Dog breed

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  (Redirected from Breed of dog)
Jump to: navigation, search
Chihuahua mix and purebred Great Dane
Chihuahua mix and purebred Great Dane

Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visiblily similar domestic dogs with characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans.[1] A dog breed reproduces with young that are closely similar in appearance and other attributes to other dogs of the same breed. [2]

A dog breed is represented by a sufficient number of individuals to stably transfer its specific characteristics over generations. Purebred dogs of same breed have similar characteristics of appearance and behavior, primarily because they come from a select set of ancestors who had the same characteristics [3].

Contents

[edit] History of Dog Breeds

Dog breeds in the modern sense (defined above) date only to the accurate documenting of pedigrees with the establishment of the English Kennel Club in 1873, in imitation of other stud book registries for cattle and horses.[4] In earlier times, little was written about dogs, although there were known dog types or landrace dogs, developed over time with minimal human intervention, to fit in with the human culture in which they lived or live.[5] [6]

The earliest book in the English language (pre-Elizabeathan English) to mention dog types was "The Boke of St. Albans", written in 1486.[7] In a book about hawking, hunting, fishing, and heraldry, the author, Juliana Berners, mentions categories of dogs: Grehoun, Bastard, Mengrell, Mastiff, Lemor, Spanyel, Raches, Kenettyes, Teroures, Butchers’ Houndes, Myddyng dogges, Tryndel taylles, Prikherid currys, and smalle ladyes’ poppees. Almost one hundred years later, another book was published in English (De Canibus Britannicus, 1576) in which the author, Johannes Caius, gathered the types of dogs into four main categories by function or use: hunting dogs, lap dogs, farm dogs, and mongrels. Sub-types of each group were also included, such as terriers and herding dogs.[8]

Many dog breeds today have names of original landrace types, such as the Border Collie. Other landrace types, such as retrievers, have been made more uniform in appearance through selective breeding, and developed into a variety of distinctive breeds.[9] Varieties of purebred dogs kept for working purposes can vary in appearance from purebred dogs of the same breed kept as showdogs and pets.[10]

New dog breeds are being continually created. They are either accidentally or purposely bred, or from newly discovered landrace types, for a specific style of work, or just for marketing purposes. The Canadian department of agriculture has strict standards for the documenting of what it calls "emerging breeds".[11] Many registries which require minimal documentation are available for registering new and existing breeds of dog.[12] In general, a dog can be proven to be of a specific breed if it is documented in the stud book of a major dog registry or breed registry.[13]

[edit] Genetics

Dog breeds can now be analyzed through genetics. Genetic markers (microsatellite markers and single-nucleotide polymorphisms) have been analyzed and a representative sample of 85 breeds were placed into four clusters, each cluster having shared ancestors. Cluster 1 is thought to be the oldest, including African and Asian dogs. Cluster 2 is mastiff type dogs; cluster 3 is herding dogs, and cluster 4 modern hunting type dogs (mostly developed in Europe in the 1800s.)[14]

Relationships uncovered through genetics may not match "official" breed histories.

Cluster 1: (thought to be older lineages) Shiba Inu, Chow Chow, Alaskan Malamute, Basenji, Shar Pei, Siberian Husky, Afghan Hound, Saluki, Tibetan Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Samoyed, Pekingese, Shih Tzu

Cluster 2: (mastiff-type) Pomeranian, Labrador Retriever, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Bullmastiff, Newfoundland, German Shepherd Dog, French Bulldog, Miniature Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Boxer, Mastiff, Bernese Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Cluster 3: (herding) St. Bernard, Greyhound, Belgian sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Borzoi, Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, Pug

Cluster 4: (modern/hunting dogs) Komondor, Whippet, Standard Poodle, Bichon Frise, Keeshond, Manchester Terrier, Norwegian Elkhound, Kuvasz, Great Dane, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Doberman Pinscher, Standard Schnauzer, Italian Greyhound, Old English Sheepdog, American Water Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, Australian Terrier, English Cocker Spaniel, Irish Setter, West Highland White Terrier, Pointer, Basset Hound, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Giant Schnauzer, Pharaoh Hound, Golden Retriever, Beagle, Bloodhound, Airedale Terrier, American Cocker Spaniel, American Hairless Terrier, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Cairn Terrier, Portuguese Water Dog, German Shorthaired Pointer, Border Collie, Bedlington Terrier, Clumber Spaniel, Ibizan Hound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Dachshund, Australian Shepherd, Chihuahua, Kerry Blue Terrier, Irish Terrier, Flat Coated Retriever, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier [15]

[edit] Dog Breed documentation

Dog breeds are documented in lists of antecedents called a stud book.[16]

Dog breeds that have been documented may be accepted into one of the major registries (kennel clubs) of dog breeds, such as the FCI, KC, AKC, UKC, and other national registries such as the Japan Kennel Club. The registry places the breed into the appropriate category, called a Group. Some Groups may be further subdivided by some registries. When the breed is fully accepted, the stud book is closed and only dogs bred from dogs in the stud book will be accepted for registration.[17] These dogs are referred to as purebred.

Dog breed clubs, especially of dogs bred for a particular kind of work, may maintain an open stud book and so may not be included in major registries. The dogs are still considered a breed. An example of this would be the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America.

Some dog breeds fit the definition of breed, especially breeds that develop naturally on islands or in isolated areas, but are few in number or have not been sufficiently documented to be registered with one of the major registries. An example of this would be the Kintamani Dog and other rare or independent breeds.

Breeds of dogs can be deliberately created in a relatively short period of time. When they breed true and have been sufficiently documented, they can be accepted by major registries. An example of this is the Cesky Terrier. [18]

[edit] Groups of dogs mistaken for breeds

Groups of dogs that may be mistaken for breeds include working dogs that are categorized by working style rather than appearance, although they may be of various ancestry and may not breed true. The difference between a named group of working dogs and a breed of dogs can be unclear. Examples would be the huntaway and other livestock dogs of New Zealand, the feist dogs of the southern United States, and the Patagonian sheepdogs of Argentina, which are collies mixed with other working dogs. [19]

Landrace dogs are another grouping that often have been named but are not considered breeds.[20] "Landrace" is a term used for early types domesticated animals, including dogs, where isolated populations of dogs are selected according to human goals; developing over time rather than through modern breeding techniques.[21] An example of a landrace dog would be the dog described as 'Basset' as early as 1585.[22] The landrace Basset was developed into the modern breeds of Dachshund and Basset Hound, as well as modern day terrier breeds.[23]

Another group of dogs that may be mistaken for breeds are first-generation crossbreds, bred for hybrid vigor (heterosis) from two purebred dogs.[24] An example of this would be the Labradoodle.[25]

Mixed breed dogs may be offered a form of registration to allow them to participate in organized dog events. Often given the name All-American or AMBOR dog, the name does not signify that dogs so registered are a breed. Dogs must be spayed or neutered to be registered.[26]

Individual dogs or small groups of dogs may use an existing breed name or be given an invented breed name and listed with little or no documentation for a fee with "registry" companies with minimal verification requirements. The dogs are then bred and marketed as a "registered" breed, sometimes as a "rare" or new breed of dogs.[27]

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1967] Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, The Merriam-Webster Editorial Staff (in English), Springfield, MA U.S.A.: G&C Merriam Company, 274. “A breed is a group of domestic animals related through common ancestors and visiblily similar in most characteristics, having been differentiated from others by human influence.” 
  2. ^ American Kennel Club. American Kennel Club Glossary. AKC.com. Retrieved on 03/26, 2008. “A domestic race of dogs (selected and maintained by humans) with a common gene pool and a characterized appearance and function.”
  3. ^ Donna L. Morden; Seranne, Ann; Wendell J. Sammet; Gasow, Julia (2004). The joy of breeding your own show dog. New York, N.Y: Howell Book House. ISBN 0764573020. 
  4. ^ (1995) The International Encyclopedia of Dogs. New York: Howell Book House, 8. ISBN 0-87605-624-9. “In the strictest sense, dog breeds date back only to the last couple of decades of the nineteenth century, or to more recent decades in this (the twentieth) century but distinct types of dogs have existed centuries earlier.” 
  5. ^ 1 Catherine Marley. What is a "Landrace". The Lhasa Apso Information Source. Retrieved on 04/08, 2008. “These animals developed their "type" from adaptation to a mix of function and the demands of the particular physical environment. ”
  6. ^ Johan Gallant; Joseph Sithole (01/01/1999). Description of the AFRICANIS landrace. Breeders in Africa website. Retrieved on 04/08, 2008. “The people to whom these dogs traditionally belong do not tend to make body contact with them. However their settlements are seldom deserted from humans, other dogs and livestock, ensuring adequate socialisation and environmental adaptation.”
  7. ^ The American Kennel Club Library. American Kennel Club website. Retrieved on 04/09, 2008.
  8. ^ Gary Rebman. [www.farreaches.org/compendium/docs/introdog.doc Introduction to Dogs in Our Period] (DOC). SCA Farreaches website. Retrieved on 04/09, 2008.
  9. ^ D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM. Livestock Guard Dogs: What is a Breed, and Why Does it Matter? (essay). Kangal Dogs website. Retrieved on 04/08/2004. “The level of uniformity varies from breed to breed as the breeders' associations decide what to include and what to exclude.”
  10. ^ Diane Jessup. "Different" breeds with the same name. Retrieved on 04/09, 2008.
  11. ^ Animal Pedigree Act 1985. Department of Justice, Canada. Retrieved on 04/09, 2008.
  12. ^ Diane Blackman. Getting a dog tips-Red Flags, Breeders you probably want to avoid (website). Dog Play. Retrieved on 04/09, 2008. “Be especially cautious of registries that complain of some imagined difficulty or expense in registering dogs through AKC.”
  13. ^ Purebred dog registrations. Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. Retrieved on 04/09, 2008. “Many puppy mills and backyard breeders are registering their dogs with invalid, Internet based registries.”
  14. ^ [Elaine A.] (September-October 2007). Genetics and the Shape of Dogs; Studying the new sequence of the canine genome shows how tiny genetic changes can create enormous variation within a single species. American Scientist (online) seven pages. www.americanscientist.org. Retrieved on 03/31, 2008.
  15. ^ [Elaine A.] (September-October 2007). Genetics and the Shape of Dogs; Studying the new sequence of the canine genome shows how tiny genetic changes can create enormous variation within a single species. American Scientist (online) page 2, chart page 4. www.americanscientist.org. Retrieved on 03/31, 2008.
  16. ^ American Kennel Club. AKC Glossary. AKC.com. Retrieved on 03/26, 2008. “A listing of dogs that have sired or produced a litter that has been registered with the AKC. With this information, a person can use Stud Book volumes to trace a dog's lineage and to produce pedigrees.”
  17. ^ American Kennel Club. AKC Glossary. AKC.com. Retrieved on 03/26, 2008. “A dog whose sire and dam belong to the same breed and who are themselves of unmixed descent since recognition of the breed.”
  18. ^ KLUB CHOVATELÙ ÈESKÝCH TERIÉRÙ (KCHCT). History of Cesky Terrier (Czech, English). Retrieved on 03/26, 2008.
  19. ^ Rorem, Linda. Herding Dog Breeds - Stockdog breeds. Herding on the Web. Retrieved on 03/26, 2008.
  20. ^ How to find a farm collie or shepherd (2001). Retrieved on 03/27/2008.
  21. ^ Don Bixby (2003). Types of Breeds. Retrieved on 03/27/2008.
  22. ^ Don Bixby (2003). History of the Basset Hound. BassetHoundRescue.com. Retrieved on 03/27/2008.
  23. ^ Marvin, John T. (1982). "2", The New Complete Scottish terrier, Second Edition, New York, New York: Howell Book House Inc., 18. ISBN 0-87605-306-1. 
  24. ^ Trump, Oscar. A look at designer dog breeds (English). Helium. Retrieved on 03/26, 2008. “It should be noted that it [Hybrid vigour or heterosis] is well regarded and recognised that hybrid vigour or heterosis effect is 'strongest' or 'highest' in the first generation of progeny produced from the crossing of the two purebred breeds”
  25. ^ Trivedi, Bijal (February 9, 2004). What's a Labradoodle—Designer Dog or Just Another Mutt? (English). National Geographic Channel. Retrieved on 03/26, 2008.
  26. ^ United Kennel Club. UKC Registration, Limited Privilege. Retrieved on 03/26, 2008.
  27. ^ Wray, Michelle (2000). Puppy Mills : What They Are and What You Can Do About Them. DORG Magazine. Retrieved on 03/26, 2008. “The AKC has now started requiring DNA testing for breeding dogs and puppies, which increases the costs to the miller dramatically, and vastly increases the chances of them getting caught for their dirty dealings and losing AKC privileges.  Does this deter the millers?  Not really.  They just turn to different registries, like the Continental Kennel Club (CKC), America’s Pet Registry (APR), and others.  Purebred papers from these sources are not worth the paper they’re printed on.  Millers don’t even have to prove they own the dogs they bred, or that they are the breed they claim.  These registries will even register mixed breeds”

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Domestic dogs
Cynology Anatomy · Origin · Communication · Barking · Intelligence · Puppy
Health Aging · Coat · Diseases · Odor · Reproduction · Skin disorders · Vaccination
Breeds List of breeds · Breeding · Mixed-breed (Mutt) · Hybrid/Crossbreed · List of hybrids
Human-dog
interaction
 Animal testing · Assistance dog · Baiting · Breed-specific legislation · Communication · Conformation Shows · Dog park · Guide dog · Intelligence · Hearing dog · Service dog · Sports · Therapy · Training · Working dog · War dog · Show dog · Fear of dogs · Dog licence · Dog food
Category · Portal
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_breed"
Personal tools