Learn health-focused genetics online

Genetics for Animal Health
Study Online with Dr Katariina Mäki, PhD

Five-Part, Self-Paced Online Course: Genetics for Breeders and Vets

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Learn Genetics to Improve Animal Health and Breeding Decisions

Take your breeding expertise 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 gives you the background info you need to breed responsibly and successfully.

Enjoy the freedom to learn at your own pace. Revisit 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 Inside the Course?

Our comprehensive genetics course is divided into 5 structured parts, each designed to build your understanding step-by-step:

Genes and Their Regulation
Discover what genes are, how they function, and how their activity is regulated. You’ll also learn about epigenetics and how mutations create genetic diversity.
Transmission of Genes from Parents to Offspring
Learn how genes are passed from parents to offspring, including the roles of chromosomes, meiosis, and Mendel’s principles of inheritance.
Modes of Inheritance: Single Gene or Polygenic?
Explore the different inheritance patterns of traits and understand their implications for breeding.
Monogenic Inheritance
Dive deeper into traits determined by a single gene and learn how to predict outcomes using tools like Punnett squares.
Polygenic Inheritance (available in January 2025)
Master the inheritance of complex traits influenced by multiple genes and learn to identify patterns for practical breeding decisions.

Each part includes engaging videos, text lessons, quizzes, and interactive discussions to reinforce your learning at your own pace.

What Will You Learn?

This course will take you on a step-by-step journey into the fascinating world of genetics. Starting from the very 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 specific trait is influenced by one or multiple genes.

Predict offspring traits

Master the use of tools like the Punnett square to forecast how traits are inherited across generations and in various inheritance patterns.

Analyze trait variation for breeding

Investigate how genetic variation impacts 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 matters in breeding—clearing 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!

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

The courses are also available with Spanish subtitles in the lecture videos – scroll down to find out more!

Who Are Our Courses for?

Do you own dogs, cats, or horses? Are you a veterinarian looking to deepen your understanding of genetics to better advise your clients? Or perhaps you’re a breeder or animal enthusiast who cares deeply about animal health and well-being? If so, our courses are designed with you in mind.

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

Completing our courses not only expands your knowledge and skills but also showcases your dedication to animal health. It’s a great way to demonstrate to potential puppy buyers, clients, and fellow professionals that you’re committed to providing the very best care for the animals you work with.

Are You Facing These Challenges in Breeding?

Struggling with inherited health issues in your animals but unsure how to identify or address them?
Confused by genetics terminology and tools like heritability or Punnett squares?
Worried about breeding decisions that might compromise the health of future generations?

Our course is designed to provide clear, science-based answers to these challenges. You’ll gain practical tools and knowledge to make confident breeding choices, improve animal health, and ensure responsible, healthy breeding practices.

Let genetics work for you—not against you!

Explore a Sample Lesson from the Course

This sample lesson is Lesson 6 from the first part of the course. By this point, you’ll already have explored essential topics such as genes and their regulation (including epigenetics). You’ll also have learned how mutations arise and the potential consequences of mutations based on where they occur.

Click 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

Why Choose HealthyBreeding Courses?

Expert-Led: Learn directly from Dr. Katariina Mäki, a Ph.D. in Animal Breeding and Genetics with years of experience in improving animal health.
Practical Knowledge: Gain insights you can immediately apply to your breeding program 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 During the Course: Have questions? Use the course platform to ask about topics covered in the lessons. You’ll receive clear instructions via email on accessing and navigating the course, and the instructor is always available by email to assist with any issues.
Satisfaction Guarantee: Your satisfaction is our priority! If the course doesn’t meet your expectations, simply contact us within 14 days for a full refund—no questions asked.
Long Access: Enjoy six months of access to revisit 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!

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, specializing in the inheritance of hip and elbow dysplasia in dogs. Her lifelong dedication to improving the health and well-being of animals has made her a trusted expert and sought-after lecturer in her field.

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

Katariina stays closely connected to the latest scientific research on genetics and hereditary diseases, ensuring that her teachings are always up to date. In addition to leading HealthyBreeding, she works part-time as a consultant for the International Partnership for Dogs, further showcasing her dedication to the health of animals 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, two loyal dogs, and two playful cats. If you look closely, you might just spot some of her furry (and hooved!) friends in her lectures and course materials, adding a personal touch to her teachings.

By learning from Katariina, you’re not just gaining scientific expertise; you’re also connecting with someone who truly lives and breathes what she teaches.