title: Inbreeding impact on litter size and survival in selected canine breeds.
abstract: Data obtained from the French Kennel Club and the Fichier National Canin were used to estimate the effect of inbreeding on average litter size and survival in seven French breeds of dog. Depending on the breed, litter sizes were 3.5-6.3 puppies and longevities were 7.7-12.2 years. Estimated heritabilities were 6.0-10.9% for litter size and 6.1-10.1% for survival at 2 years of age. Regression coefficients indicated a negative effect of inbreeding on both individual survival and litter size. Although the impact of baseline inbreeding within breeds appears to be limited, the improper mating of close relatives will reduce biological fitness through significant reduction of litter size and longevity.
authors.affiliation: AgroParisTech, UMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Paris F-75231, France; INRA, UMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas F-78352, France. Electronic address: gregoire.leroy@agroparistech.fr.
authors.forename: Grégoire
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leroy
authors.affiliation: AgroParisTech, UMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Paris F-75231, France; INRA, UMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas F-78352, France.
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Phocas
authors.affiliation: CNRS/Université de Rennes, UMR 6061Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes, Rennes F-35065, France.
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hedan
authors.affiliation: AgroParisTech, UMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Paris F-75231, France; INRA, UMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas F-78352, France.
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verrier
authors.affiliation: AgroParisTech, UMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Paris F-75231, France; INRA, UMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas F-78352, France.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rognon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007178:Inbreeding; D008098:Litter Size; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy
keywords: Canine; Inbreeding depression; Litter size; Longevity; Survival