studbooks

A studbook is an official record or registry of the pedigrees and breeding status of individuals within a breed or population. Maintained by a breed registry, studbooks document ancestry, registration eligibility, and breeding restrictions, and may be referred to as a breed book or register.

The primary purpose is to preserve and improve breed characteristics, maintain breed integrity, and manage genetic diversity. Studbooks enable breeders to track lineage, determine eligibility for shows and competitions, and support conservation of rare or endangered breeds.

Registration typically requires documented or verifiable parentage, and increasingly DNA verification. Once registered, offspring obtain a unique registration number and are added to the lineage. Some registries operate a closed system, allowing only animals born to registered parents, while others admit outside animals with proven pedigrees.

Governance is provided by breed clubs, registries, or national associations, often with regional chapters. Data are published in printed volumes or online databases. Registries may regulate export, import, and breeding rules, and collaborate internationally to standardize pedigrees and exchange information.

Historically, studbooks emerged in the 18th–19th centuries to standardize horse breeds and later expanded to cattle, sheep, dogs, and other species. While they help safeguard traits, they can also drive inbreeding if not managed carefully, and depend on accurate record-keeping and transparent policies.