Selective breeding

• Selective breeding, also known as artificial selection, is a process used to improve the desirable traits of plants and animals.
• The impact of selective breeding on food plants and domesticated animals has been significant.
• Selective breeding has produced dogs that are gentle natured.
• Domestic dogs have been selectively bred to have a gentle nature.
• Food crops such as wheat have been selectively bred to be resistant to disease.
• Animals such as cows have been selectively bred to produce more meat or milk.
• Certain plants have been selectively bred to produce large or unusual flowers.
• Selective breeding is carried out in stages: a mixed population of cows is taken, the largest male and female are selected, these are bred together, and the offspring are selected and bred together.
• The process of selective breeding continues until all the offspring are large.
• The disadvantage of selective breeding is that if closely related animals or plants are bred together, it can lead to inbreeding, which can cause some breeds to be prone to disease or inherited defects.
• Dog breeds have been selectively bred for hundreds of generations and many dog breeds develop inherited disorders such as joint problems, heart disease, or epilepsy.