Phenotypical evaluation of “Cane da Pastore delle Alpi” canine population

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the morphological traits of an autochthonous herding-dog canine population found in the Western Italian Alps and closer hilly areas, in order to define its ethnological characterization. The evolution of this breed is strictly related to flocks and herds production developed centuries ago in these regions. This population represents a valuable expression of local culture and tradition and even though not officially recognized as official ENCI-FCI breed it stimulates public interest. The study was carried out on 40 adult dogs (15 &40; 25 &42). Data were collected on a two section schedule according to official breed standards. Sixteen traits were evaluated and recorded; measurement instruments were: cinometer (height at withers: HW), tape-measure (cannon bone circumference: CB); descriptions (definitions, classes) were related to subject personal data, coat colour, coat length, percentage of white areas, eyes colour, byte, top-line, bone, head planes, skull/foreface ratio, stop and dewclaws. SAS\uae statistic package was applied to data analysis: physical measurements were analysed by ANOVA (GLM), dog sex and the interaction of sex and year of birth were the considered source of variance, morphological traits frequencies were calculated by PROC FREQ. Student\u2019s t-test was applied to the calculation of the least square means difference. No significant effects of the considered sources of variation were calculated on HW and CB, underlining a high population variability and a lack of selection strategies. Dogs HW was 58.13\ub11.03 cm, bitches HW was 55.08\ub11.29 cm (LSmeans\ub1s.e.) very close to the standard described for the officially recognized breed of Pastore Bergamasco (60.00\ub12.00 cm &42; 56\ub12.00 cm &40), an ancient Italian herding-dog with the same functions and overlapping origin areas. Calculated results draw a clear ethnographical description of Pastore delle Alpi population. These results describe the most common morphological traits of the Pastore delle Alpi underlining the links with Italian and French herding-dog breeds, and constitute a first basic step in breed official recognition