This paper analyzes the articles published in this special issue and also some material presented at the Session “Strategies to add value to local breeds” of the 61st Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) (August, 2010, Crete, Greece)1 or at other workshops dealing with the issue of adding value to local breeds. The analysis refers to the challenges facing local breeds and the different strategies that can be used to increase their value and thereby enhance their sustainability. These strategies can be categorized, inter alia, according to the species, the specific characteristics of the targeted breeds or production systems, the existence or absence of markets and the characteristics and dynamics of the breeders and other stakeholders. The paper is structured as follows: presentation of an overview of the challenges involved; this is followed by a discussion of strategies for adding value to breeds, which is illustrated with examples; an analysis of the key factors affecting such strategies and ends with some conclusions. Questions remain regarding the society's responsibility for providing support to farmers that keep local breeds that are at risk of extinction and regarding what actions are appropriate when such a breed that was once at risk becomes self-sustainable or, in contrast, when a breed ceases to be self-sustained.