As with anything in the World of Animals [humans included] there is a certain amount of interest in the Ancestry of the extant progeny: this is important, in the main, for the tracking of Genetic Particularities or Phenomena.
Doctors are always asking their patients whether such-and-such ever happened in their Family. Likewise, a prudent breeder of organisms should be keenly aware of What Came Before: in the World of Canine Breeding, this type of knowledge is of extreme importance. Of course, this knowledge is of the utmost importance in the breeding of any kind of organism.
Many people believe that Pedigree's are an immediate sign of Snobbishness of the worst kind. In some cases this might be true, but in the vast majority, where Ethical Breeders are concerned, this is most certainly NOT the case. A full Pedigree, going back as many generations as is possible, allows the breeder the chance to inquire as to the general health and well-being of the Line of Progenitors: this information can usually be discovered without too much trouble. The veracity of the reports must, of course, be verified. A full Pedigree also allows the prospective purchaser of a puppy the chance to do their own background research. It is a kind of insurance policy. There is always risk, but the risk involved here falls into the category of 'Known'. A puppy sought from a non-pedigree-supplying breeder [sometimes called the 'backyard breeder', or worse still, the 'PuppyMill breeder'] involves a risk factor almost entirely based on the 'Unknown'. The average Lay Person, for example, when purchasing a puppy at a Store, is often given what they assume to be a Pedigree or a Certificate of Registration. In fact, what they are given is nothing more than a receipt for purchase. You would be very surprised as to how many people arrive at their local Vets with their animal, are asked to provide a Pedigree [to show that the animal is Pure Bred for one] and they do produce a paper, but this paper is nothing more than either an Invoice or a standard receipt. This is not their fault as most people have no idea what a Pedigree actually is.
A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION is only given to those Breeders that are members [in Good Standing] of a National Kennel Club. If the breeder, for instance, is American, they might be a member of either the United Kennel Club [UKC] or the American Kennel Club [AKC] and, so long as they have been abiding by the rules and regulations of that Club, they can apply for Certificates of Registration for litters born. Each newborn is duly registered in the National Registry for same. A CERTIFICATE OF PEDIGREE is also prepared for each newborn as well. The Pedigree lists all those 'registered' ancestors or next-of-kin that are 'on-the-books'. This is much the same thing which occurs in Canada: we have our own Governing Club [a sub-department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture] which is the Canadian Kennel Club [CKC]. We at Zanzara Afghans are a registered kennel with the CKC and are also registered as a kennel in the County of East Hawkesbury.
Being active members of a National Club is not cheap. Whenever a litter occurs the breeder must cover the expenses for veterinary fees, training costs and registration charges. This is on top of managing a clean and healthy environment for the kennel inhabitants currently running about [or lounging about , as the case may be]. As you can imagine, this sort of hobby tends to overshadow all other interests of the breeder: it is a huge commitment. You must really love what you are doing. This comes easily to us since we just simply love our Afghan Hounds and animals in general.
There is much more to know concerning the above and we shall strive to add various informative sections to this page in the very near future. Your questions are welcomed and you can send them to us at postmaster@zanzaraafghans.org whenever you wish. We always respond as best we can.