Applying for a pedigree for your litter: from A to Z

Since 1 July 2025, a litter born in Flanders only receives a pedigree if it has been bred according to the breed’s approved breeding programme, through a approved studbook association. So start well before the mating. Many things need to be in place before the puppies arrive.

Step 1: check your breed’s breeding programme

Look up the breeding programme for your breed on the Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen website. There you can read which examinations your parent dogs need, from what age, and which results allow breeding, allow it under conditions or prohibit it. If there is no approved breeding programme for your breed, a Flemish pedigree is not possible. In that case, contact a recognised breed registry association or coordinating association; you can obtain a lineage certificate instead.

Step 2: choose a approved studbook association

You apply for the pedigree with a recognised breed registry association. Membership is not compulsory, but you do follow the breeding programme through that association. Ask about their procedure, timescales and fees. If you are unsure whether an association is recognised, Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen can confirm it ([email protected]).

Step 3: have the parents examined

Have the examinations required by the breeding programme for your breed carried out by a vet or a laboratory. Also have a DNA profile made of both parents; this is needed for the parentage check of the puppies. You choose between an STR and an SNP profile. Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen encourages SNP, because it also provides information on genetic diversity. With SNP, samples are taken from all puppies, but not every sample has to be tested: one sample is enough for 1 to 5 puppies, two for 6 to 10 puppies and three for more than 10 puppies. With STR, all puppies are tested.

Health tests in line with the breeding programme (for example hips, elbows, eyes or DNA tests for hereditary disorders)
DNA profile of the dam and sire
Having the results registered with your studbook association

Step 4: check the combination before mating

Before mating, check whether the planned combination complies with the breeding programme. Watch out for inbreeding: the puppies' coefficient of inbreeding may be no more than 1 per cent higher than the parents' average, calculated over at least three generations. Certain combinations are always prohibited, such as a bitch with her grandfather, father, brother, half-brother, son or grandson.

Step 5: after the birth

Follow your association’s procedure to register the litter.
Have the puppies microchipped and register them in your name in DogID, as required by law.
Have the DNA parentage check carried out according to your association’s rules.
Your association then issues the pedigrees.

Step 6: sale and paperwork

Hand over the pedigree when the puppy goes to its new home. In the guarantee certificate you can state that you will provide the pedigree at handover. Only mention in your listing that the puppy has a pedigree if it comes from a recognised breed registry association.

Checklist

Your breed’s breeding programme read
Approved studbook association chosen
Health tests on both parents done and registered
DNA profile of both parents
Combination checked against the breeding programme and for inbreeding
Litter registered according to your association’s procedure
Puppies microchipped and registered in DogID

Unsure about a step? Contact your studbook association. They know your breed’s breeding programme best.