Determining breeding knowledge, goals and practices of Lithuanian dog breeders

* Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Questionnaires are a useful method to determine breeder’s selection strategies, knowledge, and dog breeds welfare, as well as to define the current situation. Evaluation of the situation can lead to changes in breeding policies. The aim of our work was to study the differences that could exist among dog breeders concerning their opinions and practices when dealing with breeding goals, selection tools, livestock management and reproduction methods. To achieve that, we sought to determine a breeder’s knowledge and their sources of information, breeding tendencies, breeders’ view on genetic testing methods and their motivation for breeding goals. This investigation was based on anonymous questionnaire analysis. After summarizing data, it emerged that, in general, there is a lack of information about breeding in public information sources. Majority of the Lithuanian breeders (83.7%) indicated that their breeding goal was to improve breed exterior, character and health. To achieve these goals, breeders more often choose a line-breeding strategy than the close breeding one (30.2% and 11.6%, respectively). Majority of the respondents recognized the importance of genetic testing in dog breeding.