Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals

Behavior is shaped by both genetics and experience--nature and nurture. This book synthesizes research from behavioral genetics and animal and veterinary science, bridging the gap between these fields. The objective is to show that principles of behavioral genetics have practical applications to agricultural and companion animals.

The continuing domestication of animals is a complex process whose myriad impacts on animal behavior are commonly under-appreciated. Genetic factors play a significant role in both species-specific behaviors and behavioral differences exhibited by individuals in the same species. Leading authorities explore the impact of increased intensities of selection on domestic animal behavior. Rodents, cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, herding and guard dogs, and poultry are all included in these discussions of genetics and behavior, making this book useful to veterinarians, livestock producers, laboratory animal researchers and technicians, animal trainers and breeders, and any researcher interested in animal behavior.

Includes four new chapters on dog and fox behavior, pig behavior, the effects of domestication and horse behaviorSynthesizes research from behavioral genetics, animal science, and veterinary literatureBroaches fields of behavior genetics and behavioral researchIncludes practical applications of principles discovered by behavioral genetics researchersCovers many species ranging from pigs, dogs, foxes, rodents, cattle, horses, and cats

Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals, 2e

Temple Grandin, editor

Chapter 1. Behavioral Genetics and Animal Science   Temple Grandin & Mark Deesing

  Chapter 2. Behavioral Genetics and the Process of Animal Domestication   Per Jensen

  Chapter 3. Fear and Fearfulness in Determining Behavior   Alain Boissy

Chapter 4. Genetics and Behavior during Handling, Restraint and Herding

Temple Grandin & Mark Deesing

Chapter 5. Maternal and Reproductive Behavior of Livestock

  Peter Chenoweth

Chapter 6. Differences in the Behavior of Dog Breeds

  Kathryn Lord, Raymond Coppinger, and Lorna Coppinger

Chapter 7. Genetic Effects on Horse Behavior

Temple Grandin & Mark Deesing

Chapter 8. Improving the Adaptability of Animals by Selection

  J.M. Faure & A.D. Mills

Chapter 9. Genetics and the Behavior of Chickens: Welfare and Productivity

  William Muir & Heng wei Cheng

Chapter 10. Continuation of the Russian Fox Experiments

  Anna V. Kukekova, Lyudmila N. Trut, Gregory M. Acland, & K. Gordon Lark

Chapter 11. Behavior Genetics Important for Pig Welfare

  Lotta Rydhmer & Laurianne Canerio

Chapter 12: Genetics and Animal Welfare

  Temple Grandin & Mark Deesing