CAROL BEUCHAT - USA

I have had purebred dogs all my life, but my involvement in dogs as more than a pet owner happened entirely by accident. While I was at the University of Cape Town (South Africa) as a visiting scholar from 1998-2003, I aspired to do a bit of wildlife photography just for fun.
Because I wasn't especially adept with a camera, I started photographing dogs at dog shows to hone my skills. What started as my private training program developed into a little business photographing show dogs for their owners.
When I returned to the US, I continued photographing show dogs and did it full time for nearly 15 years.

What I learned about purebred dogs over that time from breeders, owners, and handlers sparked my interest in canine genetics. In 2012, I put the camera aside and founded the Institute of Canine Biology. The mission of ICB is to meet the needs of breeders for education, information, and other resources about canine genetics, with a special focus on breeding for health.
I work with individual breeders and clubs in consultation with experts in canine genetics, animal husbandry, and population genetics from around the world.
I have developed six online courses about canine biology and genetics that are taught year round through ICB. I am currently working with Dr Elaine Ostrander at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) on the genetics of sighthounds from around the world.