--- In Ferret-Genetics@yahoogroups.com, William Killian <killian@z...>
wrote:
> These genes are not as well understood in ferrets as they are in
> other species due to sloppiness of breeders.

Geez, Bill, that's a little harsh, isn't it? Granted, you have been
breeding for many years, and you know far more breeders than I do, but
I'm not sure that "sloppiness" is the right word here. Educate me!

I, myself, would certainly call it "sloppiness" if a breeder was not
keeping accurate records of parentage, or if a breeder's records of
parents and progeny did not contain accurate descriptions of the
important characteristics of the animals (color, pattern, size, shape,
weight, temperament, milk production, speed over a quarter-mile
course, or anything else that's important to the species being bred).
Are these record-keeping issues a problem with many ferret breeders?

OTOH, if dozens of breeders are collecting perfectly accurate records,
but the records cannot be gathered into a central database for genetic
analysis, then the problem is not "sloppiness", but politics.
Further, if breeders are collecting perfectly accurate records, but
the populations are very small, then the problem is not "sloppiness",
but statistical inaccuracy.

Much of what is claimed to be known about the color genetics of, say,
dogs and horses is not as scientifically established as some would
like us to believe. (Though it IS better known than what we know
about ferret color genetics.) There is much left to learn.

However, breeders of horses, cattle, dogs and some other species at
least have the advantage of producing dozens or hundreds of progeny
per year. This provides enough data to begin answering genetic
questions, especially when many of the breeders pool their data by
forming registry associations. But, except for outfits like Marshall
or Path Valley, how many ferret breeders produce more than one or two
litters per year?

Of course, one could also ask whether color genetics should be our
first priority for investigation, or whether we would be better off
investigating the genetic aspects of such things as health, longevity,
and temperament (docility).

Brett

*SLMW 1.0* A ferret at rest cannot be stopped.