Assuming no previous knowledge, the book uses a game of cards to visualise the rules that govern colour genetics, introducing terminology on the way. What are genes and alleles? What is the phenotype of a sheep? What the genotype? The reader is introduced to agouti-pattern, base colour, and spotting and strategies are shown to identifiy them in the reader's own flock. This knowledge is expanded to show how it can be used to plan breeding for certain colours. More genes that influence colour are introduced later in the book and thought is given to preserving diversity within a breed while strategically increasing the presence of desirable traits in a flock.
The book focuses on practical aspects. How to identify genotypes? Which animals should be used for test breeding? How can the knowledge be used for individual goals?

Written by a molecular biologist and science communicator and co-written by a professional editor of scientific textbooks - both of them breeders of coloured sheep - this book uses an easily understandable approach to explaining colour genetics.

Auteur
Irina Böhme:Irina Böhme was born on September 19th, 1973 in Rinteln. As a molecular biologist she worked with state-of-the-art DNA sequencing methods. In what sometimes feels like a parallel universe, she breeds sheep. Since spending time in Ireland as an Au-pair she has been fascinated with sheep. The old nordic breeds being most dear to her heart. That fascination led to travels - long and short - to some of the breeds' 'home turf': In order to learn about sheep, shepherds, their country and their history. Sheep colour genetics combines her interests in sheep and science and her passion for making scientific knowledge accessible to non-scientists.Saskia Dittgen:Saskia Dittgen was born on November 12th, 19 in Heidelberg. She made her dream come true in 2009 when she bought a smalholding in Krahne/Brandenburg. She takes care of 2 Border Collies, several cats and chickens and about 40 sheep. Saskia breeds pedigree Shetland sheep since 201. She is fascinated with colour genetics and she and Irina have been working through pedigrees of many generations of Skudde which led to the idea for a colour genetics primer. Saskia works as a freelance editor and translator for Dutch and German.