Merging pedigree databases to describe and compare mating practices and gene flow between pedigree dogs in France, Sweden and the UK

This exciting research paper is from a PhD project involving several of our IPFD Partners and collaborators.

It is the first step towards being able to access the vast data sources of various kennel clubs and to combine data across countries.

Published in the 

J Anim Breed Genet. 2017 Apr;134(2):152-161. doi: 10.1111/jbg.12242. Epub 2016 Nov 10.

Merging pedigree databases to describe and compare mating practices and gene flow between pedigree dogs in France, Sweden and the UK
S. Wang1,2,3, G. Leroy2,3, S. Malm4, T. Lewis5,6, E. Strandberg1 & W.F. Fikse1
1 Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
2 Genetique Animale et Biologie Integrative, AgroParisTech, Paris, France
3 Genetique Animale et Biologie Integrative, Paris, INRA, Paris, France    
4 Swedish Kennel Club, Spanga, Sweden
5 The Kennel Club, London, UK
6 School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK  

Summary
Merging pedigree databases across countries may improve the ability of   
kennel organizations to monitor genetic variability and health-related
issues of pedigree dogs. We used data provided by the Societe Centrale
Canine (France), Svenska Kennelklubben (Sweden) and the Kennel Club (UK)
to study the feasibility of merging pedigree databases across countries and
describe breeding practices and international gene flow within the following
four breeds: Bullmastiff (BMA), English setter (ESE), Bernese mountain             
dog (BMD) and Labrador retriever (LBR). After merging the databases, genealogical parameters and founder contributions were calculated according to the birth period, breed and registration country of the
dogs. Throughout the investigated period, mating between close relatives, measured as the proportion of inbred individuals (considering only two generations of pedigree), decreased or remained stable, with the exception   
of LBR in France. Gene flow between countries became more frequent, and the origins of populations within countries became more diverse over time.

In conclusion, the potential to reduce inbreeding within purebred      
dog populations through exchanging breeding animals across countries was confirmed by an improved effective population size when merging populations from different countries.

Wang_et_al-2016-Journal_of_Animal_Breeding_and_Genetics.pdf