A Puppy “With Papers” from a “Registered Breeder”

There is some confusion on what ‘with papers’ and ‘registered breeder’ means, and this confusion adds to the complexity of looking for a breeder and a puppy. This is a brief post that explains what ‘papers’ are  and a ‘registered breeder’ is, to ensure that you don’t find yourself ripped off in your puppy purchase.

 

What are ‘papers’?

When you say, ‘a purebred puppy with papers’, then the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council) pedigree papers is what ‘the papers’ bit is.

It’s also a good idea, when purchasing a puppy, to look for other documentation, such as:

  • A vaccination certificate
  • A microchipping certificate
  • A vet check certificate or similar (keep in mind that vaccines can only be administered to healthy animals, so if the puppy is vaccinated, s/he should’ve been ‘healthy’ at the time of vaccination)
  • Any relevant health testing paperwork for parents and puppy (this will depend on the breed)

 

What is a ‘registered’ breeder?

When people refer to a ‘registered’ breeder, they are referring to a breeder which is registered with an ANKC member body (such as Dogs SA, Dogs Victoria, and so forth). A registered breeder should be able to show a membership card with their name, their prefix, and a membership number on it.

Some people call themselves a ‘registered breeder’ because they are registered with the council.  While many councils require breeders to be registered with them, it is not any type of endorsement for the welfare of the animals that are maintained or bred at the facility.

 

How do I find a puppy with papers from a registered breeder?

If you are looking for a purebred puppy from a registered breeder, then your best bet is to contact your ANKC body to ask for a breeder list.  DogzOnline also maintains a list of ANKC registered breeders (though not all breeders are listed on their site).

If you are an international reader (outside of Australia), then you will have to try to find your national kennel club.  The USA has the AKC and the UK has The Kennel Club.

 

Further reading:

Tips for Contacting a Dog Breeder

Resources for New Puppy Buyers

24 thoughts on “A Puppy “With Papers” from a “Registered Breeder”

  1. Good, simple explanation Tegan, just what’s needed. My only suggestion would be to spell out ANKC the first time you use it…someone who doesn’t know what a ‘registered breeder’ is is unlikely to know what ANKC stands for.

    • PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ I Want Helppppppppppppppppp if u know plz help me …………. i have a RottWeiler and i have only his PuPPy card … how can i get his pedgreee plz anyone help me .. FAST

      • Hi MaZin,

        If you didn’t receive a pedigree on purchase, it’s likely that your dog does not have a ANKC pedigree and you won’t be able to acquire one.

  2. “DogzOnline also maintains a list of breeders who are all registered with the relevant control body.” – This is somewhat incorrect or misleading. DogzOnline members are registered breeders HOWEVER the owner of the page does not allow all registered breeders to advertise on the page. There is a registration process and depending on the type of dog you breed you may have to jump through hoops to become an advertising member of the site. If you go to the membership page on there you will find the following….
    PLEASE READ BEFORE JOINING!
    Please note – We are not automatically accepting any new listings for these breeds.
    American Staffordshire Terrier
    British Bulldog
    Dogue de Bordeaux
    French Bulldog
    Great Dane
    Poodle (Toy)
    Poodle (Miniature)
    Staffordshire Bull Terrier
    West Highland White Terrier

    If you wish to either have a Breeder Listing and/or Puppies for Sale notice for any of the above breeds, please contact us before upgrading.

    We will need a few lines advising how long you have been breeding this breed, whether you belong to any breed club and also what activities you participate in with your dog(s).

    Please note though that we are generally not accepting new listings for the above breeds.

    If you join and upgrade before obtaining our written approval, a $10 administration fee will be charged for any refund that is required.

    We are the only ones who can add the above breeds to your listing.

    • As a breeder / exhibitor of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, I did not find the process of becoming registered with Dogzonline too daunting.

      I did an exercise using the new format Dogzonline, I selected the breed and then got the listings (heaps), then I selected the “Breeder Shows Dogs” option and had another look at the list (vastly different). So can well appreciate why they have taken this stance with this breed.

  3. I would like to just point out that members of a national registration body such as Australian association of pet dog breeders are also recognised by A. RSPCA and B. Australian government as registered breeders tho they are not “pedigree” breeders please look Into this and address this in your post

  4. What a very informative post. I have been trying to explain to people over the years that registered papers are the only real way to prove the dog you are getting is what it is purported to be. Otherwise it is all he said, she said.

    Many countries have their own Kennel body like in New Zealand it is the N.Z.K.C who supply the pedigree papers.

  5. Could you tell me what ‘Papers’ I can expect to receive when the puppy’s parents are said to have been PRA Cord tested?
    Do I get documentation which will help me in the event I would ever want to breed with the puppy. Hope you can tell me what the usual practice is in these days where DNA testing is becoming more common.

    • Hi Wendy, you should be able to view the test results when you pick your puppy up. Some, but not all breeders include a copy of any relevant test results with the pedigree papers. Unless the test results specifically say your puppy is cleared by parentage for this specific trait, you will need to have testing done on your dog before your dog can be bred. You can only breed dogs that have Mains Registration and you must be a Registered Breeder with the Australian National Kennel Clubs controlling body in your state. Yes, DNA testing is becoming more common.

  6. I know this is an old post but I found it very good and it explained a bit to me. I do have another question though. I am looking at puppies that are with a registered breeder and I have seen both parents and their pedigree papers that show they are both pedigree dogs but the breeder can’t be bothered getting papers for the puppies as he is very elderly and this will be the last litter he ever has. If I can show that both parents are pedigree is there any way of applying for papers myself?

    • DO NOT BUY FROM THIS REGISTERED BREEDER !

      As ALL registered breeders are REQUIRED to register their litters in full (on either Mains or Limited Register), and age is no excuse, he should have thought of that before deciding to breed the litter.

      No, only the breeder can apply for registration, unless you went through the process of becoming registered yourself, applying for a prefix and having that approved, backdating a lease agreement for the bitch to before she was mated (and doubt it would be accepted by ANKC), and then registering the entire litter yourself. The above would be a very costly exercise for something that should have been done by the breeder.

      I would look elsewhere, as there could be other reasons for the breeder not registering the litter, ie. suspension, lapse of membership, the breeding is not as he says it is (ie. other dogs were used) etc. etc.

  7. I recently purchased a puppy and have just received the papers from ANKC.
    I was very surprised to see “Certified Limited Breeding ” printed across the top and “Not For Breeding or Export ” printed across the middle. What does this mean?
    I thought I was buying a pup that I could take to registered shows and depending how she grew and performed, possibly breed with her.
    Why would these stipulations be put in place? Are the Breeders under any obligation to let you know about this before the purchase or is the purchaser just supposed to know about this?

    • Hi Kathrine.

      It is normal for breeders to sell puppies on limited register – not for showing and breeding – unless discussed otherwise. Unless you told the breeder you were looking to buy a dog for showing and breeding, they probably sold you a dog they consider to be ‘pet quality’ instead of ‘show quality’ (or ‘show potential’).

      For my puppy buyers, they complete a contract when the puppy is 3 weeks that advises this, but I don’t think there is an ANKC requirement for puppy buyers to be advised of this restriction.

      I would contact the breeder to discuss. The breeder can move the dog from limited to main register if they wish and for a fee.

      Hope that helps.

  8. Hi I have found a puppy I like I have photos of both of the pups parents certificate of registration and pedigree. I don’t think the lady that owns them is a registered breeder. Is it possible to get papers for my pup and can I breed from her as a registered dog?
    Thanks

    • No, the only way for a pup to be registered is if a) both parents are registered and b) the owner is a registered breeder and c) the registered breeder submits and pays for associated paperwork. Puppies cannot be retrospectively registered by a puppy buyer.

  9. I want to become a registered breeder for Maltese/Bichon Fris mating with Toy Poodle, as home pets. My girl goes to obedience lessons and will be doing agility as well. Could you please send me the appropriate papers to fill out please. Cheers Bernadine

    • Hi Bernadine. It’s not possible to become an ANKC registered breeder for crossbreeds. There is no form as appropriate. I would suggest you contact your state body for more information. Cheers, -Tegan

  10. Hi,

    my breeder is registered with Dogs NSW. I was told the puppy would come with pedigree certificate, on limited register. The breeder has finally sent the papers over a week after I received the puppy, but there is no pedigree certificate. The vet vaccination record also shows that the puppy has not had any worming treatment, and did not receive his first C3 vaccination until 10 weeks. The breeder was found through dogzonline.com.au, and advertised as being a legitimate breeder registered with Dogs NSW. Surely this means they should be doing the right thing, and not selling dogs without (the advertised) pedigree papers and proper vaccination treatments?

    Does anyone have any advice on how to tackle this? I’ve contacted the breeder, but they are ignoring me so far. Not a good sign. I loe my puppy regardless, but this just seems shonky to me.

    • Hi David,

      You should have received a pedigree certificate by now. Contact Dogs NSW, who police their members regarding their adherence to their own rules.

      Vet vaccination records rarely show worming treatments. Personally, I worm my puppies myself, and my puppy buyers have to take my word for it that I wormed them at 2, 4, 6, & 8 weeks. (I home at 8 weeks.)

      First puppy vaccinations are generally given between 6-10 weeks old and, though your puppy was on the late side, if the breeder wasn’t homing puppies until 12 weeks, then it would make sense for the breeder to hold off until 2 weeks before homing.

      But, regardless, you should have the pedigree certificate. Contact Dogs NSW.

      Best of luck,

      Tegan

  11. My 2 toy poodles both parents are on full blue papers not limited. But owner didnt get to do their registration of being a breeder. Is there any way i can pay for the my 2 to get their blue full blue papers. Also can i apply to be a breeder as well? Please and thankyou. Oh and one more thing. If you are breeding not often must your dogs be caged outdoors ? As i have mine inside. Theyd fret being caged. Im a responsible pet owner but would like some advise on my comments please?

    • Hi Rhonda. Puppies are only able to receive papers from the ANKC (‘blue papers’) from a registered breeder. Those who do not register as a breeder cannot produce registered puppies.

  12. The breeder is registered with dogs nsw l was told the puppy mum and dad have certifcate when ipay for my puppy she then she told me that the puppy was not for breeding .l was upset that l was after she got the money and the puppy was sick and only found when l got home that she had blg tubby and loose motions i ring the breeder and she say the dog did not have a big tubby .I told her I had taken photos and can show her.My puppy almost dye.Iwas very sad because I put trus in the breeder.she has told me lies Miss L Hunter no 2100009912 Wish we could stop this so lady like me would be safe

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