The French
Book of Origins
classifies dog breeds into 10 groups, which have been established by the
Fédération cynologique internationale
(FCI).
There are breeds of dogs with a certain number of characters, a physique or a specificity different from the others, according to their lineage or their origins.
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What is the LOF?
The French
Book of Origins
was created in 1885 by the
Société Centrale Canine
(SCC) recognized as a public utility by the decree of April 28, 1914. In 1957, the Ministry of Agriculture officially recognized this register as the
"Book French official genealogy for the dog area ”
.
The very first entry in the LOF dates from March 11, 1885 and concerns a French Pointing Griffon with woolly hair, named Marco.
This register makes it possible to list and certify the purity of a breed of dogs.
Only dogs registered and listed in the LOF are entitled to the designation
"purebred dog"
.
This name can also justify a higher price than that of a crossed dog during the acquisition.
How to recognize an LOF dog?
An LOF dog has a
birth certificate
attesting to its registration in the LOF by its breeder, or a pedigree when it has been confirmed.
This certificate is an official document containing the genealogy of the dog.
We find his parents, his grandparents or his great-grandparents.
It is possible to go back up to 5 generations (or more).
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It also certifies that the dog conforms to the characteristics set out in the standard of its breed.
A dog from two parents of different breeds or not belonging to a breed of dogs in the register may in no case be an LOF dog.
How to register your dog in the LOF?
There are several ways to register a dog for the LOF.
The most common is the inscription of the dog "
by virtue of descent"
.
This registration is obtained if the parents are already registered with the LOF.
The puppy will in turn be designated as conforming to the standard of its breed by a judge upon confirmation.
There is also the inscription
"on an initial basis"
, that is to say without origin (parents not LOF).
The dog must be recognized as conforming to the standard by a judge upon confirmation.
It also happens that, at the request of the Race Club and with the authorization of the Ministry of Agriculture, access to the LOF is temporarily closed.
This can occur when the population of this breed of dogs is too large.
It will then be necessary to request an inscription
"in the waiting book".
Finally, if it is a breed of dog imported and registered in a foreign herd book recognized by the SCC, it will be necessary to apply for an
“importation”
registration
.
What is confirmation?
A dog's LOF registration is not automatically assigned.
Indeed, a puppy from two LOF parents can receive a birth certificate and be
provisionally registered with the LOF
.
He will not be definitively registered in the LOF and will obtain his pedigree only after passing before a judge to validate his confirmation.
If the dog is said to meet the criteria of the breed, the judge then signs the certificate, which must be returned to the Société Centrale Canine.
The SCC will then return the final pedigree.
Finally, if the jury gives an
unfavorable opinion
, the owner of the animal can appeal and request a new presentation.
For this, the appeal must be made to the SCC within a maximum of two months after the negative opinion of the jury.
Namely, there is no maximum age for your dog to be confirmed, but a minimum age (adult size reached).
Can a non-LOF dog become LOF?
LOF registration is necessary for a dog to be legally qualified as a
"purebred"
.
If it is not registered with the LOF, we say that a dog is considered as
“of type of race”
,
“of appearance of race”
or even
“cross”
.
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Namely,
a non-LOF dog may become suitable for registration
if it has all the characteristics of a specific breed, while being of unknown parentage or from parents absent from the register.
You will then have to register your dog in the LOF on an “initial basis”.
Adopting an animal commits you, it's a decision that you will have to think carefully. Do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian or the shelter closest to you before starting. They can give you advice on which breed of dog is right for you.