Genetics and behavior: a guide for practitioners.
Phenotyping behavior is difficult, partly because behavior is almost always influenced by environment. Using objective terms/criteria to evaluate behaviors is best; the more objective the assessment, the more likely underlying genetic patterns will be identified. Behavioral pathologies, and highly desirable behavioral characteristics/traits, are likely complex, meaning that multiple genes are probably involved, and therefore simple genetic tests are less possible. Breeds can be improved using traditional quantitative genetic methods; unfortunately, this also creates the possibility of inadvertently selecting for covarying undesirable behaviors. Patterns of behaviors within families and breed lines are still the best guidelines for genetic counseling in dogs.
10 County Lane, Glen Mills, PA 19342, USA. Electronic address: overall.karen@gmail.com.
Karen L
KL
Overall
Canine Genomics Research Group, Research Program's Unit, Molecular Neurology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Katriina
K
Tiira
JBSA-Lackland, 1219 Knight Street, San Antonio, TX 78236, USA.
Desiree
D
Broach
PO Box 168, Sartell, MN 56377, USA.
Deborah
D
Bryant
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D001947:Breeding; D004285:Dogs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005838:Genotype; D018634:Veterinarians
Behavioral genetics; Canine; Cat behavior; Dog behavior; Feline; Personality; Temperament