Estimating Heritability

Abstract

Historically, dog breeders have tended to lean more toward the art than the science of breeding. These days, however, the use of scientific techniques appears to be gaining ground. One such systematic approach to breeding is the heritability estimate. Actually, the heritability estimate is not so much an approach as it is another tool in the breeder's bag of tricks. On the surface, it's a fairly straightforward idea. "The heritability estimate is a mathematical calculation of how likely it is that a given trait will occur in the next generation," explains Dr. Carmen Battaglia, a breeder and leading proponent of heritability estimates, whose next book on canine genetics will include an expanded chapter on the topic.