Genetic aspects of performance in working dogs.

Abstract

Abstract Understanding the genetic aspects of performance in working dogs (military working dogs, law enforcement dogs, search and rescue dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, hunting dogs, farm dogs and sled dogs) is a vastly complex area of research. It is common knowledge that the selective breeding of dogs for specific traits is based upon genetic heritability. This chapter aims to give a detailed account of what encompasses a working dog, ranging from the tasks they perform, to physiological factors, and, more recently, to the genetics behind these hardworking canines.