The term “champion bloodline or champion lines” may be less impressive than it would seem.
Purebred dogs are judged by certain standards, as defined by breed organisations and uniformly recognised by governing bodies. Representatives of a breed must meet these rigid standards in order to be shown and compete in dog shows.
Each litter may contain a mix of desirable and undesirable characteristics. One or two dogs may meet or exceed show standards and qualify for the competition, while their siblings are left behind, destined to become someone’s lovable family pet, but precluded from strutting their style in public.
In fact, it is not unheard of for an entire litter, produced by show-stopping champions, to be composed entirely of Quasimodo’s, lovable but not up to standards.
So, what, exactly does the term champion bloodlines mean? It means that at some point in time, perhaps generations removed from that little puppy which you are considering purchasing, a true champion contributed to his genetic makeup. That champion met, and surpassed, all breed standard and these qualities may be expected to appear in subsequent generations.
But it is, after all, a gamble, the luck of the draw, exactly what genes will be passed along. The good one certainly, but the lesser, more ordinary ones are there aplenty. Think of it in human terms. Just because great-gram pa climbed Everest doesn’t mean you don’t have trouble walking to the bus stop.
What Is Dog Bloodline Mean?
A dog’s bloodline is nothing more than it’s a family tree, listing parents and grandparents for generations back.
A pedigreed dog must have at least five generations listed in its bloodline. But a pup’s bloodline will tell more than just parentage. It contains information on temperament, characteristics, and numbers of shows an animal has won.
A conscientious breeder will consult bloodlines when looking for prospective mates. If he is looking for competition quality puppies, he will know to look at numbers regarding show wins list, and know that the more recent they are, the more likely an animal is to produce more show ring winners.