What is a pedigree?
If you own any type of pet, and especially if you are interested in breeding or showing it, you may be interested in its pedigree. An animal’s pedigree is a chart of its ancestors. This type of chart usually includes such information as familial relationships, titles earned, and line ancestries. Geneticists often use similar pedigrees with information about certain traits to research and study animal genetics.
Breeders often use and compare the pedigrees of male and female animals in order to decide which animals will make good breeding combinations. Pedigree expertise, as it is used for breeding, can help with the selection of show animals, knowledge of proclivity for certain diseases, and increased success of breeding programs, and it can be an edge in sales of expensive animals. Young animals whose bloodlines include ancestors that were known for extraordinary talent, looks, or health can be supposed to carry those traits themselves, and thus sold for more money. If you want to register your animal with a specific national breed association or group, a pedigree chart may be required to become a member.
Pedigrees generally take the form of flow charts starting with one animal and its information on the left. Lines connect that animal with its parents and their information, and then each of their parents, and so on in turn. Pedigrees used by geneticists have specific, universal symbols that are used with each animal’s name to distinguish certain traits or lack thereof in biological families. Pedigrees that geneticists use for specific diseases use symbols for male and female, affected and unaffected, possibly affected, gene carrier, and deceased.
How can you learn about your pet’s pedigree?
If you purchase an animal from a breeder, you should be able to get a complete pedigree chart from the breeder. Many breeders and clubs keep extensive records about their animals and breeding programs, which can often be found in their official literature. Breeders and clubs that have official Web sites often publish pedigree information online as well. Several sites also exist on which you can post your animal’s pedigree along with those of many others, and allow your friends or other interested parties to view it. If you are interested in putting pedigree information on your own Web site, many blank charts are available online that you can fill out and use to get started.
Many online services for different types of animals exist which, given some amount of known information, will research your animal’s pedigree and produce an online chart for you for a small fee. In general, the more possible generations you would like included on your chart, the more expensive this will be. Legitimate pedigree research services, however, may provide you with results and information that are worth the price if you are interested.
Whether you own or would like to own expensive show animals, are interested in genetics and research, or are just curious about your pet’s ancestors, a pedigree chart can provide useful and fascinating information.
By Kristin Cleveland