How to Read a Pedigree Certificate
A pedigree certificate is a family tree for an animal. Once you understand the layout, you can read a cat, dog, horse, or rabbit pedigree from any registry in seconds. This guide breaks down every part of the document.
The basic layout
A pedigree is read left to right. The animal itself (the "subject") sits on the far left. Its parents are in the next column, grandparents in the next, and so on. Each column doubles: 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great-grandparents.
The top half of the tree is almost always the sire (father) line, and the bottom half is the dam (mother) line.
- Sire = father. Conventionally shown on the top branch.
- Dam = mother. Conventionally shown on the bottom branch.
- 3-generation pedigree = 14 ancestors; 4-generation = 30; 5-generation = 62.
What each entry contains
For every ancestor you will usually see a combination of the following:
- Registered name — often prefixed by the cattery/kennel name (e.g. "Willowcreek Maximus").
- Titles — championship or award prefixes such as CH, GC, GICH, DM, or country codes like *WCF.
- Registration number — unique to the issuing registry (TICA, CFA, AKC, FCI, ANKC, BRC, etc.).
- Colour / markings and sometimes coat/pattern codes.
- Date of birth and, on some registries, health test results.
Understanding titles and prefixes
Titles tell you an ancestor’s show or breeding achievements. They are earned, not inherited, so a strong line will show many titled animals. Common examples: CH (Champion), GC/GCH (Grand Champion), GICH (Grand International Champion), DM (Distinguished Merit, for producing many titled offspring).
A registry suffix such as *WCF or /Wc indicates the body the title was awarded under. Do not confuse these with part of the animal’s name.
Spotting inbreeding on a pedigree
Scan for the same registered name appearing in more than one branch. If an ancestor shows up on both the sire and dam side, the animal is line-bred or inbred on that individual. The closer that ancestor is to the subject, the higher the inbreeding coefficient (COI).
A quick manual check is useful, but the precise number is best calculated with a tool.
Digitising your paper pedigrees
Paper certificates fade, tear, and get lost. Photographing them into a digital database means you can search, share, and calculate COI instantly. AllBreeds includes an AI pedigree scanner that reads a photo of a certificate and extracts every ancestor, title, and registration number automatically — across multiple registries.
Frequently asked questions
Which side is the sire on a pedigree?
By convention the sire (father) is on the top branch and the dam (mother) is on the bottom branch, though you should always confirm using the labels printed on the certificate.
What does DM mean on a cat pedigree?
DM stands for Distinguished Merit, a title awarded to a cat that has produced a set number of titled (championship/grand) offspring. It signals a proven, high-quality producer.
How many generations should a pedigree show?
Most registries issue 4- or 5-generation certificates. Four generations (30 ancestors) is enough for a meaningful inbreeding calculation; five generations gives more accuracy.