HealthyBreeding – Study Genetics Online

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Genetics for Animal Health
Dr Katariina Mäki, PhD

5-Part, Self-Paced Online Course

Mastering Animal Genetics: Unlocking the Code to Health-Oriented Breeding

Works on all devices 24/7

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To whom?

Free sample lesson

Instructor

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Learn Genetics to Improve Animal Health and Breeding Decisions

Take your breeding knowledge to the next level with a hands-on learning experience. Enjoy interactive quizzes, expert-led lecture videos and intuitive glossaries to quickly clarify complex terms. Whether you’re breeding for temperament, health or performance, this course will give you the background you need to breed responsibly and successfully.

Enjoy the freedom of learning at your own pace. Watch lecture videos, dive into detailed text lessons and retake quizzes as often as you need to master the material. This flexible format fits seamlessly into your busy schedule.

What’s in the Course?

My comprehensive genetics course ‘Mastering Animal Genetics: Unlocking the Code to Health-Oriented Breeding‘ is divided into 5 structured modules, each designed to build your understanding step by step:

  1. Genes and Their Regulation
    Discover what genes are, how they work and how their activity is regulated. You’ll also learn about epigenetics and how mutations create genetic diversity. Read more here.
  2. Transmission of Genes from Parents to Offspring
    Learn how genes are passed from parents to offspring, including the role of chromosomes, meiosis and Mendel’s laws of inheritance. Read more here.
  3. Modes of Inheritance: Single Gene or Polygenic?
    Explore the different inheritance patterns of traits and understand their implications for breeding. Read more here.
  4. Monogenic Inheritance
    Delve deeper into traits determined by a single gene and learn how to predict outcomes using tools like Punnett squares. Read more here.
  5. Polygenic Inheritance
    Master the inheritance of complex traits influenced by multiple genes and learn to identify patterns for practical breeding decisions. Read more here.

Each module includes videos, text lessons, quizzes and the opportunity to ask questions about the topics covered in the lessons. Modules can be purchased separately.

What Will You Learn?

This course will take you on a step-by-step journey into the fascinating world of genetics. Starting with the basics, you’ll build a strong foundation and gradually progress to more advanced topics and practical applications.

Understand how traits are inherited

Learn how parental traits are passed on to offspring and explore how accurately this inheritance can be predicted.

Identify the role of genes

Determine whether a particular trait is influenced by one or multiple genes.

Predict offspring traits

Master the use of tools such as the Punnett square to predict how traits are inherited across generations and in different inheritance patterns.

Analyse trait variation for breeding

Investigate how genetic variation affects breeding decisions and the selection of healthy animals.

Account for environmental factors

Discover how the environment influences traits and how to separate these effects to better assess an animal’s genetic potential.

Demystify heritability

Understand what heritability really means and why it’s important in breeding—clear up common misconceptions.


With a mix of clear explanations and practical examples, this course will equip you with the knowledge and tools to confidently apply genetics to real-world breeding challenges.

No prior knowledge of genetics is required—just a curiosity and a desire to learn!

Enroll now!

Click on the ‘Enroll Now’ button of each course to find out more about what it covers – and sign up today!

I have also courses with Spanish subtitles in the lecture videos – see below.

(Just so you know, €1 is about 1.1 USD, so the price of the first part, for example, is about 42 USD)

Who are My Courses for?

Do you own dogs, cats or horses? Are you a veterinarian who wants to deepen your understanding of genetics to better advise your clients? Or perhaps you’re a breeder or animal lover who cares deeply about the health and welfare of animals? If so, my courses are designed with you in mind.

By taking my courses, you’ll gain a solid understanding of animal genetics, enabling you to make informed, science-based decisions that can improve breeding programmes, enhance veterinary practices and promote healthier animals.

Completing my courses not only enhances your knowledge and skills, but also demonstrates your commitment to animal health. It’s a great way to show potential puppy buyers, clients and colleagues that you are committed to providing the best possible care for the animals you work with.

Are You Facing These Challenges in Breeding?

  • Struggling with heritable health problems in your animals, but not sure how to identify or address them?
  • Confused by genetic terminology and tools such as heritability or Punnett squares?
  • Worried about breeding decisions that could affect the health of future generations?

My courses are designed to provide clear, science-based answers to these challenges. You’ll gain practical tools and knowledge to make confident breeding decisions, improve animal health, and ensure responsible, healthy breeding practices.

Let genetics work for you—not against you!

Meet Your Instructor: Dr. Katariina – Geneticist, Animal Health Advocate, and Passionate Educator

Dr Katariina Mäki is a Finnish geneticist with a PhD in animal breeding. She specialises in ethical breeding and did her PhD on the inheritance of hip and elbow dysplasia in dogs. Her lifelong commitment to improving the health and welfare of animals has made her a trusted expert and sought-after lecturer in her field.

For years Katariina has worked tirelessly to increase knowledge about responsible and healthy animal breeding. She has worked with the Finnish Kennel Club and numerous breed clubs to develop science-based breeding tools to improve genetic diversity and reduce hereditary diseases. Today, she brings this wealth of knowledge directly to you through these courses, filled with real-life examples from dogs, cats and horses.

Katariina stays up to date with the latest scientific research in genetics and hereditary diseases, ensuring that her teaching is always up to date. In addition to running HealthyBreeding, she works part-time as a consultant for the International Partnership for Dogs, further demonstrating her commitment to animal health worldwide.

When she’s not working, Katariina enjoys life in the Finnish countryside with her family, surrounded by her own animals – a trio of horses, a loyal dog and two playful cats. Look closely and you might spot some of her furry (and hoofed!) friends in her lectures and course materials, adding a personal touch to her teaching.

When you learn from Katariina, you’re not only gaining scientific expertise, you’re also connecting with someone who truly lives and breathes what she teaches.

Explore a Sample Lesson from the Course

This sample lesson is Lesson 6 from the first part of the course. By now you’ll have explored important topics such as genes and their regulation (including epigenetics). You’ll also have learned about how mutations occur and the potential consequences of mutations depending on where they occur.

Click on the image below to dive into the lesson and see what’s in store for you!

What people are saying

“ The sections are just the right length for my type of learner who finds it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time. I love that there is a summary of the key points at the end and no silly trick questions in the exam. This would allow even a hermit like me to study for a long time 😄 although the fact that I have always been extremely interested in the subject certainly helps. Thank you for this lecture series!!

Sanna H.

Animal Enthusiast and Breeder

“ Dr. Mäki’s course gave me the confidence to make informed breeding decisions. Highly recommended for anyone serious about genetics!

Mark H.

Veterinary Student

“ “I was overwhelmed with genetic concepts, but this course made it practical and accessible. My breeding program has transformed!”
– Jane D., Dog Breeder

Jane D.

Dog Breeder

“ The videos, texts, summaries and tests support each other well, and it’s easy to chew through the appropriately sized sections one by one. I also got quick help from Dr. Mäki when I needed it. Thank you!

Melissa F

Dog Breeder

Enroll now!

Purchase the 1st part of the course
Purchase the 2nd part of the course
Purchase the 3rd part of the course
Purchase the 4th part of the course
Purchase the 5th part of the course

Why Choose HealthyBreeding Courses?

  • Expert guidance: Learn directly from Dr Katariina Mäki, a PhD in animal breeding and genetics with years of experience in improving animal health.
  • Practical knowledge: Gain insights you can apply immediately to your breeding programme or veterinary practice.
  • Interactive learning: Engage with quizzes, discussion boards and hands-on activities to enhance your understanding.
  • Professional Certification: Showcase your expertise and dedication with a certificate upon course completion.
  • Help available throughout the course: Have a question? Use the course platform to ask Katariina about topics covered in the lessons. You’ll receive clear instructions via email on how to access and navigate the course, and Katariina is always available via email to help with any issues you may have.
  • Satisfaction Guarantee: Your satisfaction is my priority! If the course doesn’t meet your expectations, simply contact Katariina within 14 days for a full refund, no questions asked.
  • Long Access: Enjoy six months of access to revisit the course materials anytime, anywhere to refresh your knowledge.

Join the hundreds of breeders and vets who have transformed their breeding practices with Dr. Mäki’s expert guidance!

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