Genetic analyses of hunting traits in leashed and non-leashed test systems in Norwegian Elkhound

ABSTRACT

Norwegian Elkhound Grey is used for both leashed and non-leashed tracking. This study provides influence of fixed effects and estimates of genetic parameters of traits related to both types of tracks. In total, 5393 records from 1991 animals tested in the years 1995–2014 on lashed performance (5 traits), and 5405 records from 2070 animals tested in the years 2005–2014 on non-leashed performance (10 traits) were included in the dataset. The pedigree file contained 8623 animals. Heritabilities were generally low for the non-leashed traits and a bit higher for the leashed traits. Genetic correlations within trait group were very highly positive for the leashed dog traits, but variable among some traits in the non-leashed group. Genetic correlations between performance traits in the two groups were generally negative and unfavourable. Genetic trends were generally positive for the time periods.