[CorkyMax]

Found this long article on keeping records about our dogs. May have to put it in 2 or more separate posts and also will take me some time so bear with me until I finish it!
Have you ever needed to license your dog but couldn't find her spay certificate? Do you wonder when Rover is due for his vaccinations? Does anyone else know your dogs as intimately as you do, should something happen to you? Only the most organized people like recordkeeping, but it's a necessary chore, especially for dog owners.
--The easiest way to organize all your pets' records is to use a large 3-ring binder. To set up your binder, you will need one 3-ring divider for each pet and several plastic document protectors (the kind you can slip papers inside). Listed below are the pages to use to organize your pets' records. Type them in a format that is comfortable to you; then copy them so you have one for each pet plus some extras. Feel free to make any changes to suit your purposes or to omit any pages that don't apply to you. Use a series of these pages for each pet so you can keep each one's records separate.
--Page 1. A divider with the dog's call name typed or written in big , easy to read letters.
--Page 2. Identification. On this page, include the dog's registered name; call name; AKC, UKC, CKC or other registration numbers; date of birth; breed; sex; alteration status (spayed or neutered); breeder's name, address and phone number, or the place where you acquired the dog if not from a breeder.
----Also include a COMPLETE written description of the dog and several clear photographs of the dog. Update the description and photos as the dog grows up. Several breeds change drastically as they mature.
----Slip this completed page into a document protector to safeguard the pictures.
--Page 3. Health records. These should include all vet visits, both routine and emergency. Highlighting vaccinations with a brightly-colored marker makes it easy to find previous vaccination dates. Also include the dog's spay/neuter certificate. List OFA numbers for hip dysplasia and eye certification for those breeds with eye problems. Include any allergies that affect your dog: food, grass, fleas or medication. List the heat cycle dates for unspayed females.
----Follow this page with a document protector, which will hold all vet receipts after the visit has been entered on the health page.
---Page 4. Registration forms and pedigree. Place all papers relating to your dog's ancestry and registration in a document protector.
---Page 5. Training records. Jot down what classes have been attended and where, along with the instructor's name and phone number.
---It's a good idea to list the common commands your dog responds to. How do you ask it to releive itself outside? What is it's command to go to bed? If a stranger, or even a member of your family unfamiliar with the dog's care, had to take care of the dog, it would be much easier for both of them if the person knew which words were used for important commands.
---Page 6. Conformation show records. If your dog competes in conformation shows, keep a record of show dates, judges, comments on the judging, number of dogs competing and points earned.--CONTINUED---->

[CorkyMax]

----Page 7. Obedience trial records. Record trial dates, judge, judging comments, class entered, score, legs won and titles finished.
----Page 8. Miscellaneous activities. If you participate in any other activities with your dog, record them on this page. Such activities include Frisbee, herding, search and rescue work, carting, Schutzhund or lure coursing.
----Page 9. Brood bitch/stud dog records. If you area breeder, keep track of all breedings, even if there is no resulting litter. Include the dog's sire, dam, dates of matings, place of mating. OFA and/or eye certifications, date litter whelped, dogs/bitches, litter registration number, and names and addresses of new owners. Pictures of the puppies are also a good idea.
----Page 10. The last page contains the names and addresses of people who know your pet(s). This page is very important should there be any question regarding your dog's behavior. These people could also be very important to you if you need to rent a house or apartment. Give your prospective landlord this list, and explain that these people know your dogs and will vouch for their good behavior.
----When your forms are all typed up and copied, gather all your information, organize it chronologically (for each pet) and enter it in your book. This book is easy to update as long as you remember to use it. It's also easy to grab and take with you when your dog must go to the vet or boarding kennel. In case of an emergency, all your records are on hand. You don't have to rely on your memory. You can look something up and tell the vet, "Yes, my dog did have a reaction to this drug a couple of years ago."

Corky/Max talking here now: I always ask for all copies of whatever the vet has logged each time I go to the vet---including copies of all bloodwork, test results, etc. The bloodwork info is nice to have so you can compare previous results with the latest counts and see better where there could be a problem developing. This info is also good to have to take with you if you have to go to an emergency clinic/hospital---A basis for the dif. vet to go on--history of problems --bloodwork values, etc.

I also collect articles/data on important things to be aware of--symptoms, etc especially things that my breed of dog is prone to. And other articles that I want/need to know about------You will know when you see something that interests you that you want to save. Lol, if you are like me and save too much 'stuff'---Just put the articles of interest in a separate binder!

If this idea interests you--I suggest copying it to paper so you have the 'outline' handy to look at while you are organizing your binder(s).

[Dakota]

My record book in similar to the one mentioned above except I have my whole kennel in one binder. Now that I think about it, I need to get a bigger binder to put all of my papers in. When you have 8 dogs the papers tend to pile up. lol
I enjoy keeping a record of my kennel and since I am home schooled, my mom counts it as extra school work.