Dogs, like humans have a certain pedigree.  We get papers that document our parentage and the lineage of great show dogs that are in our ancestry.  Our genetic heritage is supposed to give a good indication of how we will turn out, in our behavioral tendencies and physical abilities.  Dogs are proud of the families they represent, and take these things quite seriously.  Many times dogs are shown great deference when they have a famous name, even before they have actually accomplished anything.  In general this breeding and the associated care that is lavished on the purebred dog results in a good proportion of offspring that exhibit the tendencies that the breeders aim for.  There is predictability in the larger populations of these offspring, but you can never predict the results for one specific dog.  As a purebred dog myself, with famous parents, I had a head start in life.  Even though I frequently find myself looking down at those dogs that don't have my good breeding and educational level, when I am really honest with myself I realize that my own position in the universe is largely an accident of birth, and that there but for the grace of Dog go I.  I usually give myself props for having such humble thoughts and again pass that generous outlook off to my good breeding and fine education.  I guess I'm just great.  Generally speaking that is, in my humble opinion.:)