The huge variety of animal and other species that we see today, together with those now extinct, evolved by the process of natural selection. The key to natural selection, and to the artificial selection practised by breeders, is the inherited variation in many characteristics that exists between...

This chapter discusses approaches to predicting breeding values and presents an outline of the steps that are required to obtain the most appropriate breeding values for any species. This process of predicting breeding values is often termed genetic evaluation.

This article describes the different types of mating and selective breeding systems in horses.

In this chapter the selection criteria for reproductive competence in the mare which often is referred to as breeding soundness evaluation (BSE)which includes: history; temperament; age; general conformation and condition; reproductive tract examination (external and internal); infections; blood...

This chapter discusses the criteria and techniques that can be used in the selection for reproductive competence in stallions that have met performance selection criteria. Reproductive physiology and some of the causes of infertility in the stallion and the methods by which they can be investigated ...

This third edition provides basic information on genetics in an easy-to-understand format. As before, the book includes introductory chapters on basic genetics that review terminology and fundamental concepts. At the same time, the text contains very specific information about the DNA variants...

This chapter presents the classification of cats based on their lineage, common name and species of cats. A brief history on African wild cats (most likely the ancestors of the domestic cat) was discussed as well as domestication of cats which probably began around 10 000 years ago in a region of...

Guidelines in choosing a cat as pet were presented highlighting the different reasons for wanting to own a cat as well as health benefits of pet ownership.

This chapter deals with genomic prediction and genome-wide association studies in beef and dairy cattle. Topics discussed include conventional pedigree-based prediction, prediction using genomic information, validation of predictive ability, understanding predictive ability, blending genomic and...

The basic model and assumptions governing genetic evaluation are presented in this chapter, together with simple situations involving prediction of breeding values from the records of an individual. Moreover, the introduction and use of selection indices to predict genetic merit combining...