Data Mining as a Tool for Balearic Islands Endangered Dog Breed Conservation and Breeding: Analyzing Censuses and Time Gaps between Creation and Recognition of Protection Structures.

Rapid breeder association formation and early record keeping are critical for conserving endangered indigenous dog breeds.

This study investigated the application of data mining and multivariate statistical techniques to support conservation and breeding management of endangered indigenous dog breeds in the Balearic Islands. Using canonical discriminant analysis and decision-tree modelling, researchers analyzed census data and temporal relationships between breed population dynamics and the establishment of breeder associations and official protection structures. Canonical discriminant analysis successfully differentiated demographic patterns among breeds, with registry size identified as the primary discriminatory variable. A single discriminant function accounted for nearly all observed variability, demonstrating strong breed separation capacity. Decision-tree analysis revealed that prompt formation and official recognition of breeder associations significantly accelerated conservation outcomes by fostering organizational stability and earlier institutional protection. Early foundational activities, including systematic pedigree record keeping and breed standard development, meaningfully reduced the time to official recognition. Breeds classified by herding and guarding functions demonstrated greater vulnerability to census decline compared to hunting breeds. The number of breeding females in foundational censuses was identified as a critical indicator of long-term population sustainability. The study concludes that an integrated analytical framework combining multivariate statistics and data-mining tools provides actionable insights into demographic dynamics of endangered dog populations. Practical recommendations include prioritizing rapid organizational development, early phenotypic and genetic documentation, and preservation of traditional functional roles to guide breeders, associations, and policymakers in safeguarding regional genetic diversity and cultural heritage.

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