Purebred

Purebred refers to an animal whose ancestry is exclusively from a single breed. In common usage, a purebred dog, cat, horse, or other domesticated animal is one that can be traced through a documented pedigree to parents that are themselves members of the same recognized breed. Purity is usually maintained through controlled mating and registration with a breed registry or kennel club, breed society, or equivalent organization. A new animal becomes a member of the breed when it meets the breed standard and its pedigree is recorded. Registration papers establish eligibility to compete in shows, breed, or be listed in breed registries.

Registries maintain pedigrees that document lineage across generations. Breed standards describe the desired physical and, in some cases, behavioral traits, and are used to assess conformity in breeding and show.

Genetic considerations include increased homozygosity in some breeds, which can concentrate inherited conditions. Breeding practices such as line breeding or selective mating aim to preserve desirable traits, but can raise welfare concerns if health is deprioritized in favor of appearance or conformity. Responsible breeders emphasize health testing and avoiding irresponsible practices.

The term purebred is distinct from crossbred or mixed-breed, which involve ancestry from multiple breeds. The concept reflects a cultural and organizational framework for maintaining breed characteristics, rather than a universal scientific measure of domestication.