Animal Breeding and Genetics , Introduction

Informal animal breeding started thousands of years ago when hunter-gatherers started domesticating animals. Out of thousands of species available only few were domesticated as the requirements for domestication were numerous: plant diet, fast growth rate, ability to breed in captivity, good disposition, little tendency to panic, and ability to function well in groups [1]. An ancient farmer/herder took special care of well-behaving animals that provided good growth, or plenty of milk, or reliable draft, or lots of wool, etc., while eliminating the troublesome ones. The domestication greatly increased the nutritional output per unit of land although it also brought new problems, e.g., new diseases and wars. These problems were smaller than the benefits of the domestication as hunter-gatherers mostly disappeared. Some of the benefits could be due to a positive effect of animal products on IQ [2].

The natural selection maximizes survival under the natural conditions. Under domestication,...