Big dogs

[TFX]

I commend you for being dedicated enough to go down the untraveled path Evolution!

[tasoschatz]

Has the role of epigenetics taken into account, or to be fair, can be recognised to a certain degree this role? A dog is judged as worth for breeding after a certain age, by which time epigenetics will have participate in this organism's attitude and development.
Would you say that for eg a male will produce different results as breeding material at the age of three compared to the age of nine?
Finally, if cost isn't an issue, and assuming that at a younger age a dog will pass better genetic material, always because of epigenetics, would it be logical for a breeder to store semen from an early age and dispose in the future, or use, according to the dog's achievements?

[evolutionkennels]

Do you believe genetics are malleable? Meaning can environment and other outside factors have an altering effect on the genes?

Has the role of epigenetics taken into account, or to be fair, can be recognised to a certain degree this role? A dog is judged as worth for breeding after a certain age, by which time epigenetics will have participate in this organism's attitude and development.
Would you say that for eg a male will produce different results as breeding material at the age of three compared to the age of nine?
Finally, if cost isn't an issue, and assuming that at a younger age a dog will pass better genetic material, always because of epigenetics, would it be logical for a breeder to store semen from an early age and dispose in the future, or use, according to the dog's achievements?

Yes... that's a very good point... the added expense would be that you have to store the semen earlier on.. the good thingies that if something happens to him, you have semen stored... it's gonna be an expensive experiment, but then again, I've always paid for what I want.

[Abe]

Evo I hope you continue to make your findings public for us laymen's !

[evolutionkennels]

Thanks fellas