studbook

Everyday

1. A studbook is an official record book listing the parents, grandparents and births of animals of a particular breed, especially horses, but also dogs and cattle. tree →
2. Zoos keep studbooks for rare animals so they can choose mates and keep the animals healthy and varied. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on inheritance and conservation, studbooks show how people track animal family trees to avoid breeding close relatives and to protect endangered species like snow leopards. In horse racing, a famous studbook records Thoroughbred racehorses. Phrases: «the General Stud Book», «in the studbook», «zoo studbook».

Examples

• Every Thoroughbred foal is recorded in the studbook. tree →
• The zoo checked the studbook before pairing the snow leopards. tree →
• The pony's studbook shows its grandfather was a champion. tree →
• Studbooks help stop rare animals breeding with close relatives. tree →
• The dog's name was added to the breed's studbook. tree →
• Keepers around the world share one studbook for the red pandas. tree →

Note

Countable noun, usually one word (sometimes «stud book»). «Stud» here means a farm where animals are kept for breeding. It is like a family tree for animals.