Pedigree Recording
Pedigree recording started from the simple observation that "like begets like". The fact that progeny tend to resemble their parents has been recognized at least since biblical times. New ideas began to take hold around the 1700s when certain prominent breeders in Great Britain, demonstrated that knowledge of pedigrees could be employed to breed animals more consistently. By restricting the breeding of animals to only those possessing greater similarity and merit in specific traits, the progeny outcome was more uniform. More predictable matings are more useful and hence profitable. From there, breed societies developed out of a desire to ensure specific rules would be followed to further the development of consistently meritorious animals. This is how many of our modern day breeds began. For breed associations to successfully enhance the worth of their animals it was necessary to ensure that some basic rules would be followed. Nevertheless, at the turn of the century the whole concept of genetic inheritance and breed improvement was still a rather mysterious affair. It was more art than science. Not until the early part of the 1900s when the findings of Gregor Mendel were rediscovered and the theories of Charles Darwin began to gain prominence was it recognized that there might be a stronger scientific basis to breed improvement than originally thought. So while animal husbandry was recognized as the art of skilfully managing animals, at least a part of that management began to be seen as having a predictable scientific basis, termed breed improvement.
Pedigree recording started from the simple observation that "like begets like". The fact that progeny tend to resemble their parents has been recognized at least since biblical times. New ideas began to take hold around the 1700s when certain prominent breeders in Great Britain, demonstrated that knowledge of pedigrees could be employed to breed animals more consistently. By restricting the breeding of animals to only those possessing greater similarity and merit in specific traits, the progeny outcome was more uniform. More predictable matings are more useful and hence profitable. From there, breed societies developed out of a desire to ensure specific rules would be followed to further the development of consistently meritorious animals. This is how many of our modern day breeds began. For breed associations to successfully enhance the worth of their animals it was necessary to ensure that some basic rules would be followed. Nevertheless, at the turn of the century the whole concept of genetic inheritance and breed improvement was still a rather mysterious affair. It was more art than science. Not until the early part of the 1900s when the findings of Gregor Mendel were rediscovered and the theories of Charles Darwin began to gain prominence was it recognized that there might be a stronger scientific basis to breed improvement than originally thought. So while animal husbandry was recognized as the art of skilfully managing animals, at least a part of that management began to be seen as having a predictable scientific basis, termed breed improvement.