All “Papers” Not Created Equal (NAPSA)—It wasn’t hard for members of a recognized breed cuddly Miniature Poodle puppy. record keeping and identification, and many will register dogs with Kansas City resident Gladys Gillihan to decide that she wanted a She found a breeder who advertised an American Kennel Clubregistered Poodle—complete with “papers’—and she assumed that was what she was getting. When she picked up her puppy, the breeder said she’d send “papers” in the mail. But the “papers,” which Gilli- han knew she needed to register her dog with the AKC, never arrived. Repeated phonecalls to the breeder went unanswered. “All too frequently we hearthis samestory from disappointed puppy over generations), most have no system for monitoring their care, little or no proof of lineage. “With a purebred, a large part of what the consumeris buying is the dog’s pedigree—proof of its heritage—which provides insight into the dog’s eventual appearance, temperament and suitability to their lifestyle,” added Peterson. “But if you don’t do the research and find a responsible breeder, disreputable breeders or deceptive retailers may be able to take advantage of you.” The following tips from the AKC will help ensure you get a happy, buyers,” said Lisa Peterson of the AKC. “Some claim they were intentionally misled by a puppy seller who implied that the dog was AKC-registrable and ~~ a — later sent them papers from another registry—or they received no papers at all.” With more than 20 different / * healthy puppy: e Find a responsible breeder with many years of experience and at least one dogclubaffiliation. ~ eIf “papers” aren't available at the time of delivery, wait until the breeder receives them before you pay for canine registries in the U.S., the term “papers”is often confusing to some first-time puppy buyers. your puppy. dards and registration criteria, so puppy buyers should familiarize similar namesandlogos. e Make sure to get “papers” Each registry has varying stan- from the registry you were promised. Many registries have themselves with these registries puppy with the AKC, get proper before they select a breeder. The 122-year-old AKC is the only registry in the U.S. with a stringent inspections program and care and conditions policy that helps ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the dogs. While a few registries require dogs to be purebred (bred from documented e If you wish to register your documentation. AKC does not accept registrations from most other registries. e Keep in mind that once you complete the transaction, there is often no recourse for an unsatisfied buyer. To find a responsible breeder, visit www.akc.org.
