Consulting:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS -Key Vocabulary

• What is a Kennel?

Traditionally, a kennel is an area where the dogs are kept and bred. A hobby breeder who owns two dogs is a kennel. A kennel may also be an establishment in which several hundred or even a thousand dogs are kept to supply pups for commercial sale. Many pet stores call themselves "kennels" although the puppies for sale are from commercial establishments which breed puppies for resale. Some kennels are large scale retailers who breed their own stock for retail sales. The best rule of thumb in determining what kind of 'kennel" you are dealing with is to see the mother of the pups and see the conditions under which the pups have been raised and socialized.

• What does a Pedigree mean?

A dog's pedigree lists his ancestors, usually five generations. An AKC pedigree is important since it shows the relationship between the dogs in a puppy's background and their accomplishments. A CH. in front of a dog's name indicates that the dog is AKC champion and has proven itself to be an outstanding example of the breed- as determined by at least 3
different judges, who are knowledgeable of the breed standard (the blueprint of what the particular breed should be.) CD; CDX and UD following a dog's name indicate an obedience title; companion Dog; Companion Dog Excellent and Utility Dog. Other titles could include field; agility; canine good citizen; draft; or earthdog titles. ROM following a dog's name means Register of Merit top Producer. Breeder's often
use a kennel name included in the registered names of the dogs they breed. Thus a pedigree can show who bred the dogs listed in it. In planning a litter, a quality breeder carefully evaluates the characteristics and pedigree of the dogs being bred.

What does AKC registration mean?

AKC (American Kennel Club) register-able means the puppy is a pure bred dog who is eligible for registration with the American Kennel Club. The AKC is a registration body and does NOT sell puppies or license, endorse or register breeders.

AKC IS NOT AN INDICATION OF THE QUALITY OF THE PUPPY OR THE BREEDER OR THE SELLER.

CAUTION: Read registration documents carefully and make sure the registration is with the American Kennel Club. AKC is your guarantee of a pure bred puppy. (Club American Kennels; American Club Kennels; puppy Club Kennels etc. are NOT AKC. AKC does NOT sell dogs.)

In order for a puppy to be registerable for the AKC, the sire (father) and dam (mother) must both be AKC registered with unlimited registration. The owner or lees-ee of the dam is the breeder of record. The owner of the sire, the owner of the dam and the breeder must be in good standing with the AKC in order to register a litter. A conviction for cruelty to animals or
failure to keep proper records of animals owned and bred may result in loss of AKC privileges which entitle an individual to register dogs which s/he has bred. This can lead to the revocation of the registration of dogs he has bred. After a litter is whelped (born), a 'litter registration" is applied for, from the AKC, by the breeder. This application contains signatures of the owners of both the sire and dam and indicates the number of pups in the litter and their sexes. The litter is then given a litter number and a blue application for individual registration is issued for each pup in the litter. This "blue slip' (traditionally once called this for its' color, although no longer blue) gives litter number; date of birth; names and AKC registration numbers of the sire and dam, as well as their OFA and CERF numbers. It also has the name and address of the breeder. It is sent to the breeder. A puppy cannot be AKC registered without a "blue slip." Litters must be registered within six months of date of birth. The "blue slip" or individual registration application is sent to the AKC (with the individual
dog registration fee) and the pup becomes "AKC registered." Normal processing time is 2-3 weeks. Dogs must be registered within one year of the date of issue of the "blue slip." Only the name of the sire and dam are given on registration forms. If a pedigree has not been provided by the breeder or seller, a copy can be obtained from the AKC for a fee. There should NOT be an additional fee for the pedigree from the breeder or seller.

What Are "Papers?"

If the seller's add refers says "comes with papers" and you find yourself looking at a stack of newspapers, RUN! I kid you not, I have had the 'experience' of helping someone decipher an ad, and upon calling, it was determined that the newspapers were for housetraining!

The most important 'paper" is the application for AKC registration. According to AKC policy there should not be a price differential between a dog with papers or a dog without papers. The registration gives the puppy's date of birth, names, AKC registration numbers OFA and CERF numbers
of the sire and dam, and the name and address of the breeder. This information should also be on the bill of sale. If a puppy is sold without a 'blue slip', the contract/bill of sale should clearly state how and in whose name the puppy will be registered and how the puppy will be transferred to the new owner. Many ethical breeders withhold the 'blue slip,' or register the dog in their own names until the conditions of the contract have been met. others use AKC Limited Registration. A breeder may designate a dog as only eligible for limited registration by checking the limited registration box and signing the limited registration line on the blue slip. In some cases the breeder will list himself on the blue slip as a co-owner. All terms of sale should be in writing. In addition, the buyer should receive a four-generation pedigree and a complete medical record, including vaccinations, wormings, and dates. The medical record should give the name and address of the examining veterinarian.

What is limited Registration?

When a breeder receives the 'blue slips' for a litter, the breeder has the option to register the pup with "Limited Registration.' limited registration means that the pup is a pure bred AKC registered dog. However, no offspring of the dog may be registered with AKC. A limited registration may be changed
to unlimited registration ONLY BY THE BREEDER. This allows a breeder to ensure that only the best stock is bred. A dog with a limited registration may not be shown at a dog show in conformation but may be shown in performance events such as obedience, field and hunting trials, agility etc...

Why NOT a Pet Shop Dog?

Dogs in pet shops are from commercial breeders and brokers. The most accurate way to identify a commercial breeder is by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) license number. USDA LICENSING IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF A PUPPY OR THE BREEDER. Beware of claims of USDA inspected kennels. Under the Animal Welfare Act administered by the USDA, anyone owning more than three female dogs used for breeding and selling puppies to the wholesale trade (for resale) or buying dogs for resale, MUST be licensed as a 'pet dealer.' Dealer's facilities are subject to USDA inspections. Hence the claim by pet stores that: "their stock comes
from USDA inspected kennels." Licensed pet dealer's may also by law, sell puppies and adult dogs to research facilities for used in experimentation. The requirements of the Animal Welfare Act are minimal, frequently less than those required for livestock on farms. Inspections are infrequent and violations are common. There are no requirements for socialization with
humans.

~Robert Baker, Chief Inspector of the US Humane Society.