1. What is the Kennel Club Breed Coefficient?

The Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) calculates the probability that two copies of a gene have been inherited from a common ancestor. It's a measure of how closely related a dog's parents were.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Kennel Club COI equation:

Where:

• \( n \) — Number of generations separating the parents from their common ancestor
• \( F_a \) — Inbreeding coefficient of the common ancestor
• The sum is taken over all common ancestors

Explanation: The equation accounts for the probability of gene inheritance through multiple generations and adjusts for existing inbreeding in ancestors.

3. Importance of COI Calculation

Details: COI helps breeders make informed decisions to maintain genetic diversity and reduce the risk of inherited disorders in dog populations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of generations back to common ancestors, the number of common ancestors, and their average inbreeding coefficient (0 for unknown).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good COI value?
A: Generally, lower is better. Values below 6.25% are considered low risk, while above 12.5% may indicate significant inbreeding.

Q2: How many generations should I include?
A: Most kennel clubs calculate COI over 5-10 generations for accuracy.

Q3: What if I don't know the ancestors' inbreeding coefficients?
A: Use 0 as a conservative estimate, which will slightly underestimate the true COI.

Q4: How does COI affect dog health?
A: Higher COI increases risk of recessive genetic disorders and may reduce overall vitality.

Q5: Can COI be negative?
A: No, COI ranges from 0% (completely unrelated) to 100% (completely inbred).