Wayo Sci Edu
Welcome to the Wayosi Science & Education Blog, where I combine my experience in dog breeding with my academic background in molecular biology and genetics. I strive to provide scientifically grounded insights into canine health, breeding practices, and genetic diversity.
Airedale Terrier History
Explore the fascinating history of the Airedale Terrier, a versatile breed from 19th-century Yorkshire, known for its intelligence, strength, and service in roles from hunting to war dogs.
Rhodesian Ridgeback History
Explore the rich history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, originally bred in southern Africa to hunt large game. Known for its distinctive ridge of hair along its back, this versatile breed evolved into a reliable hunting companion and loyal family protector.
Why We Shouldn’t Be Worried About Residual White in Airedale Terriers
There’s much discussion in the Airedale Terrier community - and other breed communities, for that matter - about white markings on the chest, toes, or tail tip - often seen as imperfections. But before we rush to exclude these dogs [...]
What Dog Mentality Assessments Can Tell Us About Mental Traits
The Nordic Dog Mentality Assessment (DMA) tests are designed to evaluate a dog's temperament and behaviour in various controlled situations. Called MH (Mental Behaviour Dog), BPH (Behaviour and Personality Assessment) or MT/FA (Mentality Test), the tests consist of a series [...]
The Airedale Terrier’s Versatility from Working Dog to Family Companion
As the world changes, so do the roles we expect our dogs to fulfil. However, it’s crucial not to breed out the instincts that define versatile breeds like the Airedale Terrier. High-impact studies by Swedish ethologist Kenth Svartberg show that [...]
How Inbreeding is Threatening the Genetic Health of Airedale Terriers
This text is written with the Airedale Terrier in mind, but the issues discussed are relevant to any dog breed. The use of genetic data to estimate inbreeding between two dogs (using Embark's Pair Predictor) reveals that even seemingly [...]
The Norwegian Lundehund: A Cautionary Tale of Inbreeding and Genetic Fragility
The story of the Norwegian Lundehund serves as a striking example of the outer consequences of inbreeding - an issue that many breeds, such as the Airedale Terrier, are dangerously close to. With a gCOI (Genomic Coefficient of Inbreeding) of, [...]
A song – For the Future of Airedale terrier
Ready to bark and boogie for Airedale terriers? Presenting “For the Future of Airedale terrier” - the song your Airedales would sing along to if they had a mic! It’s time to take a stand, protect our breed, and make [...]
Stronger Together – a song for Ridgebacks
Get ready to wag your tail and tap your paws! «Stronger Together» is here to unite our community of Rhodesian Ridgeback lovers. So, crank up the volume, because it’s time to groove your way to a brighter, bark-tastic future [...]
Is “Form Follows Function” Really True in Dog Breeding?
Have you ever wondered if a dog’s appearance truly reflects its ability to perform the tasks it was originally bred for? The phrase “form follows function” is often thrown around in dog breeding circles, but how true is that today? [...]
Dear Fellow Airedale Terrier Owners, Breeders, and Enthusiasts
As someone born into this breed, I have loved and cherished Airedale Terriers for over 40 years. Over this time, particularly in the Nordic countries, I've observed a decline in the breed's popularity and a worrying decrease in the population. [...]
Basic Genetics
If you feel the need to brush up on your basic genetics skills, this article was published in the Rhodesian Ridgeback EU Magazine, Issue 14/2023, and describes the foundation of genetics as well as different kinds of inheritance - both [...]
The Winds Are Changing
In the Rhodesian Ridgeback EU Magazine, Issue 14/2023, there is an article titled «The Winds Are Changing», which addresses the significance of genetic diversity in dog breeding. The article discusses the importance of preserving genetic diversity for the health and [...]