For animal breeders coat color genetics is one of the fundamental elements of breeding, along with health and conformation. Breeders need to know about coat color for showing purposes and where the fibre is used in industry, for example sheep and alpaca wool. Breeding for coat color is complicated because many dominant and recessive traits interact to produce the base coat color. Alleles for these occur in pairs, so that the phenotype, or visual appearance, does not always reflect the underlying genotype. Practical Color Genetics for Livestock Breeders is a guide for breeders on the biology behind coat color in large animals directing breeders on how to implement breeding strategies to achieve desired results.

Bringing together the experience of three top academic experts in breeding procedure, this up-to-date second edition of Managing Breeds for a Secure Future examines breeding and genetics at a level accessible to all. This new edition has been revised to cover emerging debates in animal breeding and includes domestic species such as dogs and horses.The authors skilfully use a clear discussion of theoretical genetics to explain its practical applications to a wide audience of livestock and domestic animal breeders. Specific examples are provided throughout to illustrate how decisions regarding breeding and management relate back to genetic theory.Advice is given on all areas pertaining to the process of responsible breed management from selecting pairs and mating systems to registry functions and long-term management. Current topics of interest covered include: breeding for robustness and disease resistance, international movement of livestock, and preserving endangered breeds. Breed associations are also discussed in depth with particular emphasis on how reducing common conflicts can secure the future of breeds for generations to come.This practical book offers a comprehensive examination of breeding practices aimed at livestock and dog breeders of all abilities and experience levels. The first edition was published by The Livestock Conservancy.

Long-term management of rare breeds is a complicated endeavour, and strategies for success have been detailed in the first and second edition of Managing Breeds for a Secure Future. For many the challenge of knowing exactly what to do when very short-term actions are needed to rescue a numerically small population of animals remains. Such situations point to a need for a specific set of recipes that can be followed in different situations in order to assure successful outcomes. This new edition addresses that need. Each rare breed rescue comes with its own array of specific problems, but several general concepts run through all of them. These concepts provide a good framework for breed rescue work. This book relies on these concepts in order to help breeders chart a course when confronted with a rare population (breed or bloodline) that faces immediate threat of loss. Some of the updates to new edition include: * Biological Issues * Population Analysis * Pedigree-based Analyses * Managing a Genetic Defect * General Rescue Principles Managing Breeds for a Secure Future Third Edition is an expanded version of the second edition. It is re-organized to flow better, and has additional chapters on specific breeding protocols for maintaining breeds. It also delves more deeply into rescuing rare populations, through both theory and practice.

Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding describes breeds of livestock worldwide as well as a range of breed-related subjects such as husbandry, health and behaviour. This definitive and prestigious reference work presents easily accessible information on domestication (including wild ancestors and related species), genetics and breeding, livestock produce and markets, as well as breed conservation and the cultural and social aspects of livestock farming. Written by renowned livestock authorities, these volumes draw on the authors' lifelong interest and involvement in livestock breeds of the world, presenting a unique, comprehensive and fully cross-referenced guide to cattle, buffalo, horses, pigs, sheep, asses, goats, camelids, yak and other domesticants. Volume 1: contains asses, camelids, cattle, goats, horses and pigs Volume 2: contains sheep, water buffalo, yak and other livestock Coverage: Breed descriptions: including groups, types and varieties, history and links between groups, livestock products and trends for creating new breeds Wild species: ancestral and relatives, potential domesticants and hybridization Humans and breeds: spread of domestication, transhumance and pastoralism, social and cultural influences, suitability of different groups for different human purposes Genetics and Conservation: a dedicated section and glossary of terms Placing breeds in a practical agricultural context, this two volume encyclopedia will be of great value to agriculturalists, breeders, geneticists, biologists, rural historians, conservationists, ecologists, and all those who are interested in the rich diversity of livestock breeds.

Breeding Better Dogs: Genetics and Reproduction delves into the biology of managing reproduction in dogs, from mating to whelping and the first few weeks of life. It also delves into the genetic management of dog breeds and selection procedures to aid breeders in producing sound, useful dogs. The book includes: details of managing the genetic structure of breeds and genetic management of individual breeding programs details of managing dogs that are used for breeding details of mating dogs, managing pregnancies and whelping This book is an excellent resource for dog breeders. Providing an accessible approach to a complex subject, Breeding Better Dogs breaks down into digestible chunks the essential information for understanding the subject at a broad level.