Ca Rater Mallorquí is a dog breed from the Island of Mallorca (Spain) traditionally used as a hunting and ratting dog to prevent disease spread and economic losses related to rodent activities on farms. However, the census data shows a population decline that should be addressed by implementing a conservation program. The first step to implementing a conservation plan is knowing the genetic situation of the Ca Rater Mallorquí population. Therefore, we aimed to genetically characterise the breed in our study. We analysed 33 microsatellites recommended by the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG) in 77 samples. Data were obtained from 13 samples of Balearic, Spanish, and international dog breeds to study the genetic diversity among breeds. The population did not significantly deviate from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium with heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.655 and expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.685. The Wright’s fixation indices, the Factorial Correspondence Analysis (FCA), a dendrogram representing Reynolds genetic distance between populations, and the pairwise F_ST values establish the Ca Rater Mallorquí as an independent breed distinct from the Balearic, Spanish, and international breeds.

This study delves into the complex relationships between indigenous dog breeds in the Balearic Isles and their human counterparts, specifically breeders and owners. Using Canonical Correlation Analysis, the research examines variables such as breed registries and the number of breeders/owners, uncovering significant correlations within registries. For example, an increase in female auxiliary registrations corresponds to a decline in foundational registrations, indicating shifts in breed documentation dynamics. Similarly, a rise in definitive female registrations coincides with a decrease in foundational female registrations, suggesting increased pedigree awareness across generations. Beyond registries, the study explores the correlation between breeders/owners and various initial records, highlighting that a notable increase in breeders positively influences initial registrations, definitive totals, and overall counts, underscoring their crucial role in early breed stages. Gender preferences in registrations are noted, with a historical bias towards female entries during foundational stages gradually shifting in favor of males in definitive registrations. In conclusion, the research underscores the interconnected roles of breeders, owners, and comprehensive registries in preserving genetic diversity among Balearic dog breeds, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to address gaps in genealogical data for a more accurate understanding of breed dynamics.

The genetic diversity analysis of six dog breeds, including Ca de Bestiar (CB), Ca de Bou (CBOU), Podenco Ibicenco (PI), Ca Rater (CR), Ca Mè (CM), and Ca de Conills (CC), reveals insightful findings. CB showcases the highest mean number of alleles (6.17) and heterozygosity values, with significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) observed in five markers, indicating high intra-racial genetic diversity (average observed heterozygosity (H_o) = 0.754, expected heterozygosity (H_e) = 0.761). In contrast, CBOU presents the lowest mean number of alleles (5.05) and heterozygosity values, coupled with moderate polymorphic information content (PIC) values and a moderate level of intra-racial genetic diversity (average H_o = 0.313, H_e = 0.394). PI demonstrates moderate genetic diversity with an average of 5.75 alleles and highly informative PIC values, while CR displays robust genetic diversity with an average of 6.61 alleles and deviations from equilibrium, indicating potential risks of inbreeding (average H_o = 0.563, H_e = 0.658). CM exhibits moderate genetic diversity and deviations from equilibrium, similar to CBOU, with an average of 6.5 alleles and moderate PIC values (average H_o = 0.598, H_e = 0.676). Conversely, CC shows a wider range of allelic diversity and deviations from equilibrium (average H_o = 0.611, H_e = 0.706), suggesting a more diverse genetic background. Inter-racial analysis underscores distinct genetic differentiation between breeds, emphasizing the importance of informed breeding decisions and proactive genetic management strategies to preserve diversity, promote breed health, and ensure long-term sustainability across all breeds studied.

The Iberian Peninsula hosts a rich diversity of sheep genetic resources shaped by contrasting environments, historical management practices, and varying levels of endangerment. This study provides a comprehensive demographic characterisation of 16 Iberian sheep breeds (12 autochthonous and 4 integrated) using complete pedigree records supplied by breeders’ associations. Population structure was evaluated through census composition, population fragmentation, trends in sire and dam registrations, reproductive patterns, gender ratios, pedigree completeness, and generation intervals. Marked differences were observed among breeds. Integrated breeds consistently exhibited the highest pedigree completeness and a more intensive reproductive structure, characterised by fewer breeding animals but a higher number of offspring per parent. In contrast, many endangered Spanish breeds showed incomplete pedigree records, fewer registered sires and dams, unbalanced sex ratios and prolonged use of older breeding animals, indicating greater demographic vulnerability. Portuguese local breeds displayed more complete pedigree records, together with relatively high numbers of offspring per parent and/or extended reproductive use of breeding animals. Most breeds showed generation intervals close to four years, although longer intervals were observed in the most endangered populations. These findings highlight substantial differences in demographic structure and pedigree quality among Iberian sheep breeds, providing a demographic baseline to improve pedigree recording and support future conservation and breeding strategies, while reinforcing the role of breeders’ associations in preserving the genetic diversity.