Pedigree

A pedigree is a dog's family tree. It lists the registered names of the dog's parents, grandparents, great-grandparents etc. The majority of pedigrees list between 3 and 5 generations. Championship titles are nearly always included, other possible information included would be: date of birth, registration number and colouring. 

Pedigrees are a valuable tool when planning a breeding program. Knowing your dog's ancestry, and the ancestry of the dog you wish to breed to, is vital if you are to determine their suitability. Other factors within the pedigree will tell you about the line, and it's tendency to meet the breed standard in form or function. 

Knowing when and how the dogs died can help you make decisions regarding health standards. Temperament and health are vital factor to be considered in any breeding decision. Knowing the history of these in both dogs' lines can make the difference between a poor breeding and an excellent one. 

There are various types of software available that will create an easy to read and indepth pedigree.
A printed pedigree as apposed to a hand written one ensures accuracy further down the line. It is very easy for someone who is copying details from a hand written pedigree to misinterpret someone else's handwriting.