Read About Dog Papers

Do you have your Dog Papers? Here's everything you need to know about Dog Papers, whether they're really worth anything, and what they mean to you and your dog.

It's About Lineage

A dog's pedigree papers simply tell the story of your dog's family tree. The American Kennel Club (AKC) registers dogs whose parents are the same breed and are registered themselves. So what does this mean for your dog? It just means that she comes from two of the same breed of dog. If you can trace your dog's lineage through the AKC for several generations, you may have some useful information for breeding purposes. If you're not planning on showing or breeding your dog, then the papers don't really mean too much - except that you probably paid a lot of money for her.

If you plan on showing your dog but she doesn't have her Dog Papers, don't despair. Your pet performer can still compete in most of the show events with an "Indefinite Listing Privilege" number. She just won't get to strut her stuff in the beauty competition, and if she has puppies, they won't be registered either.

Should You Breed Your Dog?

If you do have your Dog Papers, you might be tempted to breed her. After all, she's just adorable and has a great personality, right? Why not pass it on and make a few bucks while you're at it? Not so fast. There are a lot of unwanted puppies and dogs in the world - even some as cute as yours. Before you invite the hunky purebred male next door over and get your dog in the mood for romance, consider these guidelines:

Can you trace your dog's lineage back at least five generations? Even if you can, if you haven't actually seen a few generations of her family tree, there is no guarantee who her relatives are.

Does your dog's pedigree comprise a list of champions? If your dog and her ancestors haven't proven their abilities in a range of competitions, they may not really be representative of their breed. Consult the AKC for more information about the designations to look for in your dog's pedigree.

If your dog's lineage includes common ancestors in the first and second generations, she is inbred. Proceed with caution.

Don't consider breeding your dog unless she's in top-notch condition and has no health problems at all. Less-than-perfect health doesn't take away from her lovability, but it makes her a poor candidate for breeding.