WHY IS THE PEDIGREE SO IMPORTANT?

Usually we hear from people: " We do not need papers (pedigree), we have no plans for attending dog shows!" This is so wrong! Pedigree is so much more!

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Unfortunately, lot of people are not educated enough and have no idea what the pedigree is.
Pedigree is not a "piece of paper" needed for attending dog shows, pedigree is much, much more and people who plan to buy a puppy should really buy a puppy with a pedigree.

​The pedigree can be obtained by any dog ​​bred in the Republic of Croatia that is registered in the Croatian Pedigree Book.
The pedigree must be marked by the International (FCI - Federation Cynologique Internationale) and Croatian Kennel Club (HKS - Croatian Kennel Club) and has to contain data for the registration of the dog and three even four generations of ancestors.
In Croatia it is valid only when certified by the seal of the HKS, the signature of the head of the pedigree book of the HKS and when it has one of the types of marking the dog - microchip number.

When you have all of these, you can be sure you have pure breed dog!

But still, choose your breeder carefully - just because you're buying a pedigree dog, it doesn't mean also that the person you're buying from is a responsible breeder.

Responsible breeders do genetic testing of their dogs, x-ray rated by the Veterinary University and breed only with healthy and stabile dogs from the healthy bloodlines which have passed breeding exams and are pure representatives of the breed.

When buying a puppy, ask your breeder to show you all health test documents and champion certificates!!!

On the breeding exam, only those individuals that meet the breed standards (anatomy and the character) can obtain a breeding permit. For breeding exam dogs have to be over one year of age, and if they meet all the conditions prescribed by the above regulations, they receive a breeding permit and can be used for breeding. There are lot of regulations which breeders have to fulfill and this is why having a "pedigree dog" is so important.

After the puppies have been officially checked by the "Head of breeding" (HKS), the litter must be registered no earlier than six and no later than twelve weeks.
The pedigree is sent or given to the new owner within that period.
So don't fall for stories like "I didn't write them yet, but if you will ever need a pedigree, you can ask the Kennel club to gain it."
After the period of twelve weeks you will not be able to acquire it!

Buy your dog only at the breeders registered at the Croatian kennel club (HKS)!

Kennels registered only at the Ministry of Agriculture is
NO GO!

Ministry of Agriculture legitimizes the activity of breeding pets intended for sale without a pedigree. Namely, according to the new Animal Protection Act (Narodne novine 102/17 and 32/19), it can also be "the owner of three or more females of animals of the same species" who do not have to have a pedigree or passed a breeding examination.

The law in this case allows "backyard breeding!"

Backyard breeding is the practice of mating dogs with very little planning, preparation, and care for the future progenies.
 
Backyard breeders are often considered unethical dog breeders with profit-obsessed motivations.
They may let dogs reproduce freely without knowledge of their family histories (health and behavioral). They pay little or no attention to genetic health issues in both the parents and the puppies. They often charge less money for the puppies than a responsible breeder, but still more money than they should
(no one should pay for puppies that were bred carelessly). 

 And indeed this law, only seemingly "regulates" the breeding of pets intended for sale in Article 54. 

Breeders registrated only at the Ministry of Agriculture are not under control, their dogs are not genetically checked, x-rayed, they do not know anything about bloodlines, hereditary diseases, they are not attending breeding exams, etc. They probably do not have proper conditions for having puppies, their bitches are usualy birth machines. They just mate and sell dogs and this is very dangerous.
It is dangerous for the breed and also for the future owners.

Price should never be the tipping point when buying a puppy.
Responsible breeders have higher prices. If you see advertisement with a pretty low price, think twice!

If so, you are bound to turn a blind eye for a lower price tag, often completely unconsciously. This is what backyard breeders rely on to thrive: people accepting the unacceptable.

These dogs may seem less expensive, but in the long ​run, you may end up paying more for these dogs when health issues develop. In many cases, these dogs suffer because of health issues and these breeders will not take their puppies back if something goes wrong.