Labrador Puppy Documents: Health Record, Microchip and Pedigree

When your puppy comes home, especially if you’ve never had a dog before, your life will change a little. But at the same time it will gain something special: the affection and complete devotion of a Labrador puppy is the greatest gift, and from that day on you’ll have a new member of the family.

That’s exactly why collection day isn’t only an emotional moment. It’s also when you receive your puppy’s documents, which tell you where it comes from, how it has been cared for and who is responsible for it. In this guide we look at what they are, what they should contain, and how even these details can tell you whether you are dealing with a serious breeder.

When you buy your puppy, ask the breeder about anything you’re unsure of: health, care, feeding and training. A good breeder is happy to answer, before and after you take your puppy home.

The health record: your puppy’s medical ID

The most important document to check is the health record (in Italy, the libretto sanitario). It should include:

• the puppy’s details: breed, sex, colour and date of birth;
• the microchip number, matching the one on the dog registry;
• the dates of the worming treatments already given, with the product used;
• the vaccinations given, with the vaccine stickers attached to the record;
• next to each vaccination, the date, stamp and signature of the vet who gave it.

You don’t need to work out the booster dates yourself: the vet writes them in the record, and your own vet will confirm them at the first check-up. We recommend booking it in the first few days after your puppy arrives home, and taking the record with you.

Microchip and registration

In Italy microchipping is compulsory. Your puppy should come to you already microchipped and registered on the regional dog registry (anagrafe canina), with ownership transferred to you. Check that:

• the microchip number in the health record matches the registration documents;
• the puppy is registered in your name, or that the breeder explains how to complete the transfer;
• your contact details are correct: if your dog is ever lost, those details are how it finds its way back to you.

Taking your puppy abroad: pet passport and travel rules

If you live outside Italy, or plan to travel with your dog, you’ll need extra paperwork. To travel within the European Union a dog needs a microchip, an EU pet passport and a rabies vaccination, which can be given from 12 weeks of age and is valid for travel 21 days after the first dose. Rules outside the EU differ: the United Kingdom, for example, has its own requirements for dogs entering from Italy. Check the current rules for your country well in advance, and talk to us about timing when you book.

The ENCI pedigree: why it doesn’t come with the puppy

A pedigree Labrador puppy must be born to parents registered with ENCI, the Italian Kennel Club (a member of the FCI), and the litter must be registered. The pedigree, however, isn’t handed over on the day you collect your puppy: it is issued by ENCI’s head office in Milan and sent to the ENCI office for your area, usually a few months later.

On collection day the breeder should still give you the details of the litter and the parents. Be wary of anyone who promises a pedigree “that will follow” but can’t show you the parents’ papers, or who offers a puppy “with or without pedigree” at different prices.

The parents’ genetic tests

A responsible breeder has the breeding dogs genetically tested and X-rayed for hip and elbow dysplasia, and shows you the results. In Labradors the most important tests cover diseases such as PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), EIC, HNPK and CNM. You can see the results for our dogs on the Our Labradors page.

Contract, feeding and advice for the first days

As well as the official documents, always ask for:

• a written sale contract, with the puppy’s details and the agreed conditions;
• feeding instructions: what the puppy has eaten up to that day, how much and how often. Changing its diet suddenly in the first few days is one of the most common causes of tummy upsets. If you’re interested, here is our approach to natural dog food;
• advice on growth and training for the first months.

Checklist: documents to check on collection day

• Health record with the puppy’s details and microchip number
• Worming treatments with dates
• Vaccinations with stickers, date, stamp and the vet’s signature
• Dog registry entry and transfer of ownership
• Details of the litter and the ENCI-registered parents
• Results of the parents’ genetic tests and X-rays
• Written sale contract
• Written feeding instructions
• For travel abroad: EU pet passport and rabies vaccination, or the papers required by your country

What you receive with a MyLabrador’s puppy

Our puppies go home after 90 days of age. As well as the documents listed above, every family receives:

• a health record with worming and vaccinations recorded by the vet;
• microchip and dog registry entry;
• the ENCI pedigree, which reaches your local ENCI office a few months later;
• Allianz third-party liability insurance;
• lifelong feeding advice for your dog, included;
• our puppy guide in PDF, reserved for MyLabrador’s families.

Find out more about what’s in the puppy kit and how booking a puppy works, or browse our Labrador FAQ.

Frequently asked questions about puppy documents

Which documents should the breeder give me with my puppy?

A health record with worming and vaccinations signed by the vet, a microchip with registration and transfer of ownership, details of the litter and the ENCI-registered parents, and a written sale contract.

Does the pedigree come with the puppy?

No. The pedigree is issued by ENCI and sent to the ENCI office for your area, usually a few months after you take your puppy home.

What should the health record contain?

The puppy’s details and microchip number, and the dates of worming treatments and vaccinations, with the vaccine stickers and the stamp and signature of the vet who gave them.

Who tells me when the vaccine boosters are due?

The booster dates are written in the health record by the vet. Your own vet will confirm them at the first check-up, which should take place in the first few days after your puppy arrives home.

What do I need to take a puppy from Italy to another country?

Within the EU a dog needs a microchip, an EU pet passport and a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel; the vaccine can be given from 12 weeks of age. Countries outside the EU, such as the United Kingdom, have their own rules, so check them well in advance.

Is microchipping compulsory?

Yes, in Italy microchipping is compulsory and every dog must be on the dog registry. Your puppy should be handed over already microchipped, with ownership transferred to you.

Thinking about a Labrador puppy?

We breed black, yellow, fox red and chocolate Labradors with ENCI pedigrees in Modigliana (FC), Italy, from health-tested parents. A visit to the kennel is always required before booking: it’s the perfect time to meet the parents, see their papers and ask all the questions you like.

Discover our puppies or contact us to arrange a visit.