How to check a dog's pedigree: the easiest ways

December 22, 2019
Dogs and hunting with them
Ekaterina Gordeeva

Once upon a time there was a man who dreamed of a dog with all his soul. Only this person was sincerely perplexed: what is the difference between dogs from elite nurseries and the most ordinary ones bought at the “bird” market or through an advertisement on the Internet? Why pay more for a puppy when you can get it cheaper?

And one day a man bought a dog from an advertisement. Together with the pet, the owner was given a small piece of paper with a seal, explaining that this was a real pedigree. But over time, it turned out that our hero was “cheated”, his dog was a cross between a “bulldog and a rhinoceros”, and his pedigree was “fake”.

Due to the fact that such situations occur quite often in everyday life, the question arises: how to check the pedigree of a dog? This is what we will talk about.

Pedigree is...

When planning to get a puppy, it is worth studying not only the characteristics of the desired breed, but also the nurseries that sell its representatives. Why nurseries with their sky-high prices? Yes, because when buying a puppy there, the owner will receive a real pedigree and will not find himself in the situation described above. It is unlikely that such an owner will have to think about how to check the dog’s pedigree in the future.

Let's start with the very concept of "pedigree". This is a document confirming the purebred of the animal. There are several types of pedigrees.

What is the procedure

Next, we will talk in more detail about the branding procedure itself, the rules for using tools and what the marks look like. It is important to remember that before applying the mark, it is necessary to carry out a number of preparatory procedures.

Removing hair from the area where the mark will be located. It should be noted that according to the rules of the RKF, the mark can only be located on two areas of the skin: in the groin or on the dog’s ear.
Skin disinfection is very important to protect your puppy from various inflammations.
Applying a stencil to the selected area. Most often, a regular helium pen is used for this. Then comes the marking process itself, during which a number of tools are used.
After branding, the area should not be wetted for a week.

Devices used

During the branding process, a number of tools are used, such as: special ink, a branding tong or a branding pen.

A pen kleimator is a special tool that looks like a regular pen with a needle at the end. It works on the principle of a regular machine that is used to tattoo people. When pressed, the rod pierces the skin and releases a small amount of dye. The device is easy to find in specialized stores.
Claimator tongs are a device that resembles flat tongs, in the blades of which there is a compartment for typing a code. Each symbol here is made in the form of a separate plate on which several needles are applied. Typically this tool is used to brand the ear. After the punctures are made, the area is covered with a special tattoo paste. After some time it falls off, leaving a black mark. This device is easy to find in specialized stores. Using forceps works faster and more painlessly than using a pen.
The most common tattoo ink used is the same as for people, but always black.

In general, the entire procedure for branding one puppy takes from 2 to 5 minutes. Next, we will discuss existing tagging rules in more detail.

Rules

First of all, it is important to know that dog branding is carried out in the interval from 45 days to 2 months of the life of a puppy of any purebred litter. According to the RKF rules, it is prohibited to brand adult dogs. The mark is applied by a veterinarian or the owner of the nursery himself. Before the procedure begins, each puppy in the litter is examined, litter inspection reports are drawn up, in which data and codes for the puppies are entered. In addition, the code of each mark must be registered in the RKF.

After making the marks, marks are placed in the club’s general litter card. The data is also entered into the puppy’s metrics and breeding documents.

It must be remembered that over time the tattoo begins to fade and becomes fuzzy. In order to update the trail, you need to contact your nursery. Next we will talk in more detail about the meaning of brands.

Types of pedigrees

We'll talk about how to check a dog's pedigree a little later. Now it’s worth considering the types of this document:

An international pedigree is required to take a dog abroad. As a rule, such a document is needed for foreign exhibitions, matings and traveling with your pet.
RKF pedigree is the most common option. RKF is the Russian Cynological Federation, in which nurseries engaged in breeding one or another breed are registered. The presence of the RKF pedigree confirms the purebred of the pet.
Pedigree SKOR (Union of Cynological Organizations of Russia). Often, newbie dog lovers have a question: why are SKOR dogs worse than RKF dogs? The fact is that the RKF does not recognize pedigrees obtained from SKOR, therefore dogs from there are prohibited from taking part in exhibitions held under the auspices of the RKF. And SKOR dogs are much simpler in appearance than RKF dogs. To get a SCOR pedigree, it is enough to take the animal to a couple of exhibitions and get positive marks.

Finding a dog's owner in club stud books

Once all the numbers and letters have been identified, it is worth figuring out which of them may be useful. Depending on the order in which the letters and numbers are, as well as how many there are, you can determine in which kennel the dog was born (provided that it is purebred), and contact the breeder and ask for information about the owners. Most often, conscientious nursery owners store this data.

First, it’s worth understanding what brands different cynological federations have, then it will become clear how to find a dog’s owner by brand:

The mark consists of 3 Latin letters and numbers (their number varies from 1 to 6 characters). Such a mark was most likely given by a breeder or a club - a member of the RKF, and the data is stored in their database. The letters indicate the name of the kennel where the dog was born. By contacting the Federation with a written request (or by email), you can find out the name and contact details of the nursery.
How else to find the owner of a dog using the RKF mark? The brands of this organization did not always look the same. If the mark consists of 3 Russian letters and any number of numbers, then this means that it was also put by members of the RKF, but only until 2005. If the dog is elderly, then it is likely that data about it can also be found in the Federation database.
The brand code begins with the letter E, followed by one or two numbers, then any Latin letter and again three or five numbers. A combination of two letters and numbers, these are the marks that are given by the Union of Cynological Organizations of Russia (abbreviated as SKOR). The numbers after the letter E indicate the year the dog was born. The following are serial numbers in ascending order. All information about clubs can be found by writing a letter to SKOR.
The dog's brand number begins with the letters KW (Kind World), followed by numbers and letters in random order. The mark was put by the International Association of Cynologists “Kind World” (abbreviated as IAC “Kind World”). The brand codes of all association clubs are available for independent search on the official website of the Federation.

It is worth remembering that when sending a written request to any cynological organization, you must indicate the full stamp number, the estimated breed of the dog, color, approximate age and, if possible, attach a photo of your four-legged friend.

The Federation will not send the applicant the address of the alleged owner, but the contact information of the nursery where the dog was born. The breeder usually always keeps the contact information of the dog's owners. Experienced dog breeders claim that a good breeder treats his puppies like children and, most likely, will offer to take care of the foundling and further search for the owner.

Obtaining a pedigree

Before you think about how to check a dog's pedigree, you need to understand how to get it.

The pedigree is obtained through the breeder after the dog reaches 15 months of age. Before this, the main document is the “puppy card” - a kind of pet birth certificate. Once the animal reaches the stated age, the “puppy” changes to pedigree.

Branding of adult dogs

Personal identification can only be applied to young individuals. This is due to many reasons, among which the most important are the following:

According to Russian law, all animals bred for commercial purposes must be branded before reaching 47 days of age;
The needle of the claymator is unable to pierce the skin of adult individuals.

If for some reason the puppy was not branded in a timely manner, then in this case an electronic chip is implanted into adult dogs.

By appearance

How to check the authenticity of a dog's pedigree? If the owner holds a document of a certain type in his hands, then he can be sure that the pedigree is real. It's all about the hologram and watermarks, which are noticeable upon closer inspection of the pedigree, as well as in the profile image of the greyhound.

Let's talk a little about deciphering the RKF pedigree. In the center are the dog's details: name, breed, date of birth, brand, color, breeder and owner. The document must contain information about the pedigree and its serial number in the RKF.

Under the numbers “1” and “2” are the dog’s father and mother, followed by grandparents, great-grandparents.

Where and how to look?

This aspect deserves special attention. So, here, in fact, we have come to the answer to the question of how to recognize the owner of a dog by its brand. The answer is quite simple: contact the nursery where you purchased the animal. Unlike electronic identifiers, tattoos do not have a centralized database, so it will not be possible to obtain any information online. If you have lost your four-legged friend while walking, then you should not wait until they call you. Go around all the places you've been. Dogs have a well-developed sense of smell, so if they smell a familiar smell, they can find it.

Another effective method is posting advertisements. In it you need to indicate as detailed information as possible about the animal, attach a photo and indicate the amount of reward that the finder will receive. It is advisable to make the text large so that it is easy to read, since not all people pay attention to advertisements. It is best to post near veterinary clinics, pharmacies and pet stores. Also, do not ignore crowded places. As a last resort, you can look into kindergartens and schools and ask the children for help. They love animals, so they will gladly respond to your request.

Experienced breeders recommend calling all dog boarding centers, shelters for homeless animals and septic tanks. Your dog could be mistaken for a stray, especially if it did not have a collar with a tag, and taken into custody.

Every owner who values his pet should give it a brand. With its help, searching for an animal in case of its loss will be simpler and faster. If you do not want to further injure your four-legged friend, then he must have a tag with your information. However, it will only give results if the dog falls into the hands of honest people. Some people, when they see a well-groomed purebred animal, may want to keep it for themselves.

In addition to everything described above, you can also send your dog for special training. It is carried out taking into account behavioral factors and the nature of the area, therefore it can significantly reduce the risk of losing a pet.

According to the application to the RKF

Is it possible to check the pedigree of a dog (RKF) using the brand number? We will talk about this below. Now let’s talk about such a moment as an application to the specified organization.

Attention! An application can be written only if the pet has the RKF mark, otherwise the owner will be denied consideration of his application.

The application can be submitted electronically on the official website of the RKF, but it is better to go to the organization and write it in person. Of course, this option is only suitable for residents of Moscow and the surrounding Moscow region. RKF is located at:

Moscow, st. Gostinichnaya, 9.

Where and how to look for a dog?

In principle, there’s no point in making any guesses here: you need to search for the dog exactly in the place where it got lost, and it also wouldn’t hurt to look into the places where it often walked with its owner. Keep in mind that the pet's sense of smell helps him navigate , therefore, if you place personal belongings near the walking area, the dog will know about it and will come to wait for the owner.

Posting advertisements can also be of great help in finding a lost dog. When compiling them, you need to describe the appearance of your pet in all details, add a photo, and additionally indicate the reward . When writing an ad, it is recommended to omit the information that you have a rare breed dog. It is unknown who will contact you, because if they are scammers, then they can take advantage of the opportunity to profit from your grief.

Make sure that the tear-off strips on which you need to briefly write text with the dog’s characteristics are large.
After all , not everyone can remember this information after reading it .
It is recommended to post advertisements at the nearest veterinary hospital, pharmacies and pet stores. You should look in places where a lot of people gather, as well as near garbage containers and where other owners walk their pets. If your dog is missing at your dacha , then you should look in nearby villages. You might even want to reach out to schools and playgrounds asking the children to help. After all, they definitely won’t refuse the opportunity to earn money and participate in such an exciting business.

I would like to give one more valuable recommendation regarding the search for a lost dog. You should definitely visit all dog foster care centers, veterinary septic tanks and shelters . And during each visit, be sure to give employees a notice. Be sure to inform club representatives, breeders and kennels about the presence of a brand on your dog.

How to find a lost dog: chip

If you want to avoid losing your pet, you should use technical, psychological and training techniques.

Although some organizations are extremely critical of such measures, RFID chips have been increasingly used by many owners in recent years. In modern conditions, microchipping of animals has become a mandatory procedure that not only employees of canine organizations must undergo. Let's say, if you wanted to go to Japan, then your dog must be microchipped. If the animal has a chip that differs from the ISO standard adopted in Japan, then you will have to take the appropriate scanner with you.

By brand

How to check a dog's pedigree by brand? It's not that easy, but it's quite possible. There are two ways:

Directly in the RKF itself.
Via the Internet on special sites dedicated to certain breeds.

If you need to check the pedigree of a dog using the brand number through the RKF, you can call this organization, provide the brand and ask for the pedigree number. This method exists, but rarely leads to positive results.

It is much easier and more effective to check the pedigree of a pet using the brand via the Internet. There are a great many websites - databases that contain information about representatives of a particular breed, and indicate nurseries in whose stud books these animals are registered.

Finding a dog owner through databases

If you don’t have time to wait for a response from the Federation, you can try to find the dog’s brand in the animal database on the Internet, but there is no single database of the RKF or any other dog breeding federation on the Internet. Various Internet pages are filled with amateur dog handlers, often the owners themselves, who leave the details of their pet so that if it goes missing, it will be easier to find it.

There are many databases, this article describes only a few:

The database of nursery brands on the Infodog website is quite complete, reliable, and equipped with a convenient search. In this database, as a criterion, you can select both the brand and the city or breed in which certain nurseries specialize.
A constantly updated database on the website of the Zoo Club encyclopedia, numbering more than three thousand brands. In addition to addresses and telephone numbers, it contains not only the stamp numbers that the kennel puts now, but also shows the marks that were put on dogs before 2005.
The international database Pedigree Dogsfiles is a database of RKF brands that does not have a search tool, but checking a dog’s brand will not be difficult, because the letters of the brand are arranged alphabetically.
Claws Charity Lost and Found Dogs and Cats File. A resource that helps you find missing dogs and cats, or their owners, animals found on the street. The data comes from ordinary people. It would be a good idea to check the information on this website, maybe they are looking for the dog, or it has already been lost, and volunteers will be able to tell you about its fate.
The website of the Dachshund land dachshund breeding kennel is a complete database of old and new brands of RKF kennels, you can even try to look for a kennel that is no longer functioning, but perhaps the address and telephone number still belong to the breeder.
The national electronic identification database combines data on animals not only in Russia, but throughout Europe. In addition to the brand, you can find the owner of the dog if you know the number of the microchip implanted in him. The database contains data about the animals themselves and their owners.

If you find a dog on the street

So we found out how to check the pedigree of a dog by the number (RKF) of the mark. One of the easiest ways is a database provided on the Internet. Therefore, if you find a purebred (at first glance) dog on the street, first of all you need to examine it for the presence of a brand. For large dogs, it is usually placed in the ear or on the stomach. For small breeds - only on the stomach.

How to find owners for a cat?

How to find new owners for a kitten or cat?

Write an ad. ...
Place an ad on websites on the Internet. ...
Print advertisements and post them around your area, in pet stores, near the subway, etc....
Publish an advertisement in a newspaper such as "From Hand to Hand" or another classified newspaper.

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What is a brand?

Usually the brand is the first three letters of the name of the kennel, followed by the serial number of the dog. This serial number is entered into the pedigree, and the pet receives it at birth from the breeder. The breeder registers the newborn puppy in the nursery's stud book, recording its serial number. For example, if the puppy is the 200th born in this kennel, then its number will be “200”.

An example of a nursery brand: LIN 123. We have found out what the numbers and letters mean.

Cost of the procedure

The average price for applying a brand is 100 rubles, but it is important to understand that it may differ by region. If you personally do not want to take the puppy to the kennel, you can call a specialist to your home, but in this case, be prepared to pay about 500 rubles. This is the minimum cost. If you live far from an organization that provides animal branding services, the cost of the operation will be higher. When purchasing a purebred puppy from a kennel, you don’t have to worry about anything, since they apply an identifying code to the dogs immediately after birth.

We are looking for owners

You are lucky, the dog has a mark, and we managed to find out which kennel your find came from. The next step is simpler: we find the website of this nursery and the phone number of the breeder, call him and find out who the owners of the animal are.

If you advertise online that you have found a dog, be careful. “Owners” will come running for free, many want to take a purebred pet “for free,” but you are not a mistake either. Ask potential owners to check the dog's name and brand number.

Chipping

Today, more and more often, kennel owners and dog owners not only brand, but also microchip their puppies. This procedure does not replace, but complements branding. So, a microchip is necessary if you are planning to travel with your pet to Europe, the USA and a number of other countries. In addition, it allows you to quickly identify the origin of the dog. This is especially true in the event of the loss of a pet.

It is, in fact, not easy to check a puppy’s brand from the database, in fact, to establish the authenticity of the code, and therefore the purity of the dog’s breed. Therefore, you should approach the choice of a breeder and nursery very carefully, especially if you are planning to purchase a show or breed class pet. Trust only trusted breeders who are willing to honestly and openly provide all the information you are interested in.

A little about SKOR pets

Do you need to check the pedigree of a dog registered with SKOR? In fact, there are much more problems with such animals than with those registered in the RKF. Why? Yes, because SKOR has simplified requirements for obtaining pedigrees for its dogs, unlike the Russian Cynological Federation.

But this is a small digression. In order to check information about the dog's pedigree number in SCOR, you must follow the verification algorithm in RKF. The ideal option would be to search for the mark in the appropriate database, contact the breeder and subsequently the owner of the animal. But this is the case when we are talking about a found dog.

Breed information

Pugs are originally from China . They are very smart, calm, friendly and affectionate. Sometimes they are lazy, so it is necessary to train them from childhood, and also walk them twice a day.

You need to start training pugs from early childhood.

To more successfully carry out commands, try to have frequent contact with the puppy so that he remembers you faster.

There is no need to overload your pet with frequent execution of the same command. New teams need to be added gradually.

Puppies are very cheerful, love to play and have fun. They are quite unpretentious, but at the same time they are very attached to their owners, reliable, and, despite their small stature, they are always ready to defend the family.

Young animals need to be fed more often than adults, since during the growth period pugs spend a lot of energy and need vitamins.

The following scheme applies for puppies: 1 - 2 months - 6 feedings per day, 2 - 4 months - 5 feedings, 4 - 6 months - 4 feedings, 6 - 12 months - 3 feedings.

Problems when checking pedigree

Alas, representatives of the RKF and other cynological organizations often refuse to provide information about the dog’s pedigree. This is not surprising, since the pedigree is the main document, which, if translated into human language, is the animal’s passport. Who will provide passport data to a stranger? The same is true with the pedigree; it is easier to check the data on an animal by brand than to check the dog’s pedigree using the RKF number. After all, each such document has a specific number assigned to the animal in a given organization. If, of course, the nursery where the dog was born is registered with the RKF.

Search through databases of breed sites and forums

Is it possible to find a dog's owner using a brand in other ways? People often leave their data not in general, hard-to-reach databases, but on breed forum threads and in special sections of websites about animals. If the breed of the found dog is known, it is worth trying to look for contacts of the owner or kennel on the following resources:

Catalog of representatives of the German Shepherd breed Gsdog is a database of pedigree German Shepherds of the FCI system, whose representative in Russia is RKF.
The forum for collie and sheltie lovers contains on its pages data from kennels that breed Scottish Sheepdog (collie) dogs. Contact information may be out of date (information was last updated in 2013).
Russian Retriever Club. There is a sheet with the “prefixes” of labrador retriever kennels. Data on common Labradors may also be available from kennels registered on this site. It is difficult to search - the first letters of the marks are not sorted alphabetically.
Database of dogs of hunting breeds Huntdogs, a database of brands of dogs of hunting breeds constantly updated by animal owners. All information is divided into breed branches, so if the breed is difficult to identify, the search will become more difficult.

If there's nothing

What to do when you find a dog on the street, but there is no mark or chip? Moreover, it is clear that the animal is purebred, as evidenced by its exterior, but it is impossible to check the presence of a pedigree and find out which kennel the dog is from. In this case, it will not be possible to check the pedigree; you will have to look for the owners in other ways.

One option is to post about the found dog on social networks, taking several photos of the animal. It is advisable to post this post in local city public pages (groups), as well as on free city bulletin boards. You just have to be vigilant, because you never know who will want to introduce themselves as the owner.

In correspondence or telephone conversation with the owner, be sure to ask for the animal’s name, age, and special features. The owner wants to come pick up the dog? Very cool, just let him take his passports with him, both his own and the veterinarian’s. Isn't there any of this? To no, as they say, there is no trial.

What if the owner threatens to write a statement to the police, considering the person who found the dog guilty of stealing it? If there are no documents confirming that the animal is the property of this person, the latter will not be able to do anything. Be that as it may, a dog is property, and property requires certain documents. In our case, a pedigree indicating the initials of the owner.

What to do if the owners are found, but they don’t want the dog

Unfortunately, this often happens: the old owners are found, but they don’t want to return the dog. Then the person who found the dog should find out all the necessary information: the dog’s age, preferred diet, and also be sure to ask for a veterinary passport with vaccinations and the dog’s documents (puppy card or pedigree). If the would-be owners confirm their refusal in writing, that will be ideal. After this, you can look for the dog a new home where he will be loved.

If your dog is missing

Be prepared for the fact that those who find them will ask for a certain reward for the capture and maintenance of the animal. Of course, you can be indignant, and even contact the police, but anything can happen in life, and there are no guarantees that the dog will not disappear again. And then, if the animal is found by the same people, everything can turn out very badly.

So prepare a reward, the animal’s pedigree, your passport and name the distinctive features of the dog, its name and age.

How long does a dog bear puppies?

Pregnancy in pugs lasts about two months. At the very beginning, there are practically no changes in the appearance of the animal. But gradually the dog’s body begins to rebuild. After all, already from the second week, active growth of embryos begins in her stomach.

By the middle of pregnancy, the animal's behavior changes somewhat: the dog becomes less active, sleeps more, gains weight (which increases the need for food), its abdomen and mammary glands enlarge, and urination occurs less frequently.

For a more accurate result, you need to visit a veterinary hospital.

It is recommended to feed a pregnant dog three times a day.

Why do you need a pedigree at all?

First of all, in order to have proof of the purebred dog and its belonging to a certain breed. Pedigree is not a panacea for all ills; there are dogs from good kennels with an excellent pedigree, but a problematic psyche. However, this document gives at least some kind of guarantee to the owner.

The second point is what is described above. Pedigree is the main canine document. If an animal is lost or stolen, it will be much easier to return the pet. Dogs registered with the RKF must have a mark, which can be used to identify the nursery where the animal was taken from, contact the owner and return the pet to him.

Training so your dog doesn't get lost

You can reduce the risk of losing your pet if you train your dog properly. To do this, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the environment and the nature of the animal.

First of all, your pet must learn such simple commands as “Come to me” and “Stop, stay.” He must master them so well that he can carry them out unquestioningly under any circumstances. Then you don’t have to worry that your pet will be run over by a car, or he will scare those around him, or he will run away in an unknown direction. You should not try to catch up with the dog , shouting after him “I’ll kill you!” Come to me immediately! You should act completely differently - start running away from him, and it is best if you conduct training in a safe place.

Where do dog pedigrees come from?

Born from a purebred male and female, a puppy that does not have developmental defects or deviations from breed standards is purebred. This is confirmed by an official document - a pedigree. A kind of family tree - a pedigree - does not guarantee the suitability of a particular dog for service, training, or performing assigned tasks or work. The pedigree only indicates that the puppy was obtained through the breeding line, and there are no other impurities in its “blood”.

Such an official document is necessary in order to gain access to matings, participation in specially organized exhibitions, and further registration of the dog, if the owner wishes, in a dog club of a certain breed. The confirmed origin of the puppy and its purebred allows the offspring obtained from it to be sold at a higher price, which is invariably more profitable for professional breeders.

It is worth noting that getting access to breeding even a purebred puppy with a dog that has a good pedigree is not so easy. A male or female dog that is planned to be used in the future to produce purebred offspring, in addition to its pedigree, must participate in special dog shows, taking prizes at least 2 times.

Regular breeding examinations and passing tests for disciplines appropriate for a particular breed are also mandatory. This is necessary to confirm the working and physical qualities of an individual animal. Puppies will be valued higher, their cost will be higher if the parents are of high rank.

Changes and strict compliance with breed criteria are monitored by specialists from cynological federations and clubs.

Why do you need to brand a puppy?

The brand is necessary to identify the dog:
if you want to determine the authenticity of a pedigree and other breeding documents. In this case, the brand acts as a guarantee of the pure breed of the puppy;
if you have lost documents on the puppy’s pedigree and you need to restore them;
if the dog is lost or stolen, it is the brand that will allow it to be identified.
if you want to insure your pet. A clear brand is one of the main requirements for dog owners from insurance companies;
if you want to take your pet abroad. The customs veterinary service requires a stamp;
if when purchasing you want to check the age and breed of the dog, its place of residence, origin;
if you decide to take part in a dog show.