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Companion Dog Registry 

CDR registers mixed and purebred dogs. Registration is open to all dogs of Companion Dog Project members. To qualify for full (breeding) registration specific criteria must be met for temperament and health. 

CDR Verified Litters may be registered from the pairing of two fully qualified parent dogs. 

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Our registry is hosted by Functional Dog Data, the database platform of the Functional Dog Collaborative

 

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Only CDP member breeders are eligible to register dogs.

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CDR Full Registration Requirements 

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CDP member breeders are encouraged to register all of their dogs. Dogs who have not yet met all requirements for full registration will be accepted on limited registration. Dogs registered with limited registration can be converted to full status later when health testing is complete if desired.  Limited registration dogs are not eligible to be parents of CDR verified litters. CDP member breeders click here for additional information about the registration process. 

 

​All registered dogs whether limited or full registration must have verified breed content. This can be accomplished through an Embark DNA profile or AKC registration of both parents of puppies or the registered dog itself.

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The Companion Dog Registry supports breeders working to develop new lines/breeds/types . We can add the name of your developing breed to the breed list when the following are in place:

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1. More than one breeder working toward the same defined goals

2. Written standard developed

3. Publicly accessible information online describing your standard and providing  contact information for your group

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Requirements to register a dog with full (breeding) status

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1. Temperament:

 

  • Bite history: Dogs with any human bite history are not eligible. Dogs with a known Dunbar scale level 3 bite  history in a sibling or parent are not eligible. Dogs with history of bites on other dogs requiring veterinary care may be considered on a case by case basis.  

 

  • Resource Guarding: No history of aggression toward humans when in possession of a toy or food item. Tolerates other known dogs in the household without biting or excessive guarding. 

 

  • Tolerance of examination: able  to undergo veterinary examination and routine preventive care without the need for  sedatives, behavioral medications, or excessive restraint  

 

  • Response to new environments: Able to remain composed while  walking on a leash in unfamiliar public areas where it encounters unknown dogs and humans without excessive guidance from the handler. Ideally this is achieved without formal training or conditioning. 

 

  • Response to new humans in familiar environment: Tolerates unfamiliar visitors to its home environment without an aggressive response and preferably a pro social response. Ideally this is the case with minimal to  no training having been provided.

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  • Response to new dogs in familiar environment: Tolerates unfamiliar dog visitors to its home environment without an excessive aggressive response and preferably a pro social response.

 

  • Separation: Over 6 months of age, is able to tolerate being alone for up to four hours without harming itself through attempts to escape, compulsive behaviors or soiling. 

 

  • Unacceptable Behaviors: any submissive urination or consistent excited urination past 6 months of age, compulsive behaviors such as licking, spinning, fixation on environmental stimuli, persistent attempts to escape confinement despite adequate exercise and stimulation, inability  to be reliably house trained by 6 months of age, prey drive that if unmanaged could reasonably be expected to result  in the injuring of a domesticated cat or dog, human or dog aggression, resource guarding toward humans.

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2.  Health

 

Dogs are expected to possess acceptable levels of inherent health. Dogs should be robust, tolerant of exercise,  and free from chronic allergies, immune conditions, or digestive trouble. Dogs with chronic conditions may be considered for registration as part of a breeding strategy to reduce health issues over time. 

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CDR Health testing guidelines are designed to be customized to risk level for specific dogs, to avoid unnecessary sedation or burdensome testing, and to utilize the available tests most effectively to prevent actual disease.  â€‹â€‹

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​https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-oneill-mvb-phd-frcvs-disorder-testing/id1513602865?i=1000658191915

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  • DNA testing based on breed content​​​. Embark panels are preferred but additional testing may be required in certain breeds/mixes which are known to be affected by mutations which Embark does not test for.​

    • CDDY/IVDD:

      • ​All dogs should be tested for CDDY/IVDD prior to breeding

      • Dogs with one or two copies may be bred

      • Breedings that produce  puppies with either one or two copies of CDDY are eligible for CDR registration but should be part of a defined strategy to eliminate CDDY/IVDD, with the goal of producing breeding prospects, not simply for the production of pets

      • Until further evidence is available about the prevalence of pain in CDDY affected dogs is available, litters in which every puppy is expected to be homozygous for CDDY will not be eligible for CDR registration

      • Puppy buyers should be made aware of the risk of CDDY/IVDD affected puppies prior to placing deposits

      • All puppies in affected litters should be tested prior to placement, and status should be considered in placement decisions

      • Puppy buyers should be provided with educational materials outlining their individual puppies status, and when applicable, strategies for preventing injuries, and signs of pain to assess for 

      • Puppy owners should be encouraged to share educational information with their veterinarian

    • DM ( Degenerative Myelopathy):

      • All dogs should be tested for DM prior to breeding

      • Dogs with one or two copies may be bred

      • Breedings that produce  puppies with one copy  of DM are eligible for CDR registration but should be part of a defined strategy to eliminate DM, with the goal of producing breeding prospects, not simply for the production of pets​

      • Litters in which any puppies are produced that are homozygous for DM are not eligible for CDR registration regardless of breed or mix​

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  • Additional DNA testing requirements will be determined for each individual applicant based on family history, breed content and size.    https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/

  • Family history of a testable disorder listed below in a parent, full sibling, or offspring means that test is required for registration. History in an aunt, uncle, cousin, or half sibling makes the test strongly recommended but not required. 

  • Breeders are required to report all occurrences of testable disorders in registered puppies to CDR and will be expected to adjust disorder testing in response as needed.

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Initial disorder testing guidelines for dogs with no known occurrence of a disorder in a sibling, half sibling or parent, and no history of producing puppies with the disorder:​

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INDIVIDUAL/BREED EXCEPTIONS MAY BE MADE.  PLEASE INQUIRE. BREEDS/MIXES WITH DEMONSTRATED LOW INCIDENCE OF ANY DISORDER DO NOT REQUIRE TESTING FOR THAT DISORDER.

 

Hip Radiographs evaluated by PennHip or OFA​

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Elbow Radiographs evaluated by OFA over 12 months of age

 

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Patella testing submitted to OFA after 12 months of age

  • Required for breeds or mixes containing 25% or more of any breed with a 10% or higher  prevalence of abnormal results per OFA statistics 

  • Recommended for all dogs under 30 pounds​

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Cardiac Echo submitted to OFA after 12 months of age

  • Required for breeds or mixes containing 25% or more of any breed with a 10% or higher  prevalence of abnormal results per OFA statistics 

  • ​Recommended for all others

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3. Structure:

Submission of side view photo, and photo of head required. Dogs should be moderate and balanced without deformities or extremes of conformation. Extremes of conformation or brachycephaly may be considered as part of a program to improve health and function. 

 

4. Breed history:

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Documentation of breed content as revealed by Embark testing and/or pedigree. Purebred dogs registered with AKC, UKC, or other approved registry do not require DNA testing for breed verification. All mixes and unregistered dogs require Embark testing. Dogs with significant breed content that is traditionally not consistent with the goals of the breeding strategy may require additional documentation of temperament or be declined. Dogs with wolf content will not be considered. 

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Breeding Strategy: 

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  • ​The goal of pairings is to produce puppies with highly social, resilient, low aggression temperament suitable for life as a family pet; who possess good inherent health, lack of any disease significant impacting quality of life; and sound structure that allows ease of movement and normal exercise tolerance

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  • Breeding goals which include an aesthetic component are acceptable if temperament and health are consistently prioritized above appearance in breeding choices 

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  • Carrier status of recessive mutations should not be used to exclude dogs from breeding unless all other factors are equal. . Pairings will not be made between two dogs carrying the same deleterious recessive mutation without a strategy to reduce prevalence over time. 

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  • Temperament should be the highest and most important consideration when choosing breeding candidates and matching pairs, followed by health, then structure and appearance

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  • Sociability with humans and dogs is the most important aspect of temperament to be considered

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  • Overall resilience should be emphasized when choosing candidates

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  • Selection for individual desired traits, and the frequent introduction of new stock, will be emphasized

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  • Predicted genetic COI of puppies will be < or = to 10 % 

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  • The use of the oldest possible appropriate healthy stud is encouraged

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  • Natural mating is encouraged for at least the first breeding of each dog, to establish its ability to do so. Inability to mate naturally should be considered a negative trait and breeding away from this concern is expected 

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  • Successful unassisted natural whelping and mothering of puppies is a breeding goal. Inability to do so should be considered when making breeding decisions, and breeding away from this concern is expected 

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  • Fertility should be considered and unexplained small litter sizes should be bred away from 

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Requirements to register a litter:

 

  • Sire and Dam must be CDR registered as adults (studs not owned by members can be used without registration if all requirements are met) 

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  • First time pairings require documentation of predicted or actual genetic COI of 10% or less. Mixes with known pedigree and no breed overlap (F1 or equivalent) may be assumed to have COI <10%

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  • Past litters may be registered up to 5 years after date of whelp assuming all requirements are met

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  • Dogs with unknown parentage should be fully socially mature (2-3 years old) to establish adult temperament prior to breeding. 

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  • Females should be bred no earlier than second heat AND over 18 months.

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  • Males should be bred no earlier than 15 months old

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  •  Skipping heat cycles is optional and should be based on veterinarian recommendation, breeding goals, and the condition of the dog. No female may be bred more than 4  times or after age 8 without prior examination and approval of a licensed veterinarian 

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  • Dogs should be in overall good health at the time of breeding with normal appetite and having no sign of illness, in healthy body condition, with good mobility of all joints, at a healthy weight, parasite free and up up to date on vaccines as recommended by a licensed veterinarian 

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  • Puppies will be microchipped with a chip permanently linked to either the breeder or the CDR prior to leaving the breeders possession. FiNano chips are optionally included with litter registration at no extra cost. 

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  • Puppies will be:  examined and vaccinated as recommended by a licensed veterinarian prior to leaving the breeders possession.

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  • Breeders will provide CDR approved written information about how/when to communicate concerns or diagnoses and encourage owners to share with their puppies veterinarian.

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