Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Many pedigree dogs are suffering from inherited diseases or personality disorders caused by selective breeding. The Swedish lapphund is a breed that has been suffering from some loss of genetic variation due to the heavy use of only a few males. Concerns have arisen and crossbreeding has been discussed as a way to manage gene loss. Four breeds has been taken into consideration for this purpose; schipperke, finish lapphund, Norwegian buhund and Norwegian elkhound, black. These breeds has been tested theoretical by a comparison of mentality and health. The aim of this study is to investigate mentality and health in the breeds and perhaps find a good match for the Swedish lapphund. In Holstein cows a crossbreeding has shown to have a positive effect on the welfare on offspring considering fertility and survival. Risks with crossbreeding consists of the potential risk of bringing new sick alleles into a population and therefore an increase in the occurrence of inherited diseases. Mentality tests had only been carried out on schipperke, Swedish lapphund and finish lapphund and these three breeds showed a similarity in high rates of playfulness, curiosity and sociability. This suggests that a potential cross with any of these breeds would end up with an offspring similar to their parents. A very low number of Norwegian buhund and Norwegian elkhound has been examined for hip dysplasia, therefore it is hard to draw any conclusions on the health status in these breeds. The most important consideration when managing dog breeding is to maintain a sustainable population and breed healthy dogs.