Today we discuss Pedigree, a very important concept in the canine world. Pedigree refers to a history of an animal’s past family members or lineage, often documented to highlight impressive characteristics in the family. In animal ownership, a purebred animal has a list of ancestors that define its origin and underlines its most marked traits. Pedigree is often represented in a chart, known as a pedigree chart. This chart shows the occurrence and appearance of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors from one generation to the next. In simple English, it shows detailed information of animals making note of their characteristic traits from generation to generation. This is usually done for 6 generations and above. The information collected about animals is recorded in an official list called breed registry.
Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and colours, so you may think that picking anyone will do, but it is not that easy as you think. Though all dogs are faithful and reciprocate the feelings of love and affection, they are divided into different categories. Well, the first thing after reading about categories may bring the idea of breeds, but no, this is not the case. Breeds come later in the scene, and before that, they are categorized based on their purity and genes.
You may have heard many different terms like mutts, strays, and others, but there are only two main categories in which dogs are divided. Those are:
- Pedigree Dogs
- Non-Pedigree Dogs or mixed breeds
So, you might have this idea that you want a beagle for your home, but before buying yourself one, it is better that you get deeper with the guide of differentiating between these two categories. Let’s start with the first and the most preferred category.
Pedigree dogs are known for following the pure bloodline of their ancestors like many of us humans do. They are the offspring of the two dogs that are from the same breed. These dogs are often getting registered in the reputed kennel club or dog society of a particular city or area.
Pros of Pedigree dogs:
- Pedigree dogs’ owners are always certain of the breed they are getting home. They know their particular traits like Labrador breeds are famous for their sheer friendly nature.
- They have pure bloodline and it reflects in their demeanor, hair, face, and other factors.
- They are often registered at the Kennel club or dog society.
Cons of pedigree dogs:
- Many times the pedigree dogs suffer from genetic health issues, and that can even grow into severity without giving any hint to the owner.
- Pedigree dogs often come expensive when compared to the non-pedigree ones.
The second category is the non-pedigree dogs. These are the dogs that are the offspring of two dogs coming from different breeds. Many of the dogs we have around these days are the results of the cross-breeding only. These dogs are also termed as “mixed breed,” or “crossbreed.”
Pros of Non-Pedigree dogs:
- As they come from two different breeds, they may possess the qualities of both the breeds and the owner may get overwhelmed by their uncertain behavior.
- They cost you less when compared to the pedigree dogs.
Cons of Non-Pedigree Dogs
- As they come from two different parents, it can be a disadvantage as the owner does not know about their traits. They may turn out to be aggressive.
- These breeds do not get registered in any Kennel or Dog club.
So, these are all the things you might need to know before you make your choices between a pedigree and a non-pedigree dog. However, all dogs are same and differentiating based on their category or breed shouldn’t be practiced. You can also choose to adopt these dogs from the local shelter and that can be done with all the legal formalities. A dog remains a faithful being always.