fullblood

Fullblood is a term used to describe an animal that is considered to be of a single, unmixed breed. This designation is typically applied to livestock such as cattle, sheep, and horses, where maintaining breed purity is important for breeding programs, genetic preservation, and often for market value. For an animal to be considered fullblood, its ancestry must be documented and traceable to purebred individuals of the same breed, with no known crossbreeding in its lineage. Registries and breed associations often maintain studbooks that verify the fullblood status of animals, requiring evidence of parentage. This strict adherence to lineage ensures the consistent expression of breed characteristics, such as physical traits, temperament, and performance capabilities. The term distinguishes these animals from crossbreeds or mixed breeds, which result from the mating of individuals from different breeds. In some contexts, fullblood status can imply higher value for breeding purposes or in specific market segments.