A pedigree records ancestry. Verify the individual, each relationship and the depth of the record before drawing conclusions from famous names or repeated ancestors.
Start at the dog, then move outward
Sire means father and dam means mother. Follow each parent to its own parents, keeping the paternal and maternal branches distinct. The example diagram uses family labels only; it is not a pedigree for any real dog.
The AKC describes certified pedigrees as records containing registered names and registration numbers, with recorded titles and other available information. A registry document and an informal family-tree screenshot do not carry the same provenance.
Match identity before importing a relationship
Similar names, translated kennel names and reused call names can create mistakes. Match the registration reference and available birth information before deciding that two records refer to the same dog. Preserve the source when a parent is added.
For an index, an empty grandparent field is preferable to a confident-looking invented branch. A partially documented pedigree should be visibly partial, so readers can distinguish known ancestry from missing coverage.
Repeated ancestors and COI
The Royal Kennel Club explains that a pedigree-based coefficient of inbreeding depends on the ancestry available to calculate it. Limited imported pedigrees can make the result less informative. Compare figures only when you understand their method and depth.
A repeat in a family tree is a prompt for further investigation, not a stand-alone verdict on a dog. A percentage without its calculation basis can give a misleading impression of precision. Pairing decisions need broader health and breeding advice.
A useful research note
For every relationship you verify, keep the registered names, identifying references, source URL or document and date checked. If sources disagree, record the disagreement rather than choosing whichever makes the pedigree more impressive.
When comparing possible dogs, separate three columns in your notes: ancestry, the dog’s own results, and relatives’ results. A prominent ancestor’s achievement belongs to that ancestor; it does not become an earned title of every descendant.
- Identity confirmed
- Sire and dam supported by a source
- Missing generations marked
- Titles attached to the dog that earned them
- COI method and pedigree depth retained when available
Sources & scope
Sources checked 24 October 2026. Rules and services can change; the issuing body’s current document controls. These references do not imply endorsement of GSD Index.
- AKC: Certified pedigreesRegistry pedigree contents
- Royal Kennel Club: Inbreeding calculatorsPedigree depth and coefficient interpretation
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