What is the Online Pedigree Database?
What is a database?
Who can submit to the Online Pedigree Database?
How reliable is the information in the Online Pedigree Database^tm?
Why is (or isn't) my dog (or another specific dog) in the database?
What is record ownership?
Will you delete a record from the database?
Why isn't my breed in the database? Will you add my breed?
What if database won't allow the dog's name because it istoo short?
Why can’t I find a dog that I know is in the database?
How do I change incorrect pedigree information in the database?
Why are my corrections and additions not immediately available?
How do I add parents to a dog?
Why can’t I find the parents of the dog I just entered?
How do I add progeny to a dog?
How do I add siblings to a dog?
How do I pick the right color swatch?
Why isn’t my picture uploading properly?
What do the letters before and after the dog's names stand for?
Why can’t I send in a pedigree and have you enter the dogs for me?

What is the Online Pedigree Database^tm?

The Online Pedigree Database^tm, originally created in 1997 by PawVillage, is the original online pedigree system and is the premier multi-breed, searchable pedigree database available on the Internet. Version 2.0 became available in 2001 and introduced a public online entry system and expanded support for many popular breeds. Version 2.1 added additional fields for breed and health registry information, an expanded FAQ section, and improved search functionality. The major enhancement in Version 2.2 was the ability to document the source of the pedigree information submitted. The new Version 3.0 launched in late 2004 includes an entirely revised system for Registrations and Health Certifications. This new functionality allows for an unlimited number of registrations and health certifications, and also standardizes how they are submitted to the database. Dogs that are part of the Online Pedigree Database^tm have been submitted by individual members of PawVillage. In an effort to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the information in the database, PawVillage reviews all new records and any updates to existing records.

What is a database?

A database is a collection of related data organized for convenient access. Our database contains individual dog records which are linked to other records. The web site interacts with the database in order to create the web pages that you see and build the pedigrees that you can explore on the PawVillage site. Each individual record only contains information about that one specific dog (for example color, gender, titles, and registration information) and is linked to the records of each of its parents. All of the pedigree pages, individual dog pages, sibling pages, and progeny pages are created automatically by pulling current information from the database each time that you visit those pages. For example, if you wish to add a sibling to a dog, there is no need to use the Additions & Corrections system since records do not contain sibling information. Instead, just add a new record for the sibling and link that record to the same parents. Then those two dogs will automatically show up on each others sibling pages.

Who can submit to the Online Pedigree Database^tm?

Any PawVillage member who has completed the membership application may enter a pedigree into the database. However, PawVillage reserves the right to withdraw membership privileges from individuals who misuse their privileges by entering fraudulent information either on their membership application or in their pedigrees. Additional information is available in the Terms of Use.

How reliable is the information in the Online Pedigree Database^tm?

While we strive to maintain the integrity of the information that is part of the Online Pedigree Database^tm, we cannot guarantee the complete accuracy of all the information submitted by members. PawVillage reviews all submissions in an attempt to eliminate duplicate or fraudulent records in the database. If you find any records that you believe to be incorrect or duplicates of other records, please click on the link at the bottom of the record to report the issue using the Additions & Corrections system and we will investigate the record in question. To establish the credibility of the information submitted, members are encouraged to document the source of the information as part of the dog record. Also, all records are assigned a rating to aid in determining the reliability of the information. Records that have been validated through the submission of a certified pedigree to PawVillage are given a Gold Star rating. For more about sources or validation levels, please visit the Pedigree Submission Tutorial.

Why is (or isn't) my dog (or another specific dog) in the database?

PawVillage does not pick and choose which information to enter (or not enter) into the database. Dog records are submitted to the database by members of PawVillage. If a dog that you own or bred is in the database, most likely it is part of the pedigree (as an ancestor, sibling, or progeny) of a dog that is owned by another PawVillage member or it is considered an important representative of the breed. If your dog is not part of the database yet, we are not intentionally excluding him or her for any reason! Please feel free to submit as many dogs as you wish through our public online entry system. Entering dog records is free, we only require that you become a member of PawVillage (and that's free too!).

What is record ownership?

Record ownership refers to which PawVillage member has direct access to maintain a particular record. In no way does record ownership imply ownership of the dog itself. In most cases, the record for a dog is maintained ("owned") by the member who originally contributed the information. If the breeder or actual owner of the dog itself later becomes a member, they may request (using the Additions & Corrections system) that control of the record be transferred to their membership account.

Will you delete a record from the database?

Occasionally we are asked by the owner or breeder of a particular dog to remove information regarding that dog from the database. Once a dog has been registered, bred, shown, or competed, the facts (such as name, date of birth, color, etc.) about that dog are readily available to the public from multiple sources both online and in print. If a record is deleted there is no way to prevent it from later being resubmitted to the database by someone else. To eliminate the risk of information being resubmitted (possibly incompletely or inaccurately) later, we prefer that breeders and/or owners who find that a dog of theirs has been submitted to the database request that the record be transferred to their membership account. We are however always willing to remove the name of an owner or breeder if requested to do so due to privacy concerns.

Why isn't my breed in the database? Will you add my breed?

Back in 1997, the Online Pedigree Database^tm included only a single breed. Version 2.0, launched in 2001, added support for many popular breeds. Currently, the database does not include any of the breeds generally considered to be "rare breeds" or any breeds unrecognized by major, reputable kennel clubs. There are no plans to expand the Online Pedigree Database^tm to support the inclusion of any additional breeds in the near future.

What if database won't allow the dog's name because it is too short?

If names that are less than five characters long are used, there is a possibility of multiple dogs having the same name. In many cases, they are unregistered names. To prevent confusion due to duplicate names, we ask that for dogs with a name less than five characters additional information be added to the name field. For example, the breeder's name in parentheses, or the year of birth in parentheses, or a registration number in parentheses. This way others wishing to link to the record (as the sire or dam for a record they are entering) can be sure that they are selecting the correct record.

Why can’t I find a dog that I know is in the database?

1. If you have entered the full registered name into the search field, you may unintentionally be misspelling a part of the dog’s name. Perhaps a word in the name is spelled in an unusual way. Try entering partial names to return more results. For example, enter “Sm Rov Red” instead of “Smith’s Rover of Red Mountain.” Don’t include words that contain questionable spellings and always separate words that could be spelled as one or two words. For example, enter “Briar wood” instead of “Briarwood.”
2. Titles are not part of the name field in the Online Pedigree Database^tm. If you have entered any titles into the search field as part of the name, the dog might not be found.
3. In the Dog Edit List search in the Members area, only dog records that you own will be found. To locate a dog record that you do not own, you must search for the dog by clicking "Pedigree" in the top orange navigation bar, and using the main search page.

How do I change incorrect pedigree information in the database?

If you are the owner of the record, then you may complete the appropriate edit form and your changes will be available immediately. If you are not the owner of the record, then you may click on the link at the bottom of that record to report the problem using the Additions & Corrections system. This will notify PawVillage of the suspected error and we will investigate the pedigree. During the investigation, you may be asked to provide proof, for example a certified pedigree, of your information.

Why are my corrections and additions not immediately available?

In order to ensure the integrity and validity of the information in the Online Pedigree Database^tm, all Additions & Corrections requests are processed by hand. It usually takes PawVillage.com staff about a week to adequately investigate the record and complete the updates, although this may vary depending upon the volume of requests being received.

How do I add parents to a dog?

If you are the owner of the pedigree record, then you may add the parents via the Parentage Edit tab. If you are not the owner of the record, then you may click on the link at the bottom of that record to submit the information through the Additions & Corrections system. If the sire and dam are not already in the database, please submit them to the database (via the Add Dog link in the Members area) prior to completing the Additions & Corrections form. You may be asked to provide proof, for example a certified pedigree, of your information if there is a conflict with the current information in the database.

Why can’t I find the parents of the dog I just entered?

There are a number of possible reasons that a sire or dam might not be showing up in the dropdown boxes on the Sire & Dam Add / Edit page.

1. They may not yet have been entered into the database. If this is the case, please create a new record via the Add Dog link in the Members area. You may then go back to the original dog to update the sire and dam links.
2. If you have entered the full registered name into the search field, you may unintentionally be misspelling a part of the dog’s name. Perhaps a word in the name is spelled in an unusual way. Try entering partial names to return more results. For example, enter “Sm Rov Red” instead of “Smith’s Rover of Red Mountain.” Don’t include words that contain questionable spellings and always separate words that could be spelled as one or two words. For example, enter “Briar wood” instead of “Briarwood.”
3. Titles are not part of the name field in the Online Pedigree Database^tm. If you have entered any titles into the search field as part of the name, the dog might not be found.

How do I add progeny to a dog?

You may add progeny to a dog by creating a new record for the progeny via the Add Dog link in the Members area, and then linking the progeny to the parents via the Parentage Add / Edit page. The progeny will then automatically become available on the Progeny page of its parents. If the progeny has an existing record, but is not linked to the sire or dam, please refer to the question above regarding adding parents to a dog.

How do I add siblings to a dog?

If a record for the sibling does not yet exist in the database, you may create a new record for the sibling via the Add Dog link in the Members area. Then link that record to the same parents. These dogs will then automatically show up on each others sibling pages. If the sibling has an existing record, but is not linked to the sire or dam, please refer to the question above regarding adding parents to a dog.

How do I pick the right color swatch?

The color swatch you choose should be indicative of the dog’s color as described in the breed standard. If your dog is black with white and tan markings, we recommend that you choose the black swatch paw print and describe the markings in the markings text field. The color swatch paw prints are intended to allow someone viewing a pedigree to know the basic color of the dogs, they are not intended to match an individual dog’s coloring perfectly. If you cannot find a swatch paw print that you feel is appropriate, please email Pedigree@PawVillage.com. We will attempt to aid you in your choice, or may decide that the creation of a new color swatch is necessary. If you are unsure of the color of the dog, please do not guess. Choose the gray question mark paw print. When this is selected, no swatch paw print will be displayed for that dog in pedigrees or on the dog's home page.

Why isn’t my picture uploading properly?

There are a number of restrictions on image specifications. If your image does not comply with these restrictions it will not upload properly.

1. File Format: Pictures uploaded for use on an individual dog page must be in JPEG format with the file extension .JPG. Pictures or graphics uploaded for use on breeder pages must be either in JPEG format with the file extension .JPG or in PNG format with the file extension .PNG. If an image is not in the proper format it will not upload at all.
2. File Size: All images are restricted to a maximum file size of 30 KB. If an image exceeds the file size restriction, it will upload until it reaches the 30 KB and then stop, resulting in a partial image being displayed on the image upload page.
3. Image Resolution: Images should be created with a resolution of 72 dpi (dots per inch) in order to display at the size that you intend. Web graphics that have a resolution higher than 72 dpi do not display with greater quality, they only display at a larger size.

Your graphics editing software should allow you to modify your images to meet these requirements. For additional information regarding image uploads, please refer to the Pedigree Submission Tutorial.

To crop, edit, or enhance your photo before uploading to PawVillage, try Picasa - Google's free photo organizing and editing software. Click the button at left to download Picasa.

What do the letters before and after the dog's names stand for?

They are acronyms for titles that the dog has earned. A partial list of both the titles used before and after a dog's full name in the pedigrees is available on the PawVillage.com web site.

Why can’t I send in a pedigree and have you enter the dogs for me?

Due to the volume of dogs submitted to the database, and the availability of a free public online entry system, we are unable to devote the time and energy it would take for us to enter pedigrees. Instead we prefer to give our members control over the records they enter, and devote ourselves to enhancing and expanding the services available here at PawVillage.com. If you continue having difficulties with the pedigree submission process after referring to the Pedigree Submission Tutorial, please contact us and we will do our best to provide any assistance that you need.