Managing Breeds for a Secure Future: Strategies for Breeders and Breed Associations by Phillip Sponenberg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sponenberg has given us a volume of 24k gold. It is mostly about livestock, but it covers dogs quite well, also. In all that, he manages to clearly convey the concept that the varieties of animal breeds are gene pool reservoirs for an adaptation that was appropriate somewhere, at some time. And that those genes are no longer otherwise available as the foundation stock no longer exists in the wild. And he also discusses the impacts of show breeding - and losing genes that way. And more.
He covers aspects of reviving and restoring rare breed gene pools, and just plain healthy breeding practice. The last couple of chapters go into various breeding patterns quite thoroughly.
This is a valuable volume, I would think particularly for today's revival of interest in small-farming and heritage breeds. For those people who've been breeding for 30 years, it would offer less value, but still might contain some useful nuggets. If you are involved in heritage or rare breeds, or just want to start a small-farm commercially, this deserves a place on your reading list. And it deserves a prominent place on library reference shelves.



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