How to Tell If a Dog Is a Pure Breed

Begin investigating a dog's breed at the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC) or the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). The people who developed breeds usually had a vision of how that particular breed should appear to fulfill a purpose. These ideas were usually written down in a "standard of perfection," also called a "breed standard." Some rare breeds may not have standards recognized by any North American registry and may be perceived as being mixed breeds by all but the people who work closely with those breeds. If the dog has a registration certificate from any registering body inside or outside the United States, it is probably purebred.

Educate yourself about dog breeds. Some registry websites have detailed descriptions and pictures of the breeds they recognize. Scrolling through pictures to find a familiar picture or profile will provide basic information that may lead to identifying a dog's breed. Certain breeds might appear similar on the website; however, size or temperament of the breeds might differ in real life. The beagle, the harrier and the foxhound appear similar in pictures, but are distinctly different in size and temperament. In addition, these breeds are of general "scent hound" body type; therefore mixed breeds with scent hounds behind them might be similar in type to a purebred dog.

Use the names of the breeds you found on the registry website to search for a national breed club for each of them. National breed clubs are intended to preserve the appearance and working ability of their dogs. For this reason, they will be excellent sources of information about the breed in question. Many times, the club sites will have a large number of pictures and articles that can help with breed identification, as well as a contact number or email address by which someone can answer in-depth questions about the breed. Actually speaking with a breeder is sometimes the best and only means of identifying a dog's breed.

Visit a breeder. Breeders are knowledgeable breed specialists, familiar with their chosen breed and similar breeds. They may be able to identify poor examples of their own or similar breeds. One place to see several breeders of the same breed is at conformation dog shows, most of which are open to the public. At these shows, you will see breeds that appear to be similar in pictures, but may move differently, may have a different coat texture or may be greatly different in size or behavior.