Registering your Welsh Sheepdog
Ensuring the lineage and working abilities of your Welsh Sheepdog is crucial. Discover how registering with The Welsh Sheepdog Society provides a valuable paper trail for good genetics, family lines, and proven working capabilities.
Why register your Welsh Sheepdog?
Registering your Welsh Sheepdog with The Welsh Sheepdog Society provides shepherds with a vital paper trail documenting good genetics, family lines, and proven working abilities. This formal recognition assures the quality and heritage of your dog, which is particularly beneficial for breeding purposes.
Eligibility for registration and breeding & membership.
In order to register puppies from birth, both parents must have full registration (full registration and a breeding licence). This ensures that all dogs within the society meet both the breeding and working specifications.
To become a member of our Society and contribute to the survival of this wonderful breed, please complete the standing order form below and send to the addresses attached.
Pricing is as follows;
- Membership (UK & Overseas) - £20
- Puppy Registration - £10*
- Prefix Registration - £10*
- Breeding License Assessment - £10*
*£20 for overseas.
All funds go directly to The Welsh Sheepdog Society and is our only income as a registered Charity. Any financial support is greatly appreciated.
The registration process explained
The Welsh Sheepdog Society keeps two registers
A register of puppies born of fully registered parents and a register of adult dogs holding a breeding licence. To fully register a dog;
- You must obtain a breeding licence before breeding from your bitch.
- Select a sire from the Welsh Sheepdog Society list of registered dogs at stud
- After service, the owner of the dog will complete and sign a service certificate. This should be returned to the Registration Secretary within 14 days.
-
- The Registration Secretary will issue a registration form, which should be completed and returned within 6 months of whelping.
- Registration certificates will be sent to the owners of the pups as detailed on the registration form.
To then get a breeding licence, The Welsh Sheepdog Society holds Assessment Days during the year. These are fairly informal and normally take place on a host farm using the resident sheep flock. Usually dogs would be expected to work a sizable group of sheep, though alternative arrangements can be made if the dog is only to be used on cattle. In order to determine the manner and strength of work and to reduce stress on the stock, it is essential that dogs be fully trained before they are presented for assessment. They should be at least 18 months of age and should normally be birth-registered.
Occasionally the assessors will consider granting a breeding licence to an animal that is not birth-registered. In this case, the parents and grandparents of the dog should be known and available for inspection.
The dog should be of sound and sturdy physical appearance. It should be able to move a flock of sheep in a masterful manner with a minimum of command and should preferably bark when required or under pressure. High tail carriage is preferred.
A dog will fail the assessment if it 'sets' when approaching sheep. Set is defined as a visible lowering of the body towards the ground, and/or stretching of the head and neck forward horizontally or downwards. Watching the sheep steadily or dropping the head slightly is acceptable.
A dog will fail the assessment if it is known to suffer from an hereditary disease or defect.
Benefits of registration with The Welsh Sheepdog Society
Registering your Welsh Sheepdog offers invaluable proof that your dog originates from good working stock with sound genetics. This certification is crucial for breeding purposes, allowing you to easily check and manage lines to prevent unwanted cross-overs and maintain the breed's integrity and working prowess.