Selective Breeding

Ever wonder how your dog evolved? There are more than 350 different breeds of dog, each one -from the Afghan Hound to the Pomeranian- descended from the grey wolf. Over the thousands of years, we have been shaped wolves through breeding into dogs with floppy ears, sleek coats and short noses. Exactly the opposite of their distant ancestor. This process of breeding dogs for different useful characteristics is called Selective Breeding.

In Science, we completed our own selective breeding activity. Working in pairs, the children had to decide on which two dogs would be needed to create a new breed of dog for a variety of different jobs.

The children had to explain and justify why they had chosen the two dogs and give reasons why they were the best choice for each job. Afterwards the children peer assessed each other's work.

Task:

Dog needed for racing. Must be very fast but medium sized (50cm tall). An enthusiastic worker and also a good hunter.

Kailen and Emma selected a Jack Russell and Portugeuse Water Dog. They based this on the size of the breed of the dogs. The Jack Russell is a tough little dog, full of character and good at hunting. The Portuguese Water Dog is intelligent, energetic and still bred as a sporting dog.

Toby and Lucy at first wanted to select a Greyhound but decided against this due to the height of the Dog. 

Kulsoom and Sophie H selected a Pharaoh Hound and Portuguese Water Dog. They selected the Pharaoh Hound as it was bred for hunting and the Portuguese Water Dog was energetic and still bred for sporting activities.