A breed is a specific group of breedable domestic animals having homogeneous appearance ( phenotype ), homogeneous behavior , and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species . In literature, there exist several slightly deviating definitions. Breeds are formed through genetic isolation and either natural adaptation to the environment or selective breeding , or a combination of the two. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry and agriculture, no single, scientifically accepted definition of the term exists. A breed is therefore not an objective or biologically verifiable classification but is instead a term of art amongst groups of breeders who share a consensus around what qualities make some members of a given species members of a nameable subset.
8-562: The Abacot Ranger is a breed of domestic duck , initially known as the Hooded Ranger and as Streicherente ('Ranger Duck', in Germany). A utility breed, originally developed for eggs and meat, it is popular for exhibition and egg production today. The Abacot Ranger was developed between 1917 and 1922 by Mr. Oscar Gray of Abacot Duck Ranch, Friday Wood, Colchester in the United Kingdom,
16-456: A gene pool that they see as having the necessary qualities needed to enhance the breed model they are aiming for. These animals are referred to as foundation stock . Furthermore, the breeder mates the most desirable representatives of the breed from his or her point of view, aiming to pass such characteristics to their progeny . This process is known as selective breeding . A written description of desirable and undesirable breed representatives
24-485: A duck (or female). Breed Another point of view is that a breed is consistent enough in type to be logically grouped together and when mated within the group produce the same type. When bred together, individuals of the same breed pass on these predictable traits to their offspring, and this ability – known as " breeding true " – is a requirement for a breed. Plant breeds are more commonly known as cultivars . The offspring produced as
32-441: A result of breeding animals of one breed with other animals of another breed are known as crossbreeds or mixed breeds. Crosses between animal or plant variants above the level of breed/cultivar (i.e. between species, subspecies , botanical variety , even different genera ) are referred to as hybrids . The breeder (or group of breeders) who initially establishes a breed does so by selecting individual animals from within
40-466: Is referred to as a breed standard . Breed specific characteristics, also known as breed traits, are inherited, and purebred animals pass such traits from generation to generation. Thus, all specimens of the same breed carry several genetic characteristics of the original foundation animal(s). In order to maintain the breed, a breeder would select those animals with the most desirable traits to achieve further maintenance and developing of such traits. At
48-515: The egg-laying trials at Bentley, and remained as such. It was initially a popular breed for egg and meat production, but soon became extinct in the United Kingdom. and the breed was then returned to the United Kingdom in the 1970s from Germany. The Abacot Ranger was accepted into the British Waterfowl Standard in 1983. The Abacot Ranger's standard weight is 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) for a drake (or male) and 2.5 kilograms (5.5 lb) for
56-484: The name of the 'Ranch' being derived from Gray's home at Abbott's Cottages. Some white 'sports' occurred among his flock of Khaki Campbell 's, and these Mr. Gray mated to white Indian Runner drakes and the progeny were named Hooded Rangers and entered at the Wye College egg-laying trials 1922–23, where they gave a good account of themselves with the highest score in their section. The name was changed to Abacot Ranger for
64-453: The same time, the breed would avoid animals carrying characteristics undesirable or not typical for the breed, including faults or genetic defects. The population within the same breed should consist of a sufficient number of animals to maintain the breed within the specified parameters without the necessity of forced inbreeding . Domestic animal breeds commonly differ from country to country, and from nation to nation. Breeds originating in
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