Helping a friend with her paperwork - and musing on these things, like you do...

I always thought a 5 generation pedigree was the puppy, and then 4 generations above (parents, grandparents, g grandparents, and g g grandparents) - 5 levels in total

Looking at a copy of one produced by the KC - and called a 5 generation pedigree - they do not seem to count the puppy but they show, and count, 5 generations above it - so their cert actually shows 6 generations in total

Is there a right answer or is it simply a matter of interpretation?

I'm with the KC

The pedigree refers to the pups antecedents ..not the puppy.

that's what understood just like your birth certificate

> The pedigree refers to the pups antecedents ..not the puppy.

Thank you, that makes perfect sense.  So the one I have with 4 above the puppy is actually a 4 generation pedigree...

>So the one I have ....... is actually a 4 generation pedigree...

Yes, and I'd always want at least a 5 generation one, which is what my breed club requires to be given.

Many thanks all.  I do like this forum for quick answers :)

Normally pedigrees come in 3 or 5 generations.   And it's 3 or 5 starting with the parents.   I have a 10-generation on both my foundation hounds, my bitch and then a dog I imported who is back of all my bloodline now.   I think doing this is why I now have to wear glasses ...... the form is big, but not that big - in the form of a circle starting in the middle with the name of the dog, and going outwards to the 10th generation.   It was fascinating to do, with the help of the KCSB Records which I have going back to very early days of the Basset in the UK.