Breeding Functional Working Dogs with Dr. Jessica Heckman

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Jessica Heckman from Dog Zombie about Breeding Functional Dogs.
Science Highlight: Advancing Genetic Selection and Behavioral Genomics of Working Dogs Through Collaborative Science
What is functional breeding?

The population is no more at risk of X disease than the dog population as a whole.
Also prioritizing behavioral wellness over looks or closed stud books. No elevated risk of separation anxiety, etc.

What are common pitfalls breeding programs can run into?

Not bringing in dogs from outside of the population
You aren’t going to get to the goal and sit there - you have to keep working at it while you have it
“It's not about the first generation, it’s about the population and the direction you are moving the population towards” - Dr. Jessica Heckman

What tests are mission critical?

It depends on the breed/mix
The very first step would go to the breed club and see what tests they recommends
Then start talking to other breeders in the breed and learn about what issues the breed has
For mixed breeds, you should test for everything each purebred parent should be tested for, but it’s hard to say

Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Pet genomics medicine runs wild
Where Do Good Dogs Come From
Where to find Dr. Jessica Heckman: Website | Functional Dog Collaborative
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