What Is a Dog Bloodline?

In breeding dogs, special vocabulary is used to describe and predict traits expected of an individual dog from examining its direct family line. Bloodline is one of these terms that connects a dog to its ancestors for the purpose of tracking breeding history and determining whether a particular dog possesses the standard traits expected of its breed.

  1. Definition

    • The Merriam-Webster definition of bloodline is "a sequence of direct ancestors especially in a pedigree" with pedigree being a record of ancestors. An individual dog's bloodline relates it specifically to its parents and forefathers so that various traits can be genetically traced or purposely selected for future breeding.

    Importance

    • Dog breeders and kennels name bloodlines for the purpose of tracing produced puppies and tracking their future lineage. Physical traits, health and personality characteristics in dogs can be affected by their ancestry. Breeders research bloodlines and pair parent dogs carefully in order to preserve desired traits and enhance the quality of the breed. Through understanding the traits possessed in the bloodline, and which traits are consistently passed on between generations, the results of breeding become more predictable.

    Documentation

    • According to the American Dog Breeders Association, bloodlines are typically based on a specific breeder or a specific ancestor in the lineage. To maintain the quality of a bloodline, it is important that breeders keep accurate documentation of the breeding process and offspring produced. Good breeders follow up and note characteristics of puppies from their litters. The American Kennel Club also maintains pedigree records of registered dogs by linking them to a bloodline through their parents and through their breeder.

    Controversy

    • Breeding dogs within the same bloodline is a topic of controversy. Related dogs carry similar traits, giving a higher probability of knowing which characteristics are passed along. However, mating closely related dogs can also result in undesirable and unplanned traits and health problems. The American Kennel Club leaves mate selection to the discretion of breeders rather than ruling against breeding within a bloodline.