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Certification is key to a dog's pedigree. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is one of the most reputable organizations for dog registration and certification.
The AKC issues a registration certificate to the breeder or owner of a dog after verifying its ancestry. This certificate is proof of the dog's lineage and is essential for AKC events and competitions.
To obtain a registration certificate, the breeder or owner must submit the dog's parentage information to the AKC. The organization then verifies the information and issues the certificate if the dog meets their breed standards.
A dog's pedigree is its family tree, showing its ancestry and lineage. The AKC uses a system of numbers and letters to identify each dog's pedigree, making it easy to track a dog's ancestry.
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Understanding Dog Pedigrees
The AKC pedigree is a traditional ancestry pedigree, meaning it's a record of your dog's direct ancestors, reading from your dog on the left through successive generations branching to the right.
You can start with your dog at the left and read each progressive generation to the right, tracing back to your dog's grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on. The two names to the right of your dog are your dog's sire (on top) and dam (on the bottom), which is carried out through every generation.
Your dog's pedigree is a valuable research tool as well as an important record of the breeding decisions that led to your dog's existence. It's something to be studied and cherished.
The "depth of pedigree" refers to the traits and assets of the ancestors in the first three or four generations. This information can be very important for determining a dog's breeding potential.
The "breadth of pedigree" considers the siblings of each of your dog's ancestors, which can give you more information than just the direct ancestors. However, it can get complicated to absorb everything.
You can also consult a pedigree of your dog's descendants, which can yield valuable information, especially if you're considering a dog for breeding.
Online Research
Online research is a powerful tool for anyone looking to learn more about their dog's ancestry. All online research pedigrees are available for any AKC-registered dog, 24 hours a day. This means you can access your dog's pedigree information at any time, from anywhere in the world.
You can view complete information about dogs in your dog's pedigree, including competition titles and any related health information available. This includes OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) ratings, which can give you valuable insights into your dog's joint health.
Certification and Proof
You can get a printed Certified Pedigree with up to 4 generations online, featuring an embossed gold AKC seal that certifies the authenticity of the document.
This seal confirms that the pedigree has been compiled from official Stud Book records, giving you peace of mind about the accuracy of your dog's ancestry.
To showcase your dog's pedigree, you can select a framed AKC Certified Pedigree, making it a beautiful addition to your home.
If you plan to register or show your dog in a foreign country, you'll need an AKC Certified Export Pedigree, which includes the necessary ownership information.
This specialized pedigree provides all the same information as a standard certified pedigree, just with the added details you need for international registration or showing.
Equal Opportunities and Purchase
The AKC offers equal opportunities for dog owners to purchase pedigree products.
You can purchase an AKC Pedigree, which is a printed or electronic document that displays the lineage of an AKC dog and important information about the ancestors in a dog’s family tree.
The AKC is pleased to offer these pedigree products, making it easy for dog owners to access valuable information about their dog's heritage.
Equal Opportunities for Purebred Dogs
Many purebred dogs aren't registered with the AKC, but that doesn't mean they can't compete.
The AKC offers a program called PAL, which allows unregistered dogs of registrable breeds to compete in AKC Performance and Companion Events.
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A PAL number is your ticket to the world of AKC events and clubs for your unregistered purebred dog.
To get a PAL number, you'll need to submit a completed PAL application with the required documents.
The PAL program is a great way to see what your dog can do in real competition, even if they can't be registered with the AKC.
Purchase
If you're looking to purchase a pedigree, you can get a printed or electronic document that displays the lineage of an AKC dog and important information about the ancestors in a dog's family tree.
The AKC offers these pedigree products, which provide a clear and detailed view of a dog's ancestry.
You can access these pedigree products through the AKC, which is a reputable organization that oversees dog breeding and registration in the United States.
An AKC Pedigree is a valuable tool for dog owners and breeders who want to understand a dog's genetic makeup and potential health risks.
It's worth noting that the AKC is a well-established organization with a long history of promoting responsible dog breeding and ownership practices.
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