Pedigree, certificate of descent or nothing: what should buyers look for?

Since 1 July 2025, a breeder who says their puppies have a pedigree must be able to back this up with a pedigree from a approved studbook association, at least for puppies born in Flanders. But other papers are also in circulation. Here is how to know what you are getting.

Three types of papers

• A recognised Flemish pedigree: issued by an approved studbook association, bred according to the breed’s breeding programme, with DNA verification of the ancestry.
• A lineage certificate: issued for breeds for which there is no approved breeding programme (yet), and only preserves the available ancestry data. It must look clearly different from a pedigree and is not a pedigree.
• A foreign pedigree: is allowed for puppies born abroad, as long as this is clearly stated.

What does a genuine pedigree show?

• name and registration number of the puppy with the studbook association
• microchip number (DogID), date of birth, sex and breed
• at least one generation of ancestry, with the parents' identification numbers
• name and address of the breeder
• name, address and company number of the approved studbook association

Is the association recognised?

The pedigree shows the name, address and company number of the breed registry association. If you are unsure whether that association is recognised, Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen can confirm it ([email protected]). A document from the Société Royale Saint-Hubert (SRSH/KMSH) is a certificate of ancestry, not a Flemish pedigree.

Questions for the breeder

• Which studbook association is the litter registered with?
• Which health tests have the parents had under the breeding programme, and can I see the results?
• Has the ancestry been verified by DNA?
• Are the puppies microchipped and registered in DogID?
• Does the breeder have an approval number (HK number)?

A puppy without a pedigree

Buying a puppy without a pedigree is perfectly allowed: a breeder is not obliged to provide one. But ask all the more carefully about the parents’ health, because without a pedigree you have no guarantee that the breeding programme was followed. Be careful with crosses too: according to Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen, crossing breeds is not allowed for recognised breeders, unless the minister gives permission. Some popular crosses, such as the labradoodle, do have an approved breeding programme.

On Puppymakelaar, each listing states whether the puppy has a pedigree. When you visit, always ask the seller to show you the pedigree.