1. What is the Kennel Club COI?

The Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) calculates the probability that two alleles at any locus in an individual are identical by descent. The Kennel Club formula is a standard method for estimating inbreeding in pedigree dogs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Kennel Club COI formula:

Where:

• \( n \) — Number of generations in each path back to the common ancestor
• \( F_a \) — Inbreeding coefficient of the common ancestor (0 to 1)

Explanation: The equation accounts for all paths to common ancestors, with each path's contribution decreasing exponentially with generational distance.

3. Importance of COI Calculation

Details: COI helps breeders make informed decisions to maintain genetic diversity and reduce risk of inherited disorders. Lower COI generally indicates greater genetic diversity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of paths (n) and the ancestor's inbreeding coefficient (F_a). For multiple paths, you'll need to calculate each path separately and sum the results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good COI value?
A: Ideally below 6.25% (equivalent to first cousins). Values above 10% may indicate significant inbreeding.

Q2: How do I find the number of paths (n)?
A: n is the sum of generations from the individual to the common ancestor through each parent (e.g., grandparent = 2, great-grandparent = 3).

Q3: What if I don't know F_a?
A: If unknown, assume F_a = 0 for that ancestor, though this may underestimate true COI.

Q4: How does this differ from Wright's coefficient?
A: The Kennel Club method is a simplified version specifically designed for pedigree analysis in dogs.

Q5: Should I avoid all inbreeding?
A: Some line breeding can be beneficial, but should be carefully managed with genetic testing and diversity monitoring.