Originally, 'well bred' implied noble lineage, but now it's more about behavior than birth.

Social Class

'Well bred' suggests someone is not only polite but also knowledgeable about social etiquette.

Not Just Polite

Can be used positively or sarcastically to critique someone's seemingly insincere politeness.

In breeding, it emphasizes a lineage of animals with desirable traits or qualities.

It does not refer to just being purebred, but also having an ancestry of high-quality individuals.

Implies that the animal meets or exceeds specific breeding standards for its species or breed.