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.

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.