How to Know If a Dog Is Purebred

Knowing an individual's purity level isn't relevant to its daily wellbeing. That said, it's an important detail if you plan to enter dog beauty shows or become a breeder. So, how do you know if your dog is purebred?

There are documents that certify this, but they're not always available. In this case, there are other ways to know whether a dog is purebred in Spain. Let's look in detail at how to find out.

What Is a Dog's Pedigree?

When we talk about a dog's pedigree, we should think of two things. On one hand, there's the individual's biological ancestry, referring to its physical traits inherited as part of a particular breed.

That's why we say a dog "has good pedigree" when it meets the anatomical and personality criteria set out in the breed standard, like black-and-tan coloring in the German Shepherd, or the droopy jowls of the Bulldog.

These traits are usually reflected in a document, also known as a "pedigree," which includes the following information:

• Genealogy and the number under which the dog was registered
• Date of birth
• Registration date and document issue date
• The individual's name
• Breed
• Variety
• Sex
• Color
• Championship titles
• Microchip number
• Breeder's name
• Date of ownership transfer
• Owner's name and address
• Authorized signatures from the Royal Spanish Canine Society
• Ancestors' names and registration numbers

The pedigree also certifies the dog is purebred, with no undesired crosses among its ancestors. All this is based on the information breeders provide the RSCE when registering their litters in the Spanish Book of Origins (LOE).

To obtain this certificate, you need to demonstrate the individual's breed purity across several generations. The official federations of each country manage and grant these. In Spain, the entity determining whether a dog is purebred is the Real Sociedad Canina (Royal Spanish Canine Society). If a dog was purchased from a professional breeder, they'll usually also give you its pedigree.

Dog Breeders in Spain

The best way to make sure a dog is purebred is for it to come from a quality breeder, with proper, clean, spacious facilities that ensure the wellbeing of the puppies and adult dogs living there.

These establishments usually handle registering the litter's individuals in the relevant records and obtaining documentation confirming their purity. The cost of these certificates is often included in the sale price.

Also, professional breeders will give you a deworming and health certificate, signed by a vet. This guarantees the puppy's good health status. You should also receive information and advice about the breed's traits, its main needs, and how to properly care for the individual, especially during its first months of life.

The minimum age to bring home a puppy varies between different Spanish regions. In some, it's possible from 6 weeks old, and in others, from two months. That said, weaning recommendations differ depending on the breed, so you should check with a vet or the breeder's staff.

And what happens if our companion is a gift, or we can't access any document validating its purity? If we think the dog meets the standards and want it to have a pedigree, its purity can be certified through a somewhat more complex process.

How to Get a Dog's Pedigree in Spain

If you believe a dog meets a breed's official standards and want to obtain its pedigree, you need to process its initial registration with the Real Sociedad Canina Española and enter it in a national or international show recognized by the RSCE. Remember, the dog needs to be over a year old and have the mandatory microchip.

At the show, it'll be examined by experts, who'll determine whether it's purebred. To do this, they'll assess aspects like its head and body shape, its coat's characteristics, and also analyze its gait and whether its temperament matches expectations.

If considered a purebred individual, it'll be awarded the Breed Certificate and registered in the Spanish Book of Origins as the first in its family tree. That said, the pedigree is only granted after two generations of purebred lineage. Once the individual has grandchildren certified as purebred, both it and its descendants will earn their pedigree.

Finally, remember that official standards are often stricter than what you can observe with the naked eye, and it's possible your dog isn't 100% purebred. In such cases, ask yourself: is a purebred dog really more affectionate, more attentive, or smarter than one that isn't? Your four-legged companion surely won't care about proving its family tree as much as making you happy and playing with you.