In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Kate Graham from Katalyst Kennels about breeding detection dogs.
Science Highlight: Effects of maternal investment, temperament, and cognition on guide dog success
What health testing is important in the field?
- Pay attention to health conditions in the breed, like orthopedics (OFA hips and elbows), echocardiograms, and eyes
- Look at the breadth of pedigree, not just the dog itself
- General genetic testing to find carriers
What about successful sporting dogs with less-solid pedigrees?
- Looking for dogs that work independently, highly motivated, and handler resilient in terms of performance
- Then see if the health-related issues can be bred with a complimentary pedigree
- Behavioral issues are not worth the risk
- Sometimes this won’t be successful, but other times it will be
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Kate Graham: Website | Instagram | Facebook
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