Talk:Crossbreed

Article cleanup

In the introduction -
"While crossbreeding is used to maintain health and viability of animals, irresponsible crossbreeding can also produce animals of inferior quality or dilute a purebred gene pool to the point of extinction of a given breed of animal."
This sentence seems to convey a sentiment of the author, as it is. You may need to explain the context of "inferior quality", or find a more tone neutral way to communicate what you mean.
Autumnox (talk) 14:18, 16 December 2010 (UTC)

I've edited this section, and removed this statement.

Autumnox (talk) 20:01, 1 January 2011 (UTC)

Under "Cattle" -
"In cattle, there are systems of crossbreeding. One is used when the purebred females are particularly adapted to a specific environment, and are crossed with purebred bulls from another environment to produce a generation of superior animals."
Once again, it's only the author's subjectivity that is conveyed here, since "superior animals" has no context.
Autumnox (talk) 14:23, 16 December 2010 (UTC)

I've edited this section, and re-worded this statement, in a more neutral tone.

Autumnox (talk) 20:01, 1 January 2011 (UTC)

Under "Llamas" -
"Crossbreeds of classic and wooly breeds of llama may not result in the desired type, and "Results are worst when crosses are bred to crosses ."[3]"
I've removed this since the statement does not say much (may/may not; desire type?; Results are worst?), and the reference site does not exist.
Autumnox (talk) 20:06, 1 January 2011 (UTC)

I restored this material, as your edits actually removed any discussion of the disadvantages of crossbreeding. However, the article would benefit from additional sources, so I added a ref improve tag. Please don't blank material, it's more appropriate to tag it and then discuss. Copyediting for proper clarity is also valuable, but wholesale blanking is ill-advised. Montanabw^(talk) 21:19, 1 January 2011 (UTC)

Will bear that in mind.

Autumnox (talk) 13:14, 7 January 2011 (UTC)

Tagged the following phrase in the introduction irresponsible crossbreeding can also produce animals of inferior quality as [clarification needed]

Llamas Section:

Re-worded entry -

Crossbreeds of classic and wooly breeds of llama may not result in the desired type, and "Results are worst when crosses are bred to crosses .

to

Crossbreeding classic and woolly breeds of llama may result in offspring lacking desired qualities of either, or both, parents. Lack of these desired qualities are most pronounced in offspring where both parents are crossbreeds.

Tagged the citation as broken.

Autumnox (talk) 14:53, 7 January 2011 (UTC)

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘That was all very helpful, thanks. I agree that the llama stuff needs citations. The whole article would benefit from a general cleanup and more footnotes. Looks like you've got the motivation, let me know if you need help! Montanabw^(talk) 17:48, 7 January 2011 (UTC)

I've edited the citation URL (http://home.att.net/~lostcreekllamas/classic.html) to http://lostcreekllamas.com/classic.htm (working URL).

After reviewing the source, the statement (whether the original, or my re-wording) used in this article seems like a misinterpretation of the source information. I've edited the entry to better reflect the source information.

Autumnox (talk) 00:46, 8 January 2011 (UTC)

Good work! You are on the right track. The trick is to work on good sources per WP:V. The farm sites vary a lot in quality, but where you can find sources from University and County Extension materials, those are particularly good. Montanabw^(talk) 03:18, 8 January 2011 (UTC)

Crossbreed vs hybrid

What is the differences between the terms crossbread and hybrid? Or are they actually synonyms, but the term crossbreed is more used in contexts like breeding etc? --AHA2 (talk) 13:50, 8 January 2011 (UTC)

I'm oversimplifying, but basically, a crossbreed is within a subspecies or species, a hybrid crosses two different subspecies. Hybrids (plant or animal) are usually sterile. Crossbreeds are generally fertile and will inturn pass on their combined traits to their offspring. In equines, for example, the Anglo-Arabian is a crossbreed, the mule is a hybrid. Montanabw^(talk) 03:20, 9 January 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for the answer Montanabw! But when you say that a crossbreed is "within a subspecies or species" I get a little confused. Doesnt it just have to be within a subspecies (or lower taxa) to be a crossbred? --AHA2 (talk) 16:03, 13 January 2011 (UTC)

I'm not a taxonomist, so I want to stay out of trouble with those folks and not confuse the terms! LOL! Basically, a donkey is equus asinus and a horse is equus caballus. They can mate and produce offspring but the offspring are sterile hybrids. Ditto for coyotes, wolves and dogs, all canines, but different taxonomy, yet they can mate AND produce hybrid offspring that are not sterile (like the Eastern coyote). Both types of animals -- canine and equine -- are hybrids. On the other hand, you can cross a poodle and a lab to get a labradoodle and that's a crossbred. Ditto crossing two members of equus caballus to get, say, a Welara, also a crossbred. So I'll let the taxonomists explain the nuances between species and subspecies, I just know one when I see one! LOL! Montanabw^(talk) 19:36, 13 January 2011 (UTC)