Pedigree Infatuation

What is it about a dogs pedigree that fascinates people so much? Is it because people base their dogs worth on the past accomplishments of their dogs ancestors? Is it because they hope their dog will have a better chance of being good because it is a descendant of titled dogs?

A pedigree IS important to a certain extent. But far more important is the quality of the actual dog in question. If the dog is below average then it makes no difference if the dog is off a Grand Champion or the junkyard dog down the street. In the hands of a knowledgeable breeder a pedigree can be a useful tool to help predict the quality of future breedings. In the hands of the majority of dog owners, a pedigree is essentially useless. It’s merely a piece of paper or a link to an online pedigree database that people use to “show off” their sub-par/unaccomplished dogs. How many people do you see posting their dogs pedigrees for basically no reason? How many people do you see asking, “How’s that dog bred?”, rather than, "Who bred that dog"?, “How good is that dog?”, or “What’s that dogs strengths and weaknesses?” People justify breeding sub-par dogs based on their pedigrees because ‘so and so’ was cold but he produced Grand Champion ‘so and so’. This is the exception, not the rule. This is a low percentage breeding practice.

I urge everyone to worry LESS about pedigrees and MORE about the actual quality of the dogs they are working with. Everyone is a dog breeder these days. They sell pups with pretty and not so pretty pedigrees to people who are buying them because of the names on the pedigrees. They have very little first-hand knowledge of the actual dogs in the pedigrees. They hear Grand Champion ‘So & So’ was this and that, but never saw him or any of his offspring. They read some things online or in a magazine about this dog and now they are an expert. This endless cycle is the reason for the over-population of our breed and so many average to below average dogs.

It takes years and years of working with the same genetic pool to really learn about your dogs and to be able to accurately predict the quality of their offspring. Stop breeding pedigrees and start breeding strengths and weaknesses. If you are going to buy a dog, forget about the pedigrees and worry more about WHO you are buying your dogs from. Bill Reynolds taught me early on “It’s not how the dog is bred. It’s who bred them and why.” We all need to let that sink in…

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Something of this effect can be found on some board or forum everyday. Most times it simply states" peds don't make the dog".
This just went a step or two further than most by mentioning people fail to ask about traits or the purpose behind the breeding. Most people will give it a like and continue on with their own hypocrisy.
I made a breeding and some guys here posted about me breeding peds.These people had no idea what I do with my dogs, just as I have no idea what they do with theirs.
People assume because a person says I won't breed an unchecked or cold dog that person has good dogs. But a good dog is subjective ( good to who )
My opinion is if you want to see better dogs start with your own yard, let the next man worry about his.
I can't speak for anyone else, but i'm having enough problems living my own life, raising, and caring for my own dogs.

 

Mmmmm!!! PEDIGREE. Me like top producer rom very close. Me like 2 times top producer better chance for good dog. I read in pedigree (bible of genetic traits for the blood you own but only to certain extent)

 

Heard a story very similar story to Angel. Not sure if it's the same dog or not. One hell of a dog. But never throw anything. Not too hard to figure why.
I agree it's nice to see a ped full of winners as well as producers. After that it's about the man doing the raising, selecting, culling, and showing.

 

It is impossible to recreate a dog in the 6th, 7th or 8th generation from 10-15-20 years ago. Don't forget about the old rare throwback.

 

The things once you have the one throwback out to the excellent dog in the 6th generation that you so desire out of the eight or so pups do you think he will reproduce himself going forward?

 

As Slim has already said, . (Re-creating)= Chasing Dead Dogs.

 

It is TOOL. Used to keep records.
To be more specific...used to keep track of many things.....
Some chase titles. Some hunt.
Some compete.
Without a pedigree, no record would be there for folks to keep track.
Sure would be a loss for folks who chase titles in whatever avenue not to have a pedigree. .or record...right?

Tools can be used for good or bad...trust me ...i have broken lots of shit testing that theory...
A breeder and a peddler can use them alike...

Rather than be infatuated...just be happy that your dog was registered...so that you can trace the info...

Sure beats having dogs of unknown origin...
Still.....
Even with DNA...there can always be imposters ....even in the same litter...
Intentional...or not....
Hence the term TRAMP...

 

I think Canine Athletes makes a very strong and valid point. I see folks "competitive breeding" verses competing individuals of a line of dogs.

The atmosphere in dogs seems to be heading towards who can "re-create" the past or past working combinations the quickest. Litter after litter being bred to facilitate future breedings. That's the modern day competition in our world it seems.

Breeding is the hardest accomplishment to achieve in these dogs, especially if you're seeing it through for the long haul. It takes years and years of dedication and cultivation of what one desires in a bulldog to become good at breeding consistently.

Like the OP said chasing pedigrees is pointless if you don't know the individuals that make them up. it's like a dog chasing their tail more often than not you're getting shit on your nose!

I've seen dogs who's peds gave me the "warm fuzzies" but they were a total disappointment. And I've seen dogs who's peds were meh, but they gave me a lump in my throat. Were they the average or the exception?