Breeding, Management and Morphological Evaluation
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course offers fundamental and comprehensive preparation on canine, feline and equine morphological and functional judgement, breeding and management, with a special focus on welfare, prevention and control of the problems that might occur on farm. Students will acquire theoretical and operational skills necessary to evaluate, breed, train and manage dogs, cats, horses and donkeys in different breeding contexts.
Learning objective of the course is also to assess, understand and analyze the hazards of their care and management in order to propose, on ethical and scientifically rigorous basis, effective and feasible solutions.
Learning objective of the course is also to assess, understand and analyze the hazards of their care and management in order to propose, on ethical and scientifically rigorous basis, effective and feasible solutions.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will have to prove that they have achieved:
1. Knowledge and understanding: the student must know and understand the main methods of judgment, breeding, management and training of dogs, cats and horses;
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: the student must be able to apply the knowledge acquired by critically discussing cases presented during the course and must be able to propose solutions that respect animal welfare and are scientifically rigorous;
3. Making judgements: the student must be able to study in a critical and proactive way, analysing the teaching material provided by the teacher and the recommended texts. The practical lessons will specifically help to develop critical and judgemental skills on problems that may be faced on-farm and on the relationships existing between different aspects of their management;
4. Communication: the student is expected to present the acquired knowledge in a clear and orderly way, using the appropriate specific terminology concerning the management of their breeding. The group work will contribute to the development of the student's ability to correctly communicate/transmit what has been learned;
5. Life-long learning: at the end of the course, which integrates theoretical and practical training, students will acquire the ability to deal more critically and autonomously with the management of their breeding, even in rapidly changing contexts other than those presented during the course.
1. Knowledge and understanding: the student must know and understand the main methods of judgment, breeding, management and training of dogs, cats and horses;
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: the student must be able to apply the knowledge acquired by critically discussing cases presented during the course and must be able to propose solutions that respect animal welfare and are scientifically rigorous;
3. Making judgements: the student must be able to study in a critical and proactive way, analysing the teaching material provided by the teacher and the recommended texts. The practical lessons will specifically help to develop critical and judgemental skills on problems that may be faced on-farm and on the relationships existing between different aspects of their management;
4. Communication: the student is expected to present the acquired knowledge in a clear and orderly way, using the appropriate specific terminology concerning the management of their breeding. The group work will contribute to the development of the student's ability to correctly communicate/transmit what has been learned;
5. Life-long learning: at the end of the course, which integrates theoretical and practical training, students will acquire the ability to deal more critically and autonomously with the management of their breeding, even in rapidly changing contexts other than those presented during the course.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites, however, in order to achieve the expected learning objectives, it is necessary to have a sufficient basic knowledge in anatomy and physiology.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Modalities of the test: written test
Type of test: The written test includes two sections (one section/module); each section includes 10 questions divided in 8 multiple-choice questions and 2 open questions. The multiple-choice questions (4 answers) consider one correct answer.
Duration: 1 hour and a half
Assessment Parameters: the test will be graded in thirtieths, the final mark corresponds to the average of the two sections.
Evaluation criteria:
- each correct answer for the multiple choice questions corresponds to 2,5 points
- as regards the evaluation of open answers, the following elements of judgment are adopted:
· 5 points: excellent and in-depth knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and perfect use of the terminology. Excellent order and synthesis.
· 3-4 points: good knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and correct use of the terminology. Good order and synthesis.
· 2-3 points: superficial knowledge of the topics. Partial clarity and sometimes imprecise use of the terminology. Acceptable order and synthesis.
· 0-1 points: the answer is severely lacking or missing entirely. Completely insufficient knowledge of the topics. Disordered exposition, devoid of scientific logic and expressed with an incorrect terminology. Inadequate order and synthesis.
Type of assessment: grade in thirtieths.
Number and types of evidence contributing to final assessment: Candidates who obtain at least 18 points in each section pass the exam.
Exams are in number of 7 in the Academic year and they are held in the months of: January, February, April, June, July, September, October according to the frequency established by the teaching college. To take the exam it is necessary that the student must register through the ONLINE SIFA.
Methods of verification differentiated between attending and non-attending students: none
Type of test: The written test includes two sections (one section/module); each section includes 10 questions divided in 8 multiple-choice questions and 2 open questions. The multiple-choice questions (4 answers) consider one correct answer.
Duration: 1 hour and a half
Assessment Parameters: the test will be graded in thirtieths, the final mark corresponds to the average of the two sections.
Evaluation criteria:
- each correct answer for the multiple choice questions corresponds to 2,5 points
- as regards the evaluation of open answers, the following elements of judgment are adopted:
· 5 points: excellent and in-depth knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and perfect use of the terminology. Excellent order and synthesis.
· 3-4 points: good knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and correct use of the terminology. Good order and synthesis.
· 2-3 points: superficial knowledge of the topics. Partial clarity and sometimes imprecise use of the terminology. Acceptable order and synthesis.
· 0-1 points: the answer is severely lacking or missing entirely. Completely insufficient knowledge of the topics. Disordered exposition, devoid of scientific logic and expressed with an incorrect terminology. Inadequate order and synthesis.
Type of assessment: grade in thirtieths.
Number and types of evidence contributing to final assessment: Candidates who obtain at least 18 points in each section pass the exam.
Exams are in number of 7 in the Academic year and they are held in the months of: January, February, April, June, July, September, October according to the frequency established by the teaching college. To take the exam it is necessary that the student must register through the ONLINE SIFA.
Methods of verification differentiated between attending and non-attending students: none
Breeding of dogs and cats
Course syllabus
The teaching program is structured in three parts. 1) The general part concerning the morpho-functional and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats, 2) The part of management techniques of breeding, the home environment and the various facilities deputed to their keeping (such as breeding, catteries, boarding houses, etc.), 3) The education and learning part and management issues addressed with respect to ethological characteristics and animal welfare. Specifically, the following topics will be covered:
Teaching (40h):
Breed domestication and evolution (3h)
Breeds, coats, conformation (8h)
Dogs and cats' identifications (1)
Breeding facilities (3h)
Management of the broodmare, stallion and puppy/kitten (6h)
Sports disciplines and activities involving cats and dogs (5h)
Environmental enrichment in household, breeding, kennel and catteries (4h)
Problems management in household, breeding and facilities for dogs and cats (4h)
Dog and cats' management during transport, travels and manipulation in different contest (3h)
Suitable and unsuitable methods of training/education (1h)
Behavior modification techniques (2h)
Praticals (16h):
The pratical activities involve: visit of breedings, dog center and kennel (n=3), classroom group exercises on specific breeding and management issues in the home environment
Teaching (40h):
Breed domestication and evolution (3h)
Breeds, coats, conformation (8h)
Dogs and cats' identifications (1)
Breeding facilities (3h)
Management of the broodmare, stallion and puppy/kitten (6h)
Sports disciplines and activities involving cats and dogs (5h)
Environmental enrichment in household, breeding, kennel and catteries (4h)
Problems management in household, breeding and facilities for dogs and cats (4h)
Dog and cats' management during transport, travels and manipulation in different contest (3h)
Suitable and unsuitable methods of training/education (1h)
Behavior modification techniques (2h)
Praticals (16h):
The pratical activities involve: visit of breedings, dog center and kennel (n=3), classroom group exercises on specific breeding and management issues in the home environment
Teaching methods
The course offers theoretical and practical approaches, the latter in the form of exercises in classroom and in kennel or facilities for the keeping and management of dogs and cats.
Lectures will be held in the classroom. The exercises will involve direct and non-direct interaction activities with dogs and cats and classroom group exercises on specific breeding issues and specific dog and cat management activities in the presence of stakeholders.
Lectures will be held in the classroom. The exercises will involve direct and non-direct interaction activities with dogs and cats and classroom group exercises on specific breeding issues and specific dog and cat management activities in the presence of stakeholders.
Teaching Resources
Teaching material used and discussed in class will be available on the MyAriel platform.
Recommended reference text for passing the exam: Julie K. Shaw, Debbie Martin. 2016. Educazione e comportamento del cane e del gatto. Manuale teorico-pratico. CEA
Recommended reference text for passing the exam: Julie K. Shaw, Debbie Martin. 2016. Educazione e comportamento del cane e del gatto. Manuale teorico-pratico. CEA
Breeding of horses
Course syllabus
The course program is divided into three parts. 1) A general part concerning the morphological and functional characteristics of equines, 2) A part on management and breeding of horses and donkeys 3) A part, concerning the suitable and unsuitable training methods. Specifically, the following topics will be covered:
Lectures (40 hours)
Equine evolution and consistency (2 hours)
Development of the equine sector (2 hrs)
Principles of safe working (2 hrs)
Breeds, coats, conformation and teeth (8 hours)
Equine identification (2 hours)
Equine breeding structures (4 hours)
Management of mare, stallion and foal (6 hours)
Equestrian disciplines (4 hours)
Foot management (2 hours)
Transport (2 hours)
Non-associative learning (2 hours)
Associative learning (2 hours)
Suitable and unsuitable training methods (2 hours)
Exercises (16 hours)
The exercise activities concern: farm outings (n=2), classroom group exercises on specific breeding problems.
Lectures (40 hours)
Equine evolution and consistency (2 hours)
Development of the equine sector (2 hrs)
Principles of safe working (2 hrs)
Breeds, coats, conformation and teeth (8 hours)
Equine identification (2 hours)
Equine breeding structures (4 hours)
Management of mare, stallion and foal (6 hours)
Equestrian disciplines (4 hours)
Foot management (2 hours)
Transport (2 hours)
Non-associative learning (2 hours)
Associative learning (2 hours)
Suitable and unsuitable training methods (2 hours)
Exercises (16 hours)
The exercise activities concern: farm outings (n=2), classroom group exercises on specific breeding problems.
Teaching methods
The course offers theoretical and practical approaches, the latter in the form of classroom and on farm practicals.
Lectures will be held in the classroom. The practicals include activities with horses and group exercises in the classroom in the presence of breeders. With regard to group works, some breeders come into the classroom and present a problem from their herd in 10 minutes. Each student chooses a topic (or, if necessary, is assigned to a topic to ensure an approximately even number on each topic). All students in a topic form a group (3-5 students), led by a tutor (usually a PhD student or research fellow).
Each group studies the chosen research topic in depth, starting with a couple of scientific papers proposed by the tutor.
- Mid-year meeting: the group, facilitated by the tutor, discusses the state of the art with respect to the problem by critically reviewing the assigned articles, and defines some hypotheses for its solution.
- End-of-year meeting: in the last week of the course, all groups present their solution to the lecturer and tutor during a presentation in which they put forward a possible solution to the problem, a critical evaluation of its potential benefits, limitations and economic impact.
In the event that there are exceptional and sensible reasons for not participating in the exercise activities, these should be reported to the lecturer, who will devise customised solutions to enable the course's learning objectives to be achieved.
Lectures will be held in the classroom. The practicals include activities with horses and group exercises in the classroom in the presence of breeders. With regard to group works, some breeders come into the classroom and present a problem from their herd in 10 minutes. Each student chooses a topic (or, if necessary, is assigned to a topic to ensure an approximately even number on each topic). All students in a topic form a group (3-5 students), led by a tutor (usually a PhD student or research fellow).
Each group studies the chosen research topic in depth, starting with a couple of scientific papers proposed by the tutor.
- Mid-year meeting: the group, facilitated by the tutor, discusses the state of the art with respect to the problem by critically reviewing the assigned articles, and defines some hypotheses for its solution.
- End-of-year meeting: in the last week of the course, all groups present their solution to the lecturer and tutor during a presentation in which they put forward a possible solution to the problem, a critical evaluation of its potential benefits, limitations and economic impact.
In the event that there are exceptional and sensible reasons for not participating in the exercise activities, these should be reported to the lecturer, who will devise customised solutions to enable the course's learning objectives to be achieved.
Teaching Resources
The teaching material will be available on the My Ariel platform.
Recommended text book:
Parker R., 2018. Equine Science (5 Ed.). Cengage Learning
Recommended text book:
Parker R., 2018. Equine Science (5 Ed.). Cengage Learning
Breeding of dogs and cats
AGR/19 - ANIMAL SCIENCE - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Cannas Simona
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Cannas Simona
Breeding of horses
AGR/19 - ANIMAL SCIENCE - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Minero Michela
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Minero MichelaEducational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday, 9am - 10 am
Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, via dell'Università 6, Lodi