Registering Your Čuvač
The Slovenský Čuvač is a purebred dog that originated in Slovakia. So what is a purebred dog? Purebred means that the dog’s parents are both of the same breed and have pedigrees that show generations of ancestors of the same breed. Purebred dogs may be registered with a specific breed club and may also be registered with a kennel club. These clubs are called registries. There are a number of kennel clubs in the United States that act as registries for purebred dogs. But since the Slovenský Čuvač is such a rare breed in America, many are unregistered. Čuvač dogs that were imported in the 1980s and 90s were sometimes not even registered in their countries of origen.
Having a dog with registration papers and a pedigree does not make them better, healthier or more valuable than a dog without papers and pedigree. The papers only prove your dog is purebred. But if owning a purebred dog is important to you and you want to be sure your dog is purebred, then the registration papers and pedigree are important. They are especially important for people who want to breed purebred Slovenský Čuvač dogs.
Cuvac USA wants all Slovenský Čuvač dogs to be registered. If you plan to breed we recommend registration with the American Kennel Club (AKC) Foundation Stock Service (FSS). Currently, Slovenský Čuvač dogs are not fully recognized by the AKC because there are not enough of this breed, or owners and breeders in the USA. But Čuvač dogs can be registered with the AKC's FSS. When we have enough dogs registered and have owners and breeders spread out across the country, we will qualify for the AKC's Miscellaneous Class, and maybe someday receive full registration benefits.
In the United States, American breeders may use a variety of registries depending on where the sire and dam are registered and if they have the proper paperwork to prove their dog is purebred. If the sire and dam are not registered it may be difficult to have your dog registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Cuvac USA is currently working with the American Kennel Club's Foundation Stock Service to register Slovenský Čuvač dogs all at one time to get a group discount. If you are interested in registering your Slovenský Čuvač who has not been registered in the USA, now would be a great time to do it. Contact us and we will get the forms to you and tell you what you need to turn in to us to get your dog registered.
Dogs Born in the USA
If you purchase a Čuvač puppy from a breeder in the USA, they may or may not have registered their puppies with one of the dog registries listed below. Some breeders register the litter but leave it up to the the buyer to pay the fee to register the dog individually. Cuvac USA breeder guidelines will require that breeders register their litters and pay the fee to register the puppies. Later the breeder transfers ownership to the puppy buyer as part of the buyer's contract.
Dogs Born Outside of the USA
If you import a Slovenský Čuvač puppy to the United States from a foreign country you should receive an export pedigree from the breeder from the country where the puppy was born. You may then use that pedigree to register your puppy with the AKC's Foundation Stock Service or another dog registry.
So why register your pup?
Registries like the AKC keep records of purebred dog breeds and issue pedigrees. These are proof that you have a purebred dog. The integrity of pedigrees and ownership records is one of the most serious concerns for any breed. Registration also allows the dog to compete in dog shows sponsored by the registry association which brings recognition for the breed. Some registries also inspect breeder kennels and have members follow guidelines and a code of ethics.
Registries
Along with the AKC, the following groups recognize or accept registration of Slovenský Čuvač dogs: FCI, ACR, APRI, ARBA, CKC, DRA, NKC, UKC, AKC FSS and other international registries.
ACR = American Canine Registry
AKC FSS = American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ARBA = American Rare Breed Association
CKC = Continental Kennel Club
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc. [formerly the US Kennel Club]
FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
NKC = National Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel Club
