The latest trends in new breed formation and "crossbreeding" of dogs

Abstract

Since the domestication of dogs they have undergone genetic changes. The first selection was based on their abilities. Dogs that had strong powerful hind legs were used for races in the desert, the obedient and herding ones for the sheep and cow herding, the great and strong ones for war and protection, the small ones as companion for the nobility. Breeding dogs to sustain important characteristics has always played a major role in the history of dog breeding. Since the introduction of breeding books and registration of breeds the preservation of purification and improvement of synthetic breeds is a major goal of the breeding organizations worldwide. Breeding standards decide which dog has the most desirable genes to be bred and guarantees the best offspring to preserve the breed from extinction. Today more than 500 breeds are known. Within the last century a new trend has disturbed the purity of the synthetic breeds: the crossbreeding among popular synthetic breeds creates hybrids, which are unpredictable in character, appearance and genotype.