Advancing Genetic Selection and Behavioral Genomics of Working Dogs Through Collaborative Science

Abstract

The ancient partnership between people and dogs is struggling to meet modern day needs, with demand exceeding our capacity to safely breed high-performing and healthy dogs. New statistical genetic approaches and genomic technology have the potential to revolutionize dog breeding, by transitioning from problematic phenotypic selection to methods that can preserve genetic diversity while increasing the proportion of successful dogs. To fully utilize this technology will require ultra large datasets, with hundreds of thousands of dogs. Today, dog breeders struggle to apply even the tools available now, stymied by the need for sophisticated data storage infrastructure and expertise in statistical genetics. Here, we review recent advances in animal breeding, and how a new approach to dog breeding would address the needs of working dog breeders today while also providing them with a path to realizing the next generation of technology. We provide a step-by-step guide for dog breeders to start implementing estimated breeding value selection in their programs now, and we describe how genotyping and DNA sequencing data, as it becomes more widely available, can be integrated into this approach. Finally, we call for data sharing among dog breeding programs as a path to achieving a future that can benefit all dogs, and their human partners too.

Genome scanning of behavioral selection in a canine olfactory detection breeding cohort

“…The replication of this study in other working dog populations will be critical to decisions about whether and how to incorporate these markers into breeding strategies. If genome wide polygenic risk could be measured in well-powered cohorts, genomic estimated breeding values built on that would likely surpass the efficiency of methods based on pedigree or phenotype 4 .…”

“…3 ), and working dogs at US federal agencies can cost approximately $50,000 or more. As demand for such dogs grows, there is increasing interest in improving their training success rate and performance 4 . Historically, most research on working dog training has studied behavior and temperament, but cognitive analyses are becoming more common and functional magnetic resonance imaging in awake dogs has been applied to this question 5 (reviewed by 2 ).…”

“…For the few loci in which only one gene is primarily implicated, the biological relevance is consistent with behavior. We discuss the potential of such studies to improve the working dog population 4 and advance the understanding of complex behavioral systems.…”

Identification of Genetic Risk Factors for Monogenic and Complex Canine Diseases

“…Our final example of complex genetics is behavior. Though not a disease, there is an unmet need to address the heritable component of behaviors that disqualify working dogs from service (129)(130)(131)(132), prevent pet rehoming (133), or emerge with aging/cognitive decline (8). Like in CHD and skull morphology, success in this area will require rigorous, individualized phenotyping and dense genotyping to capture rare alleles.…”

Study on the quality indicators of apple varieties grown at low level under-grafted M-9

“…The development of new fruit plant varieties with high quality and commercial indicators, particularly those with adequate resistance to fungal diseases and abiotic stresses, is a top priority selection direction around the world [3,4]. The complexity of research and involvement of various specialists: breeders, variety scientists, biochemists, immunologists, and others, as well as selection, creation, and involvement in hybridization of valuable initial parental forms, and in-depth study of the obtained new, genetically diverse breeding material, are inextricably linked to the successful creation of new varieties and forms, and finding solutions to this breeding problem [5,6,7]. Visual features such as appearance, size, uniformity, color, and freshness, as well as non-visual attributes such as taste, aroma, flavor, firmness (texture), nutritional content, and healthiness, impact the attractiveness of fruit to consumers [8,9].…”