Analysis of the inbreeding level in the Polish population of the Alpine Dachsbracke dog breed in the years 2000-2016

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse the level of inbreeding in the Alpine Dachsbracke dog breed. The research was conducted using pedigrees of 405 individuals of this breed (195 male and 210 female), born in the years 2000-2016. The inbreeding coefficients (Fx) were estimated based on four-generation pedigrees. The individual inbreeding coefficients ranged from 0% to 25%. The average inbreeding coefficient for the population was 2.25% and did not differ between sexes (P>0.05). For 49.4% of individuals, the mean Fx value was 4.55%. The Fx values between years of birth were highly significant (P<0.0001). The trend analysis showed no significant changes in Fx during the period analysed. The mean inbreeding coefficient in the Polish population of Alpine Dachsbracke dogs was not high, but attention should be paid to the inbreeding coefficients of certain individuals, and mating of closely related individuals should be avoided.