Dogs with jobs
Is there any interest in stories about dogs doing farm jobs? It is lambing time.
Forum Discussion
Selective breeding has been used to develop the breeds of domesticated species (dogs, cats, cows, pigs, sheep, etc) where individuals with desired traits were bred and others were not. Traits like: thriving in a region (Shetland ponies), having desired work functions (German short hair pointer), or enhancing production traits (milk production of Holstein cows or fast growth rates like Suffolk sheep). Today we can a new breeding criteria for livestock: cuteness. There is a lucrative market to sell cute livestock for pets/lawn ornaments. Alpacas are one example. A new example is Valais Blacknose Sheep
(Take a look at the list of Breeds of Livestock from Oklahoma State University. Note how many different breeds there are.)
We are working towards minimizing the inputs (feed, aid during laming, need for bottle raising orphan lambs, etc) while maximizing output (total weight of live lamb produced; numbers and individual weight) after 8-10 months of pasture raising lambs. To reach these goals we select for ewes that will consistently produce and raise twins on their own; we are also selecting for ewes that do not require treatment for intestinal parasites. We are the opposite of intensive livestock farming.
(Take a look at the list of Breeds of Livestock from Oklahoma State University. Note how many different breeds there are.)
We are working towards minimizing the inputs (feed, aid during laming, need for bottle raising orphan lambs, etc) while maximizing output (total weight of live lamb produced; numbers and individual weight) after 8-10 months of pasture raising lambs. To reach these goals we select for ewes that will consistently produce and raise twins on their own; we are also selecting for ewes that do not require treatment for intestinal parasites. We are the opposite of intensive livestock farming.
