Modern pedigree dogs were first established in Great Britain during the Victorian era, in the mid-19th century. In 1859 an English Pointer named ‘Major’ was the first dog in Great Britain to be compared to breed standards winning at one of the first big dog shows on record, and as such, the English Pointer is widely considered to be the first breed of pedigree dog established in Great Britain.

What is a pedigree dog?

A pedigree dog is a dog bred from parents of the same breed, considered a purebred dog. Importantly its lineage is traceable and its ancestry is recorded, and the characteristics or traits of the breed are widely established and comparable to a breed standard. The breed is registered with an official organisation, such as that of the Royal Kennel Club, which ensures the standard of the breed is maintained.

The Kennel Club, now known as the Royal Kennel Club, is the longest standing pedigree dog breed association in the world, having been established in Great Britain in 1873 to set the rules and standards for dog shows, they later established breed standards and stud books, acting as the official organisation to register dog breeds and trace lineage.

What are the benefits of a pedigree dog over a cross bred dog?

Pedigree dogs have been bred in some cases for hundreds of years, this means their ancestry is well recorded and specific traits and characteristics are fairly reliable. The breed standards written for each breed gives a generally accurate portrayal of the characteristics and temperament of each species and can be a reasonably reliable indicator of what to expect from that breed, as it is based on decades of evidence and data from the ancestral history recorded.

You can read all about specific pedigree breeds here on the Royal Kennel Club website.

In contrast, cross-bred dogs are mixing different breeds, and as a result the characteristics and traits can be highly variable, depending on which genetics are passed on to the offspring. As cross bred dogs tend to be much earlier in their ancestral journey, it is much harder to map genetic behavioural traits and characteristics, which can make it much harder to predict what the cross bred dog will be like.

Additionally, many pedigree dogs undergo regulated health screening before they breed, to ensure that they are screened for certain genetic conditions that may affect the breed. This can provide some reassurance to owners that the health of the parents of the puppies they may be purchasing has been assessed and reduce the likelihood of certain conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, and inherited eye conditions.

What are the downsides of a pedigree dog over a cross bred dog?

Whilst screening for health conditions is a positive, it is worth noting that the conditions screened for are hereditary conditions, common in purebred pedigree animals. In cross bred animals these conditions are usually less common, due to the mixing of genetics (a phenomenon known as heterosis).

All dogs can become unwell or suffer with a medical condition, and the specific breed, cross or pure bred does not protect against that, but some breeds are more predisposed to certain conditions, so it is worth reading about the breed you are thinking of purchasing, either cross or pure bred, so you can make an informed decision.

Due to the strict regulation by breed societies and organisations like the Royal Kennel Club, breed standards and health assessments, pedigree dogs are widely considered to be more expensive to purchase than cross bred dogs. Additionally, insurance products for certain pedigree dogs can be more expensive than cross bred dogs, as certain conditions are known to be more common in certain breeds.

What are the most popular pedigree dog breeds?

1) Labrador Retriever

In the UK, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular pedigree dog. Commonly known as a ‘Labrador’ or more commonly ‘Lab’, they are well loved and known for being family friendly, trainable dogs, also highly popular with assistance dog programmes such as Guide Dogs. They are classified as a large breed, officially part of the ‘Gun dog’ breed group, which were originally trained to find game and retrieve game that had been shot and wounded.

2) Cocker Spaniel

In close second place is another ‘Gun dog’ breed group member, the Cocker Spaniel. Whilst there are two lineages that can be referred to as the Cocker Spaniel, the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel, it is the English Cocker Spaniel we will refer to in this breed series. A family favourite, this medium sized dog loves company and enjoys being part of a busy family with plenty of exercise.

3) French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is a very popular breed in the UK. This small sized dog is family friendly, and unlike the Labrador Retriever or Cocker Spaniel, is not a working dog and has a lower exercise requirement as a result. That said the breed is a profoundly
brachycephalic one, and can suffer with health conditions related to this.

4) Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund

This small breed of dog is very popular due to its small size and unique look of an elongated body with short legs. They are intelligent, lively animals and due to their smaller size do not have as high an exercise requirement as the larger breeds previously mentioned. They can be good family pets, but like most dogs, do need to be trained well or can be challenging. Due to their long spine they can be more prone to intervertebral disc disease.

5) Golden Retriever

This large Scottish working dog breed is a firm favourite. Like the Labrador Retriever, the Golden Retriever is also part of the ‘Gun dog’ breed group. It is a family friendly dog, highly trainable and has been popular for generations. They are very loyal dogs and known for their gentle nature. They are very energetic dogs who require a high level of activity, so are most suited to active families who can commit to the exercise level they need.

6) Border Collie

This medium-sized working dog breed is highly intelligent. Originally used as a sheep dog on farms, and still highly popular as a working dog today, these dogs have high energy and a high requirement for regular exercise and mental stimulation. They are also very popular agility dogs, and enjoy training and forming a close loyal bond with their owners.

7) Staffordshire Bull Terrier

This medium-sized dog is a family favourite in the UK.  Immediately recognisable with its muscular appearance they are known for being loyal company, and do best in active households where they can get regular exercise and attention.

Summary:

  • Pedigree dogs have been established in Great Britain since the mid nineteenth century
  • Organisations such as the Royal Kennel Club hold the breed standards and ancestral data for most pedigree dogs, and dogs bred as pedigree dogs must be registered with an official organization.
  • Pedigree dogs can suffer from inherited health conditions, so its important to check the breed information for any breed you are interested in so you are well informed about its possible health risks.
  • Ancestral history is well recorded for many generations and easily traceable leading to reliable characteristics and traits for the breeds .
  • Popular pedigree dogs include the Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel and French Bulldog, we will explore these top 3 breeds in more detail in the next articles of this pedigree dogs series.