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Popular belief:
To most people, purebred is a dog that is easy to recognize such as a Poodle, or a Labrador as opposed to a mixed breed. For most, a registered dog is a "real" purebred that costs more (!!!).
Facts:
A registered dog is a purebred dog that has been recognized as such by an organization such as the Canadian Kennel Club. To register a the dog, the CKC must be able to trace the animal's roots and establish that both its parents were registered. In addition, a purebred dog must be permanently marked with either a tattoo or microchip. If the dog you are interested in is not marked with either one of these two permanent means, he is not registered and never can be a purebred dog. Breeders are forbidden to claim that a dog is purebred if the animal does not have a registration certificate. Section 64 of the Animal Pedigree Act (http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/a-11.2/text.html) stipulates that:
The Act:
Section 64 – No person shall:
(g) knowingly offer to sell, contract to sell or sell any animal in a manner that is likely to create an erroneous impression that the animal is registered or eligible to be registered;
(h) offer to sell, contract to sell or sell, as a purebred of a breed, any animal that is not registered or eligible to be registered as a purebred by the association authorized to register animals of that breed or by the Corporation;
Section 66 - 1) Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act or the regulations :
(a) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars; or
(b) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand dollars.
Quality vs Registered!
Most people will opt for a registered dog to be sure they are getting a quality animal. Even though a registered dog might be of better quality than a mixed breed, a registration certificate does not guarantee the animal's health or temperament. Registering a puppy, his health and his temperament are all separate issues to be discussed with a breeder of your choosing. Be wary of answers such as: "Will my dog have dysplasia?" No, he's registered"; "Will my dog be good with children?" Of course, he's registered. ONE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER!
What's the point of having a registered dog, if he only lives a few years?
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