From en.wikipedia.org:
[Specific group of domestic animals] [Other uses] [date=October 2014]
[[File:Braunvieh am Simplonpass, Schweiz.jpg|thumb|Braunvieh, a dairy breed[1]
with high milk production and little milk fat]] A BREED is a specific group of
breedable domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype),
homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from
other organisms of the same species. In literature, there exist several
slightly deviating definitions.[2] Breeds are formed through genetic isolation
and either natural adaptation to the environment or selective breeding, or a
combination of the two. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to
animal husbandry and agriculture, no single, scientifically accepted
definition of the term exists.[fao] A breed is therefore not an objective or
biologically verifiable classification but is instead a term of art amongst
groups of breeders who share a consensus around what qualities make some
members of a given species members of a nameable subset.[lush]
Another point of view is that a breed is consistent enough in type to be
logically grouped together and when mated within the group produce the same
type.[3] When bred together, individuals of the same breed pass on these
predictable traits to their offspring, and this ability[snd]known as "breeding
true"[snd]is a requirement for a breed. Plant breeds are more commonly known
as cultivars. The offspring produced as a result of breeding animals of one
breed with other animals of another breed are known as crossbreeds or mixed
breeds. Crosses between animal or plant variants above the level of
breed/cultivar (i.e. between species, subspecies, botanical _variety_, even
different genera) are referred to as _hybrids_.[4]
** Breeding: selection by breeders
[Animal breeding] {{Multiple image
| direction = vertical
| width = 160
| image1 = Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig.jpg
| alt1 = dark gray, hairy Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig
| image2 = USDA ARS Meishan pig-Cropped.jpg
| alt2 = dark pink with thin black hair Meishan pig
| image3 = Pig USDA01c0116.jpg
| alt3 = Fine white haired, pink-skinned Sus scrofa
| footer_align = center
| footer = This example shows three different breeds of the domestic pig, which all vary widely in appearance.
}} The breeder (or group of breeders) who initially establishes a breed does
so by selecting individual animals from within a gene pool that they see as
having the necessary qualities needed to enhance the breed model they are
aiming for. These animals are referred to as foundation stock. Furthermore,
the breeder mates the most desirable representatives of the breed from the
breeder's point of view, aiming to pass such characteristics to their progeny.
This process is known as selective breeding. A written description of
desirable and undesirable breed representatives is referred to as a breed
standard.
** Breed characteristics
Breed specific characteristics, also known as breed traits, are inherited, and
purebred animals pass such traits from generation to generation. Thus, all
specimens of the same breed carry several genetic characteristics of the
original foundation animal(s). In order to maintain the breed, a breeder
would select those animals with the most desirable traits to achieve further
maintenance and developing of such traits. At the same time, the breed would
avoid animals carrying characteristics undesirable or not typical for the
breed, including faults or genetic defects. The population within the same
breed should consist of a sufficient number of animals to maintain the breed
within the specified parameters without the necessity of forced inbreeding.
Domestic animal breeds commonly differ from country to country, and from
nation to nation. Breeds originating in a certain country are known as
"native breeds" of that country.
** Lists of breeds
[Lists of breeds] [Domestic animal breeds]<!--Old, redundant section name.-->
{| |align="left" width="275px" valign="top"|
*** Mammals
- List of cat breeds
- List of cattle breeds
- List of dog breeds
- List of extinct dog breeds
- List of police dog breeds
- List of domestic pig breeds
- List of donkey breeds
- List of goat breeds
- List of guinea pig breeds
- List of horse breeds
- List of rabbit breeds
- List of fancy rat varieties
- List of laboratory rat strains
- List of sheep breeds
- List of water buffalo breeds
|align="left" width="275px" valign="top"|
*** Insects
- List of _Apis mellifera_ subspecies
|align="left" width="275px" valign="top"|
*** Birds
- List of chicken breeds
- List of duck breeds
- List of goose breeds
- List of pigeon breeds
- List of turkey breeds
|}
** See also
- Cultivar
- Landrace
- Plant variety (disambiguation)
- Purebred
- Race (biology)
- Selective breeding
- Subspecies
- Strain (biology)
- Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
** References
{{Reflist|refs=
[5]
[6]
}}
** Further reading
- FAO. 2007. The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources and the Interlaken Declaration. Rome. (see http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a1404e/a1404e00.htm)
- FAO. 2012. Phenotypic characterization of animal genetic resources. FAO Animal Production and Health Guidelines No. 11. Rome. (see http://www.fao.org/docrep/015/i2686e/i2686e00.htm)
- FAO. 2015. The Second Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome. (see http://www.fao.org/publications/sowangr/en/) [url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918190600/http://www.fao.org/publications/sowangr/en ]
** External links
- Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (see http://www.fao.org/cgrfa/en/) - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (see http://dad.fao.org/)
- Implementing the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources (see http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/A5.html)
- Breeds of Livestock - Oklahoma State University (see http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/)
[Breed]
[Authority control]
Category:Domesticated animals Category:Zoological nomenclature