1932 ANNUAL REPORT, 1931 \7 



Principles of Breeding 



In the past very little consideration has been given to the principles of 

 breeding fur-bearing animals. The accepted principles of breeding adapt them- 

 selves very readily to the improvement in the quality of mink, fox and other 

 fur-bearing animals. The principles of selection and line breeding can be 

 followed with excellent results by those who have a knowledge of the subject. 

 Much of the literature written on breeding is highly technical and consequently 

 confusing to many readers. However, if certain principles are clearly understood 

 the practical rancher should experience very little difficulty in putting them 

 into operation with his own breeding stock. 



When one considers the mating of two animals, he tries to determine what 

 characteristics the offspring from the mating will possess. The results obtained 

 depend upon the ability of the breeder to select two animals which are capable 

 of producing young which will at least be equal in merit to themselves and with 

 the expectations that they may be better. The skilful breeder has the ability, 

 through his knowledge and experience in selecting animals, to detect defects 

 in the parents as well as the desirable points. Until this ability has been acquired 

 there is little hope of continued and steady improvement in the quality of the 

 animals at hand. 



The important factor which should be given due consideration when selecting 

 stock for mating purposes, is a knowledge of the blood lines of the animals that 

 are to be mated together. This is of great value because it gives a clue to 

 the weak and the strong points found in the different ancestors of the individual 

 animals. we are attempting to select. If there are weak points of a similar nature 

 found in the ancestors of both the male and the female we are going to mate 

 together, it can readily be seen that it would be inadvisable to mate them; 

 the weak points have a double chance of becoming intensified in the offspring. 

 On the other hand strong or desirable points have the same chance of showing 

 up in the offspring. 



\^ery little progress in breeding can be made unless proper attention is 

 given to the feeding and care of the animals. Undeveloped, weak, narrow 

 chested and deformed individuals have very little resistance to disease and 

 parasites, because of improper care and ill-nourishment. The breeding of such 

 animals would be folly in an attempt to improve the quality of the stock. 



In animal breeding, specific characters are often transmitted with great 

 exactness from generation to generation. We often observe a distinct peculiarity 

 or likeness such as a certain size, shape or colour repeatedly passed from a parent 

 to its offspring or as this characteristic is often spoken of as "running in the 

 family." This resemblance among individuals related by descent is called 

 heredity. The resemblance between the members of groups of various sizes, 

 races, families or small groups of individuals can often be shown to be due 

 chiefly to relationship and hence to heredity. Whatever characteristics an 

 animal possesses so far as inheritance is concerned, are traceable to its parents. 



Inheritance is from the race and not from any individual or group of 

 individuals. Inherited characteristics come from both parents and have been 

 passed down the line of descent with each succeeding generation. The\' are 

 handed down unchanged from generation to generation. Females which have 

 a tendency to produce a large number of young at a birth are dependent to some 

 extent on the inheritance from the mother. Such a quality is very desirable 

 in selecting breeding stock and should not be lost sight of when choosing 

 breeding stock. 



In animal breeding, we have the term "variation" which is the tendency 

 to depart or differ in any particular, from others of their kind. X'ariation is said 



