Instructions
Find out the dog's breed. The dog's ancestors may have been registered in an open or closed stud book. In an open stud book, out crossing or new blood is permitted; in a closed stud book it's not. If the animal is a purebred, knowing the dog's breed will make your search less time consuming. In fact, knowledge of the dog breed will be the most common question asked when inquiring on a purebred status.
Use online pedigree databases. It helps, when searching databases, that you know the dog's name and registration number. Having this information can enable you to get the dog's parent's names and lineage. You can continue to go further back looking for the dog's ancestors while building a family tree chart.
Order an online pedigree. This is available through the American Kennel Club or AKC. For $10 you can get a four-generation pedigree report. If you want to go back five generations, the report is $12. To begin the report, you select the dog. You can also add the dog's name and registration number, if you have the information on hand. You have the option to view the report online or save it to your hard drive.
How to Search for Dog Pedigrees
A pedigreed dog's lineage has been recorded, making it accessible to trace. Breeders who sell purebred dogs, will add the dog to a registry, such as the American Kennel Club. These registries allow breeders and dog owners to keep track of the pet's history. This information reveals the health, development and temperament of a dog's ancestry. Whether you simply want to know more about a dog's background or you are looking to breed or train a dog for show or sport, knowledge of the pedigree will give more insight and understanding of a particular pet.