Selecting a dog - Pedigree or Non-Pedigree

It seems like no matter what breeder or dog owner you speak with you are likely to get one of two answers when it comes to the issue of buying a pedigree or non-pedigree dog. Generally the two sides of the debate each have a variety of supporting facts to substantiate the claim that either pedigree or non-pedigree is the way to go when buying a dog or a puppy. While there are some definite truths in both arguments there are, however, a great number of myths that have become part of the debate between owners of pedigree and non-pedigree dogs.

In order to understand the various factors or points in deciding on a pedigree or non-pedigree dog it is important to understand the difference. A dog with a pedigree has a proven or record lineage that allows the breeder or owner to prove that the dog comes from purebred stock. To be a registered, purebred, pedigree dog both of the parent dogs must be registered and be of the same breed, as must their parents, possibly right back to the first dogs in the breed that were recognized by the Kennel Club or another recognized kennel club. Many of the registered dogs in the United Kingdom and around the world can trace their lineage back to the first dogs in the breed, some going back over well over a hundred years.

A non-pedigree dog can also be a purebred, or it can be a mixed breed or cross breed. This simply means that non-pedigree dogs cannot be registered with the Kennel Club because they are offspring of two different breeds, or one or both of their parents were not registered, purebred dogs. Sometimes a non-pedigree dog can still be purebred, especially in cases where the owner has just not completed the registry process with the Kennel Club. This is typically the case when owners spay or neuter the dog or female and have no intention on showing or breeding the pet so don't continue on with the registration process.

Basically, a pedigree dog is guaranteed to be purebred and could be used for show and breeding purposes as well as being eligible for registration and various events through the Kennel Club. The distinction of pedigree is critical for those individuals that have kennels or are planning on becoming involved in showing their dogs in conformation and best of breed type events. Pedigree designation can also help owners in choosing a dog based on certain characteristics and physical and personality traits. Some events, especially trial events, obedience and agility events do not require the dog be registered or pedigreed. Since pedigree dogs are bred to conform to physical standards and similar personalities it is easy for owners to make a determination if the puppy will grow up into a dog that will suit their lifestyle as discussed in the article on dog types.

It is important to note that there are purebred or pedigree puppies that grow up to have atypical behaviours and personalities, and having a pedigree is not necessarily a guarantee of being a champion or even conforming to all breed standards. Often pedigree dogs have faults or problems in conforming to one or more of the breed standard indicators that may make them unacceptable for showing or breeding, but they will still be considered as pedigreed, registered animals. This is often the case with dogs that grow too tall or have a coat colour or marking that is not acceptable in the show ring.

In addition to just breeding, pedigree puppies obtained from a reputable breeder will also be pre-screened for medical and genetic conditions such as hip dysplasia, various syndromes, and serious hereditary neurological and cardiovascular conditions. Since many of the cross breeds, unless bred specifically as designer dogs, are accidental crossings there is less chance that the parents were medically and genetically tested before mating, and therefore there may be a greater potential for health conditions in the puppies.

One of the big factors that owners of non-pedigree dogs point to is the fact that the very lineage of the purebred dogs can actually be one of the biggest issues, especially when it comes to breeding and genetic conditions. It is true that historically some of the breeds have been inbred due to lack of purebred breeding stock. This inbreeding or "line breeding" has lead to more pronounced genetic and health problems in some of the lines and breeds. It is important to note that the advanced, scientific screening process that most professional and reputable breeders now use does identify most of these conditions, provided that breeders take advantage of the services.

Many cross breed dog owners point to the mixing of traits and personalities, as well as the hardiness and overall health of mixed breed dogs as a reason for cross breeding. This is a bit misleading in that cross bred dogs have the same potential for hereditary and medical health issues, especially if the parent's were not screened for these issues. It is true that in situations where the specific hereditary condition is from a recessive gene the likelihood of the puppies having the disorder is dramatically decreased if the parents are from different breeds, especially if one of the breeds has no history of the condition. This is because recessive conditions have to be inherited from both the male and female dog, not just from one of the parents.

Mixed breeds or non-pedigree cross breed dogs are more challenging to determine their final growth and size, unless both parents are of similar physical characteristics. Coat colour, personality and natural traits will also vary in mixed breeds and it is not always easy to determine which traits will be passed on to the puppies. For example, a Border Collie crossed with a Terrier may result in an outgoing, smart non-aggressive puppy that has herding instincts, while it also may result in an aggressive, hunting dog that has more typical Terrier traits. The puppies within the litter may favour one parent over the other in all aspects of their development and growth. A good guideline to use is that the mixed breeds will tend to favour the breed that they most closely resemble, although this is just a guideline. It the parents themselves were both cross-bred dogs the process becomes even more complex, but does result in some unique looking dogs.

Typically cross breeding dogs to enhance a various trait can be effective if the breeding is very selective. For example, crossing two breeds within the gundog group is likely to result in an excellent gundog mix, perhaps one that will both point and retrieve naturally. Breeding two breeds that are naturally aggressive or known as difficult to train is not responsible breeding and is likely to result in a litter of puppies that would be highly unsuitable for most dog owners. Many of these crosses end up being destroyed or given away to shelters and rescues when they become too aggressive or dominant for owners to handle.

As mentioned above a pedigree dog will allow owners to be able to determine both the dogs physical and personality issues with reasonable certainty. The pedigree will also ensure that, provided the dog meets the breed standard, they can be shown in various Kennel Club events that require a pedigree and registration.

There are, however, good and bad pedigree dog breeders, and it is important to ensure that you are buying your puppy from a reputable breeder. Be aware that many breeders, especially those that have championship lines in their kennels, may never advertise puppies for sale and may have a waiting list for potential owners that have been pre-screened for upcoming litters and puppies. Good breeders put the health and well being of their female dogs, known as bitches or dams, before any other considerations, and will usually only breed females once every year or every other year.

The Kennel Club maintains a list of pedigree breeders in the Kennel Club Puppy Sales Register. This service is free to anyone interested in buying a purebred puppy, and all breeders in the register have to uphold the standards outlined by the Kennel Club. There may be reputable breeders that are not listed in the Kennel Club and it is important to consider the level of competence, knowledge and level of championship dogs that the breeder has available.

When choosing a breeder it is important to watch for:

• An individual that is interested in you and your family and how the puppy will match with your lifestyle.
• Someone that is knowledgeable about the breed and is willing to answer questions, provide information as well as spend time talking to you about the breed.
• Allows you to see both the dam (mother) and dog (father), if possible, and the puppies and has a good interaction with the dogs in the kennel. The dogs should not appear to be fearful or timid around the individual.
• The breeder should be comfortable taking you to the puppies so you can see the puppy with the littermates and the mother. The area that they are housed should be clean and free from waste, have good ventilation and fresh water, and be warm and dry. If the breeder just brings one puppy out for you to consider and will not allow you to see the other puppies in the litter, the mother, or the kennel area you may wish to continue doing some research before choosing the breeder.
• The breeder should have registered the litter of puppies with the Kennel Club. This process normally takes up to 14 business days, but may take additional time if there is a concern or query. The breeder should supply you, as the buyer, with the litter registration paperwork as well as a Transfer of Ownership form which will allow you to register the puppy as your own.
• The breeder should provide you with a copy of the pedigree of the sire and the dam as well as health certificates for the parents if available. At the very least the breeder should have a copy of the female's health certificate for your records.
• The breeder should also provide vaccination records for the puppy, as well as vet checks or any other medical information required.
• A caring breeder will also provide you with written information on the breed and a list of resources that may be of assistance. They may recommend specific food, groomers, trainers or other professionals in the area that are familiar with working with the specific breed.
• Some breeders will require new owners to complete a questionnaire and go through a screening as to their appropriateness as owners. Be prepared to answer questions on your experience with dogs, your level of comfort with training, you lifestyle and even the type of activity level and involvement you plan to have with the puppy as it matures.
• The breeder should also provide you with a Contract of Sale that outlines his or her responsibility as well as your responsibility to the puppy. The breeder may also have endorsements on the puppy's registration, and the Contract of Sale should clearly outline what is needed to remove these endorsements or restrictions.
• Ensure that the breeder has discussed microchipping, tattooing or DNA testing of the parent dogs and the puppy to ensure that a permanent record of their purebred status as well as the identification of the puppy is recorded.

There are some kennels and breeders that are selling mixed breeds or "designer dogs". While some of the breeders are even setting up registries and breed organizations for these mixed breeds, but it is important to realize that this is not the same as a Kennel Club registration and does not mean that the dog can be registered with the Kennel Club. At this time there are no mixed breeds recognized by any of the major kennel clubs, although there are breeders that are interested in doing so. It is important to note that these designer dogs or hybrid dogs are not truly a breed, rather they are a cross between two purebred breeds to produce a puppy that has the traits of one or both of the parents. Before deciding on a designer breed that is very expensive, often as costly as a pedigreed, registered puppy, you may want to consider checking breed rescues and animal shelters. Some of the common mixed breeds that are considered by many dog lover's to be almost a breed of their own include the smaller dogs crossed with a toy poodle. This group includes:

• Cockapoo - American Cocker Spaniel and Poodle
• Labradoodle - Labrador crossed with a Standard Poodle
• Malti-poo - Maltese and Poodle
• Peke -poo - Pekingese and Poodle
• Pomapoo - Pomeranian and Poodle

Not all of the mixed breeds are with poodles however, but poodles are often used due to their intelligence, playfulness, ease of training and socialisation as well as their low allergy coats.

Some other common mixed breeds include:

• Sprocker - Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel
• Jack-a-bee - Jack Russell and Beagle
• Corkie - Cairn Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier
• Bochi - Boston Terrier and Chihuahua

There are many other mixed breeds that don't have a recognized name, although their lineage will be evident in their physical appearance.

When choosing a mixed breed dog look for the same evidence of a caring and knowledgeable breeder. The female or dam should be healthy and have a good temperament, as should the male. The puppy should be vaccinated and vet checked as well as information on the health of the parents should be provided if obtainable. If the female or male was registered or pedigreed a copy of that information should be available.

It is always a wise idea to get a bill of sale from the owner of the dog or puppy, even if it is a mixed breed. This will ensure that there is never a question about the ownership of the dog in the future. Both the breeder and the new owner should sign the bill of sale.

The final decision on a pedigree or non-pedigree dog is mostly impacted by what you want to do with your dog in the future, and how much you wish to have a dog that has specific breed traits and characteristics. If you definitely want a dog that looks like a specific breed and you plan to show or breed the dog when it matures then a registered, purebred, pedigree dog is most likely the option that is best suited to your needs.

If, however, you are looking for a good companion dog that has general characteristics of more than one breed, a mixed breed may be ideal. While mixed breeds are usually less costly than pedigreed dogs they still need the same amount of upkeep, love and attention. In addition they will need consistent training and regular trips to the vet. No matter what type of dog you are getting, pedigree or not, it is critical to remember that a dog is a loving, living being. They deserve to have a great home and family and to be well cared for throughout their lives.