ᐉ Documents for a puppy

Documents for the dog required when purchasing it

When purchasing a dog, a purchase and sale agreement is drawn up between the future owner and the seller. A package of necessary documents is attached to it. These include:

puppy card;
veterinary passport;
pet's pedigree;
puppy inspection report;
the act of mating breeding dogs.

This video talks about how to get documents for an adult dog.

Puppy metrics (puppy card, “puppy”)

This is the main document that a puppy is required to purchase. The dog's metric contains detailed information:

puppy breed;
pet's name;
parents' nicknames;
parents' pedigrees;
color;
date of birth of the animal;
brand;
The buyer’s personal information is indicated in a special column – “puppy owner”.

In addition, you need to take into account some nuances.

The puppy's certificate must bear the seal of the kennel or club that issued the puppy.
The puppy's certificate must be issued in two copies. One of them will be in the hands of the dog’s owner, and the second will be transferred to the canine organization (RKF) to obtain a pedigree.

Pedigree of dogs

A dog's pedigree is an official document issued by the Russian Cynological Federation or a similar organization (for example, SKOR) when the puppy reaches six months of age. In RKF it can be obtained until the dog is 15 months old. The pedigree is provided on the basis of the mating certificate, the puppy inspection certificate, as well as the pedigrees of the parents.

The pedigree contains the following information:

date of birth of the pet;
nickname;
breed;
floor;
color;
information about the puppy's owner;
breeder;
information about parents up to 3-4 generations indicating nicknames, grades, diplomas.

The act of mating breeding dogs

This is a document that confirms the fact of mating of a male and female. It contains information about the mating date, the names of the dogs' owners and the mating conditions. The mating act is drawn up in triplicate with the obligatory signatures of both parties. One of them will be kept at the place of registration of mating, and the other two will be kept by the owners of breeding dogs.

Puppies inspection report (certification)

Within no more than one and a half months from the date of birth of the puppy, it must be given a nickname officially registered in the organization. After this, specialists draw up an inspection report for the puppy in the form of a description of the litter on a standard form. It indicates such parameters as color, characteristics of a particular breed, physical development and diseases and behavioral characteristics.

This video talks about how much it costs to get documents for a dog and how to avoid scammers.

Veterinary passport

After purchasing a puppy, the necessary action is to visit a veterinary clinic to obtain a veterinary passport. This document will contain information about the vaccinations performed (name of the vaccine and date of vaccination). It also contains information about the pet (name, breed and age).

What is puppy metric and why is it needed?

The puppy certificate is the dog’s first document, which is issued by the kennel club during litter registration. The litter is activated within 45 days, during which a general litter card is drawn up, the puppies are branded, and each of them is given a puppy card, which is what is called a metric.

To issue a card, the breeder calls a club representative to inspect and describe the litter. The specialist examines and describes all puppies, and also identifies babies with signs of breeding. After which the dog handler and the breeder sign the Inspection Report. However, such a document can only be issued if the children already have a mark.

The metric is confirmation that the puppy was born as a result of a planned mating of specific sires. It is also necessary when purchasing a purebred dog, since otherwise its origin cannot be confirmed. In addition, the metric contains all the necessary data about the puppy, its parents and the breeder. The document must be certified by the signature of the person who issued it and have the club’s seal.

You should also know that the puppy card is only valid until the dog turns 15 months old. Until this age, a puppy gives the right to participate in exhibitions, competitions and other events for purebred dogs. Without it, the pet is not allowed to participate in such events, since its origin is not confirmed and the dog is not considered a purebred.

Another important factor is that only on the basis of the metrics can the dog’s pedigree be subsequently drawn up.

What are documents for a dog? What should they be and why are they needed?

So, you have decided to become the happy owner of a purebred dog with documents. But what lies behind these words? What is a “documented dog”? Let's figure out what documents for a dog are. What are they, which of them confirm the breed and origin of the animal, which documents are necessary to export the animal abroad, and which ones indicate the health of the animal?

Documents for a puppy

Let's start from the beginning. You found an advertisement for the sale of a purebred puppy, called the breeder, perhaps even went to look at the dog, and in the conversation the seller tells you that the dog is for sale with documents. At this very first stage, you need to check with the seller what specific papers he will hand over the puppy to you with. There is no need to be shy or afraid of seeming inexperienced. Believe me, a decent breeder will not be surprised or hesitant by your question and will answer your question without delay.

So, the required documents when selling a purebred puppy are:

Veterinary passport of the animal
A document indicating the origin of the puppy (usually called a puppy certificate, puppy card or puppy passport)

Important! If the puppy is under six months old, then it cannot have a pedigree for the reason that the pedigree is issued only after the animal is six months old. If they are trying to sell you a 2-month-old puppy with a pedigree instead of puppy metrics, then this is a scam!

Let's take a closer look.

Veterinary passport of the puppy

An international animal veterinary passport is made in the form of a small book on the pages of which, throughout the dog’s life, notes will be placed on all your pet’s vaccinations and on the treatment of the animal against parasites.

The initial pages of the international veterinary passport are used to enter basic data about the dog, namely: nickname, breed, owner’s name. A sticker with the dog’s chip number is also pasted here if the animal is microchipped.

It is important to understand one essential point. A veterinary passport is issued to any animal upon first visit to a regular veterinary clinic. It is in no way proof of the animal’s breed, since to obtain it, the veterinarian does not ask for any documents confirming the owner’s words.

A dog needs a veterinary passport for one main purpose - to prove that your pet does not threaten the health and life of people and other animals. Confirmation of this fact are records (usually stickers) on preventive vaccination against infectious diseases and a note on the mandatory annual vaccination against the rabies virus, which is mandatory in all countries of the world!

Without this note in the animal’s veterinary passport, you will not be able to travel abroad with your dog, your animal will not be able to take part in dog shows or any cynological events, and will not be allowed for breeding and breeding activities.

Important! A veterinary passport is not a confirmation of the dog’s breed, despite the fact that the dog’s breed is indicated in it.

Document confirming the origin of the puppy

The paper, which is popularly called “puppy card” by dog lovers, is officially called a puppy metric or puppy card. It states the breed, nickname, date of birth, gender, brand or chip, parents' nicknames and their pedigree numbers (.), as well as the names and addresses of the breeder (owner) of the bitch and the future owner of the puppy.

The puppy's metric is divided into two parts by a cutting line. When exchanging it for a pedigree, the upper half is given to a canine organization, and the lower spine remains with the owner until the pedigree is ready.

What documents are needed to register a litter?

In order to register a litter, you will need:

An inspection report of puppies with the obligatory indication of the date of birth of the babies, the date of inspection, the presence or absence of rejected individuals or pets that were left for review.
Application for litter registration. The address of the nursery is indicated here, as well as the signature of the owner.
Litter cards of the puppies' parents.
Direction for mating, about which a corresponding entry must be made in the general litter registration card.

What do documents for a puppy look like?

But here some difficulties begin. The fact is that there are several cynological organizations that keep records of the number of purebred dogs in the territory of the former CIS. Which canine organization is better is not the subject of today's discussion. Let's just say that the most widespread and largest in the world is the FCI (FCI), its full members in Russia are the RKF (Russian Cynological Federation), Ukraine - KSU (Cynological Union of Ukraine), Belarus - BKO (Belarusian Cynological Association), Kazakhstan — SKK (Union of Cynologists of Kazakhstan).

Where can you make puppies: RKF or SKOR

You can register puppies in the RKF - Russian Cynological Federation, which is a club recognized both in Russia and throughout the world. The federation office is located in Moscow.

A distinctive feature of this organization is a high degree of control over the quality of the puppies received, the rigor of the certification procedure, as well as strict rules for admission to mating.

In order to register a litter in this organization, you will have to go through a rather complicated procedure of certification and registration of the litter. But, if this is successful, then the dog will have the right to participate in all international exhibitions, as well as all events held in the territory of the former CIS. In addition, animals with documents from this organization are highly rated around the world and enjoy the trust of buyers.

SCOR is the union of cynological associations of Russia. Here the situation is simpler, and the registration procedure is smoother. But, at the same time, SCOR documents allow the dog to participate in events only in the territory of the former CIS. Such a document refers to IKU - the union of dog handlers of the former USSR.

An example can be given here. If a puppy was born to dogs without documents, but it meets all breed standards, then SKOR can issue documents for such a pet. The main condition is to conduct an appropriate examination and confirm compliance with all breed standards.

What documents confirm the dog's breed?

The only document confirming the breed and origin of the dog is the pedigree (if we are talking about a puppy, then the puppy metric, also known as the puppy card). Remember once and for all: if your dog does not have a pedigree, then it cannot be considered a purebred. It is in the dog’s pedigree that the ancestors up to the 3rd or 4th generation are recorded; it is this that confirms that if you buy, for example, a Chiuhahua puppy, then his grandfather was definitely not a Russian Toy!

You have the right to be offended and prove that you have a purebred dog, but if the dog does not have supporting documents, it is just a dog that looks like a representative of the breed.

Below are examples of what a dog's pedigree looks like (click to enlarge):

So, we figured out what the documents for a dog look like. Now let's figure out how they are made.

How to restore the metric if it was lost?

If the metric was lost, it can be restored. There are several ways to do this. The first way to restore the puppy's metric is to contact the breeder from whom the dog was purchased. The breeder retains the litter inspection certificate, according to which the puppy can be restored by contacting the canine organization that registered the puppies.

The second way is to directly contact the kennel club that carried out the activation of the litter. In this case, the document will be restored according to the number of the mark on the pet’s body.

In conclusion, it is worth saying that if exhibitions or matings are planned for the dog, then there is no point in buying a puppy without a metric. If the breeder has not activated the litter and has not received the documents, then it will not be possible to make them yourself; such a pet will live in the family only as a friend and companion.

What is a puppy card, who has the right to issue it, RKF or SCOR, list of required documents, registration procedure, how much should be paid for registration in accordance with the new RKF Regulations on breeding work, which comes into force on March 1, 2021.

How to make documents for a dog

If you bought a purebred puppy from a responsible breeder, then at the time of purchase you were given the puppy's metrics, which we wrote about above. Upon reaching the age of six months, you should contact any branch of the canine organization that issued you the puppy’s certificate to exchange the certificate for the pedigree.

You do not have to contact the local department that issued the document. The easiest way would be to go to the website of the canine organization in your country (listed in the table above), select a branch near you and contact them.

If you bought a dog without documents, but you think that your pet is truly purebred and want to register a pedigree for it, then you can do it as follows: at dog shows there are special breed confirmation rings in which you need to register in advance and undergo an examination from three different judges. Next, having three descriptions of the dog, you can contact the canine organization to issue a registered pedigree (the so-called “zero” - a pedigree without indicating the dog’s ancestors).

Important! Recently, the FCI has banned the breeding activities of dogs with registered pedigrees. Thus, you will not be able to breed and have offspring from such a dog, but can only take part in dog shows for your own pleasure.

Exchange metrics for RKF pedigree

The exchange of metrics for a pedigree must be made no later than 15 months of age. If this deadline is missed, you will have to pay a fine.

Even if you do not plan to participate in exhibitions or competitions, it is still advisable to make a pedigree. After all, this is a certificate of the dog’s origin, which is an official document. Here you can find all the information about the pet’s ancestors in 3 generations, as well as the pedigree, which confirms that the dog is purebred.

There are several ways to exchange metrics for pedigree. The first and most reliable is to come to the RKF office and take your metric. With this option, the pedigree will be ready within a day, but you will have to pay a certain amount (around 3,000 rubles) for urgency. You can also arrange a non-urgent exchange here, it will cost less, about 1,500 rubles, but the processing will take about 2 weeks.

The second method will be convenient for those who do not live in Moscow and do not have the opportunity to visit the capital often. Such owners should contact the nearest kennel club with a corresponding application. In this case, the pedigree will be received within 2-3 months, and the price for the service will be set by the club itself. In some cases, the breeder can help with the exchange.

The third option is to find a person who is going to the RKF in the near future at a local dog breeders forum. In this case, the price and terms are negotiated individually.

It is also worth saying that to obtain a pedigree, the presence of the dog, any additional papers or participation in the exhibition is not required. In this case, you just need to provide a puppy and pay the membership fee.

Documents for taking a dog abroad

To travel with a dog outside of your home country, you will definitely need:

International veterinary passport, filled out in English. The passport must indicate the dates of vaccinations and deworming of the animal. The dog must be vaccinated against rabies!
Veterinary certificate F1 (aka Form No. 1). The certificate is issued only at the state veterinary hospital on the basis of the dog’s veterinary passport and is valid for 3 days. When crossing the border, the certificate changes to an international veterinary certificate.

Attention! Always check the details of passing veterinary control at a specific checkpoint! They can differ significantly!

The above describes the general and unchanged requirements for all countries. However, depending on which country you decide to import the dog into and which region it is being exported from, a huge number of additional nuances may appear. For example, to import dogs into the EU from Ukraine, you will be required to test for the presence of rabies antibodies, which is done six months (!) before the planned border crossing. That is why you should find out the entire list of documents only from official sources and only in your specific case.

So, perhaps, we have looked at the main documents that a dog may have. If you have any questions or additions, be sure to write in the comments and we will try to help you.

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