How to Know Dog Pedigree

Finding out your dog’s pedigree is an important part of pet ownership. The reason why is that knowing your dog’s ancestry will explain his temperament, medical conditions and general look. Also, if you ever plan on selling your dog or entering him into a show, potential buyers and judges will want this information. As a result, if you don’t know your dog’s pedigree, it’s time to find out.

Things You'll Need

  • Library Access
  • AKC Papers
  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Phone
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a flow chart that looks like a family tree. You will need to use this tool in order to fill in the blanks. You can do it by listing your dog at the top and branching down towards parents and grand parents. Or, you can do it in reverse. Either way, leave blank squares or lines open, so you can fill in the blanks.

    • 2

      Review any paper work you have on your dog. Dogs who are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) will have certificates of information on them. Pedigree is often listed, but not necessarily correct. As a result, you should consider what is listed as a “clue” and not fact. It will be your first lead to finding out your dog’s true pedigree. Be sure to list out your dog’s AKC pedigree at the top of the chart.

    • 3

      Ask the original owner of your dog about his pedigree. Go back to them, even if it’s the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and find out as much as you can about your dog’s history. Who were his parents, grandparents and great grandparents? What breed where they? What type of dog breed does he most mimic? The answers to these questions will be your first clue as to his pedigree. Be sure to enter what you found out into your flow chart.

    • 4

      Check out a dog breed book at your local library. If you don’t know where to find one, ask a librarian. You will be surprised at what you see sitting on the shelves. What you want to do is find a book that shows pictures and gives excellent description of a dog’s breed. This will also help you determine his pedigree because you will be able to verify his breed.

    • 5

      Analyze the information you retrieved and see if it all lines up. Is your dog a mix breed? Does he come from a long line of poodles with hip problems and poor temperaments? Correlate all of the information you retrieved and fill in the flow chart. Then list out the pedigree, as you understand it.