How to Check a Dog's Pedigree

Co-authored by April Power

Last Updated: November 11, 2022 References

If you have a dog that is purebred and that has been transferred to you according to the regulations of the kennel club it belongs to, it should have a pedigree record. This record contains information such as the dog’s name and registration number, and the names of its ancestors. If you have lost your copy of your dog’s pedigree, or just want to check the information contained in its pedigree record, you can obtain a certified copy of the information from its kennel club. You may also be able to verify your dog's parentage through DNA testing. Note that "pedigree" is not interchangeable with "purebred" — a pedigree includes specific information about a dog's family lineage, not just breed information. If you're trying to determine your dog's breed, try How to Determine Your Dog's Breed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Ordering a Copy of Your Dog’s Pedigree Certificate Online

1
Contact your kennel club to get a pedigree certificate. Some kennel clubs now offer online certifications of a dog’s pedigree.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} In order to find out whether or not this option is available to you, contact the kennel club your dog is registered with. Prices and information for these online certificates will vary depending on your kennel club and the type of certificate you would like. For instance:
- Four generation pedigree certificates are available in hard copy from the American Kennel Club (AKC) starting at $32.^{[2]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
- Online pedigree certifications from the AKC start at $15 for four generations and $17 for five.
- The AKC also offers DNA testing for purebred AKC registerable breeds only. The DNA testing does not evaluate the breed of the dog nor does it replace AKC registration requirements.
- Pedigree certificates from the Kennel Club (UK) range from £10 (three-generation pedigree) to £23 (enhanced five-generation pedigree).^{[3]
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  Research source}
2
Create an account with the kennel club website. To order an online copy of your dog’s pedigree, you may need to create an account with your kennel club’s website first. Visit the website and search for “pedigree” or “pedigree certificate,” and follow the directions provided.
- You can also call your kennel club’s customer service line for assistance.
- Be prepared to provide your dog’s kennel club registration number, as well as contact and payment details.
- If you do not have your dog's registration number, you may be able to search the kennel's registry database for your dog by name and breed.
- You can order a pedigree certificate from the Kennel Club (UK) simply by visiting its website and filling out a form. You do not need to create an account, but you will need to provide your dog’s name and kennel registration number, as well as your contact details.
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3
Begin the ordering process. Visit the website of your kennel club. If you have an account with the club, log in. Navigate toward the section of the side dedicated to pedigree certificates, and follow the instructions provided.^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} Provide your dog’s registration number (or name and breed, if applicable), and select the type of pedigree certificate you would like.^{[5]
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Research source}
- If you do not have its registration number, you may be able to enter your dog’s breed and name and select it, choosing from among several dogs of the same name, if applicable.
4
Enter your payment information and any other necessary information (such as an email address) to complete your order. Look for a confirmation that your order has been successfully received; this may be emailed to you, or appear onscreen at the end of the ordering process.
5
Wait to receive your dog’s pedigree certification. Once you have ordered the certification, it may take a short time (such as fifteen minutes) to generate. If you have an online account with your kennel club, it may list the order as “in process” or “generating.”^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
6
Save the certification. Once your dog’s pedigree certification has been generated, you can review the information. The report will list your dog’s name and registration number, as well as information about its ancestors. You should save a copy of the certification by using your browser’s “Save As” function.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Ordering a Hard Copy of the Pedigree Certificate

1
Choose which type of certification you want. Your kennel club may offer several types of pedigree records. The AKC, for instance, offers two types of pedigree certificates for registered dogs, three-generation and four-generation, while the Kennel Club (UK) offers three- and five-generation certificates.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}^{[9]
X
Research source} These certificates will vary by price and by the information they report. For instance:
- A three-generation certification from the AKC provides the names, registration numbers, and coat colors for fourteen immediate ancestors of your dog. This certification costs $25.
- A four-generation certification from the AKC provides the names, registration numbers, and coat colors for thirty immediate ancestors of your dog. This certification costs $32.
2
Order the certification.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} Contact your kennel club for specific information about how to order a pedigree certificate for your dog. You may have several methods available for ordering a certificate. If your dog is registered with the AKC, for instance, you can order a hard copy pedigree certificate by using one of the following methods:
- To order your certification by mail, send your request (listing your dog’s registration number or name and breed, your contact details, and the type of pedigree certificate you would like) along with a check (payable to AKC), money order, or credit card information (name, address, telephone number, cardholder’s name, credit card number and type, and expiration date) to: American Kennel Club, 8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27617-3390
- To order your certification by fax, send your request to: 919-816-3740
- To order your certification by phone, call 919-233-9767. Customer service agents will guide you through the ordering process.
- To order your certification by email, send a request to orderdesk@akc.org
3
Receive your dog’s pedigree certification. It may take some time, such as two weeks, for the certificate to be mailed to you.^{[11]
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Research source} The certificate will list your dog’s name and registration number, as well as information about its ancestors. It is usually printed on high-quality paper, suitable for framing.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
4
Keep a copy of the pedigree record in a safe place. You may choose to frame your dog's pedigree certificate, or keep it stored in a secure location, such as a locked safe. Make several copies of the pedigree for your records. Your dog's pedigree certification contains valuable information, and you may need it if your dog ever transfers ownership, enters a competition, etc.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Verifying the Pedigree via DNA Testing

1
Contact your kennel club. The American Kennel Club and the British Kennel Club both offer DNA testing services.^{[13]
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Research source} These tests usually take four to six weeks to complete, and are available for a fee. Your dog's parents (the sire and dam) must have their DNA registered and in he database for this to work.
- The AKC offers DNA testing for purebred AKC registerable breeds only. It will not determine your dog's breed and will not work with mixed breeds. You can purchase a kit without upfront cost and pay $50 when you return it, or pre-pay for a kit for $45. The AKC has the world's largest database of DNA profiles, which helps them verify your dog's parentage and pedigree.^{[14]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
- If your dog has DNA profiles for both its parents on file, the British Kennel Club can order a parentage and pedigree analysis. The analysis is £25 for each puppy or dog, plus £25 to verify parentage. If you don't have DNA profiles on file, you can request them at a cost of £25 per dog.
2
Get your dog's DNA. This is usually done by swabbing the inside of your dog's cheek to collect cells. The profiling kit will usually include a wand that looks a bit like a long q-tip or mascara wand.
- Unless otherwise specified, make sure that your dog has not eaten or drunk anything before collecting the cheek swab sample.
- In some cases, the cheek sample doesn't provide enough cells for analysis. The lab will contact you to request a blood sample if this is the case. Your vet will need to draw the blood sample. Do not attempt this yourself, as you could injure your dog.
3
Return the DNA sample to the lab. Usually, you will receive results in four to six weeks.

Expert Q&A

Question

How much does it cost to get papers for a dog?

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The cost of papers really depends on the breed registry. The cost should be anywhere from $25 on up.
Question

Can you get a dog AKC registered without papers?

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

It may be possible, but you will have to contact the AKC for specific instructions. They will require a number of different things to verify your dog's breed.
Question

What does 'champion bloodlines' mean?

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

This means that one of the dog's ancestors has won a championship in show or breed.