What is akc registered dog

Does buying a car with registration papers mean it won't be a clunker? Of course not. So now you know that the existence of AKC papers or a pedigree doesn't mean a dog is good quality. AKC registered puppies with pedigrees is just not a big selling point, no matter how loudly a breeder trumpets it in his classified ad. Being purebred means a puppy has inherited the limited combination of genes that have been "fixed" in his breed's gene pool. These are genes for the particular size, type of coat, color pattern, shape of ears, and so on, that match his breed.

Inheriting the genes for his breed is what makes a dog purebred. Registration papers are a separate matter. A dog can be purebred, yet have no registration papers. It's true. A dog can have registration papers, yet not be purebred, because registration papers can be falsified. Most registries, such as the AKC, operate primarily on the honor system.

They simply take the breeder's word for it that "King" and "Queen" were really the parents of Solomon. Fortunately, the AKC also offers a program where participating breeders can submit DNA samples of one or both parents to conclusively prove parentage. If you want to be sure of who your puppy's parents are, look for breeders who participate in this program.

There's only one way to find out: have his DNA tested. There's a veterinary company called Embark that will test your dog's DNA and tell you whether he's purebred. If it turns out that he's a crossbreed or mixed breed, they'll tell you that, too — and they'll tell you which breed s he is.

Embark will mail you a little kit with cotton swabs, which you simply swirl inside your dog's cheek. His saliva contains his DNA.

Mail the swabs back, and the company will tell you whether your dog is the purebred you think he is If you acquired your dog from a backyard breeder, or pet shop, or somebody's ad in the newspaper or on the internet — it would probably be a good idea to find out whether he's truly purebred. The presence or absence of registration papers doesn't change the genes DNA inside a dog. For example, dogs that pass a test of training and manners are eligible for the AKC's Canine Good Citizen program, which encourages responsible ownership and training.

While dogs with this certification are not qualified for the same events as AKC-certified animals, they are nonetheless registered as a member of an AKC-recognized breed. Tom Ryan is a freelance writer, editor and English tutor. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English writing, and has also worked as an arts and entertainment reporter with "The Pitt News" and a public relations and advertising copywriter with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

They do allow titles before and after names with competitions, but again it's up to the buyer to determine if the puppy they buy is from good lines or not.

OFA is the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and has a database for hereditary problems such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and even eye and cardiac problems. In all cases, your breeder should have had the puppy's parents certified free from hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia isn't just a big-dog disease—small dogs get it, too.

Having the eyes certified is a good idea too, plus any other certifications that look for problems that commonly occur in your puppy's breed. It's not a guarantee that your puppy won't have these hereditary conditions, but it does help reduce the possibility.

Sadly, there are people still out there who equate high price with quality. While in some cases you do get what you pay for, the reality is that puppy mill and backyard breeders see the prices reputable breeders charge and price their puppies to make a lot of money.

I have news for you: These dogs came from breeders like the ones you may be considering and the owners paid those hefty prices. The difference is that the owners didn't have time or patience to deal with a puppy or behavior problems that might have cropped up, and dumped their very expensive pet in the shelter. Shelters and rescue look to place these dogs and offer them at lower prices.

Same dogs but just no longer cute fluffy puppies. You might argue that you'd do a better job with training, but be realistic. Everyone thinks that. If you're committed to taking your puppy to a trainer and working with him to prevent bad habits, then maybe. Or you may be kidding yourself and end up having a puppy with bad habits that you have to break. This should be a no-brainer, but there are people out there who think that because they buy from a breeder they're getting a decent dog.

I have bad news for you. Anyone can be a breeder. There's no test to determine if you're fit to breed your dog. And in many circumstances, there aren't even kennel licenses. Some states have enacted laws for the bare minimum code of conduct commercial breeders or puppy mills must adhere to , but these laws are general and deal with basic care of the animals.

So just because someone hangs out their shingle to sell puppies and offers them at a high price doesn't make a good or reputable breeder. He should be fairly wide over the loins and strong and muscular in the hindquarters. The coat should be close, short, dense and free from feather.

The Labrador standard then establishes the physical appearance of the breed in detail, including preferred structure, coat type, color, and movement. A dog that does not meet this standard is either a poor example of the breed or is not a Labrador Retriever at all. Adherence to the standard is important in maintaining the integrity and health of the breed. Dogs that are mixed breed or that do not meet the standard can still make wonderful pets, but they should be spayed or neutered so they do not contribute to the decline of the breed.