For transfer of ownership of a dog, please click HERE
Registering your pedigree dog or litter of puppies:
The Maltese National Canine Federation’s (MNCF) registration system is akin to a family tree record - it is a simple record of a puppy's birth and keeps track of the dog’s registered ownership.
For the BREEDER:
Ways to register your litter:
1. First, make sure you have an Affix (Kennel name) registered with the MNCF. This is only done once and the Affix remains attached with the breeder for future litters. The Affix appears as part of the name of all the dogs bred by that breeder, it is always shown in the beginning of the dog's name, so that the dog is identified as being bred by a particular breeder just by looking at his name. Most people use their nicknames as an affix, or part of their name and surname etc. A registered Affix is always unique and no other similar Affix will be registered, even if it is different but phonetically sounds similar to an already registered Affix. Therefore, when applying, it is necessary to choose 3 different Affix names just in case the one you choose is already registered. Affix Application forms can be downloaded by clicking here. (For computer fillable forms, go to Forms section)
2. Both the Sire (father of the puppies) and the Dam (mother of the puppies) MUST be registered with the MNCF, and that the registered owners are in fact those people that are filling in and signing the form. Therefore it is important to make sure that both the sire and dam are registered with the MNCF, otherwise the application cannot be processed. If you as the breeder have your bitch registered with the MNCF, you still have to make sure that the sire (the dog you are mating your bitch to) is registered with the MNCF, if not, insist with the owner of the sire to register it as otherwise you will end up with a litter of dogs without pedigrees
- For puppies born on and after the 1st of April 2023, a DNA Genetic Identification certificate for the sire and dam (father & mother of the puppies) must be presented for the registration of the puppies, otherwise the application will be refused. The DNA profiling can only be made by the approved Vets and only using the Agrotis Laboratory. Click HERE for the list of Vets that can perform this procedure.
4. Complete the Form 1 - Litter Registration Form by filling in all the details required, I.D cards and telephone numbers of both the breeder and the owner of the sire, (signatures and ID Card numbers of both are required), name of the Sire & Dam, their microchip numbers, date of birth of the puppies, their genders and their colours in the appropriate sections of the litter registration form. Make sure to register the litter at your earliest, preferably before the puppies go to their new owners so that you will be able to present the registration certificate to the new owners. If the puppies are 4 months old or older on date of registration, then the microchip certificate of each puppy will be requested, otherwise the litter will NOT be registered.
Please remember to complete all sections of form and return it to the MNCF. Application processing usually takes up to 7 days to process and so we kindly urge breeders to complete the application as early as possible to ensure the relevant registration documents are available for the puppies' new owners at the time of sale.
5. Present the completed litter registration form to our Office (we are open every Wednesday between 7.30pm-9.00pm). Directions to our office can be found HERE. You can also send the form by post (NOT registered). Payment can be done in cash, cheque payable to MNCF, Revolut or BOV Mobile Transfer to 99471413. When choosing the latter two options, always make sure to insert a note with the name of the person so that we will know whom the payment is coming from and for what.
What happens when the litter is registered?
Once registered, you will receive individual registration papers (Registration Certificate) for each puppy. Please check the documents to ensure the details are correct, and then sign and pass to the new owner to enable them to transfer ownership.
BREEDING RESTRICTIONS
The Maltese National Canine Federation will not accept an application to register a litter or dog when:
1) The dam has already whelped 6 litters (Legal Notice 199 of 2011, paragraph 10 (3) )
2) The dam has already reached the age of 7 years at the date of whelping,
3) The dam was under one year old at the time of mating, (Legal Notice 199 of 2011, paragraph 10 (3) )
4) The dam had another litter within the previous 12 months. (Legal Notice 199 of 2011, paragraph 10 (3) )
5) The offspring are the result of any mating between siblings (brother and sister).
6) The Sire or Dam of the puppies have an endorsement (*R*) registered with the MNCF.
Please note that the MNCF does not register Merle colored dogs in the following breeds:
Bulldogs
French Bulldog
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Bull Terriers
Chihuahua (long and smooth)
Chow Chows
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
How do I register pedigree puppies with the MNCF?
Completing the Form 1 - Litter Registration Form. The breeder is the person who owned the dam at the date of birth of the puppies. The Sire dog owner should complete their details and sign the form.
Can any pedigree puppy be registered with the MNCF?
Both mother (dam) and father (sire) of the litter must be registered with the MNCF. Ownership details of both parents must be correct at time of mating for the stud dog and date of birth for the dam.
Are there any restrictions that would prevent me from registering my pedigree puppies?Yes, if any of the following apply:
- The dam has already whelped 6 litters (Legal Notice 199 of 2011, paragraph 10 (3) )
- The dam has already reached the age of 7 years at the date of whelping,
- The dam was under one year old at the time of mating, or
- The offspring are the result of any mating between father and daughter, mother and son or brother and sister,
- The dam has already had two litters delivered by caesarean section, save for scientifically proven welfare reasons and this only normally provided the application is made prior to the mating, or
- The dam was not resident at a Maltese address at the date of whelping.
- If either the dam or sire of the puppies are endorsed with progeny not eligible for registration (i.e. that there is a restriction on file at the MNCF that prevents any puppies from being registered). Please refer to your owner certificate if you are unsure, the endorsement will be clearly displayed either by *R* or *X* or both, Such marks will be displayed after the name of the dog/bitch on both the Registration and Pedigree Certificates.
- For puppies born on and after the 1st of April 2023, a DNA Genetic Identification certificate for the sire and dam (father & mother of the puppies) must be presented for the registration of the puppies, otherwise the application will be refused.
Is there a time limit to register a puppy on the Breed Register?
There is no time limit although we advise that the breeder registers all the puppies in the litter at the same time at approximately 4 weeks of age so that documents can be received and passed to the new owner so they can complete change of registered ownership. If the puppies are 4 months old or older on date of registration, then the microchip certificate of each puppy will be requested, otherwise the litter will NOT be registered.
Additions to a litter or registering a puppy over 12 months of age would be subject to a late registration fee.
My bitch has had 2 litters within a 12 month period, can I register the litter?
The Laws of Malta clearly states that no bitch can whelp more then one litter within any 12 month period. (Legal Notice 199 of 2011, paragraph 10 (3) )
Maltese Animal Welfare Legislation states:
- Not to mate a bitch less than 12 months old.
- Not to whelp more than six litters from a bitch.
- Not o whelp two litters within a 12 month period from the same bitch.
- Not to sell a puppy until it is at least eight weeks of age.
My bitch is under 12 months of age can I breed from her or register a litter?
NO! In line with the Maltese Animal Welfare Legislation of 2011, the MNCF cannot consider the registration of a litter from a bitch that has been mated under 12 months of age. So, theoretically, the bitch has to be at least 14 months old when giving birth to the puppies, otherwise, registration of the puppies will be refused.
My bitch is over 8 years of age can I register puppies?
NO! The MNCF will not register a litter out of a bitch that is over 8 years,
How do I register a litter if an overseas sire has been used?
In order to register a litter, when the sire is registered overseas, you will need to provide us with a certified copy of the Three-Generation Pedigree issued by the overseas Kennel Club. This will need to confirm the pedigree details and the current registered ownership. We require this to be sent, with the litter application form. There is a fee to record the sire. If the dog in question has already been recorded, we require no fee or pedigree to be sent, unless, the ownership has changed.
Do you accept registrations of puppies produced by Artificial Insemination (AI), even if the stud dog used is domiciled outside of Malta?
The MNCF accepts applications for registrations of puppies produced by Artificial Insemination, even if the stud dog used domiciles outside of Malta. For this you need to fill in Form 6 which can be downloaded from our website. See guidelines for this in the forms section.
My bitch has had puppies overseas, how can I register?
If you reside outside of Malta any litters whelped would be out of our jurisdiction and it would be advisable to contact the Kennel Club of your country for advice on registrations.
Do you accept half brother and sister matings?
At present the only close matings we do not accept are:
- Father and Daughter
- Mother and Son
- Brother and Sister
What are the rules regarding naming of puppies?
There are several rules regarding the naming of puppies and a guide to naming follows-
- A name must consist of more than one word but not exceed 32 letters (including a Kennel Name).
- A name which conflicts with an approved current Kennel Name granted to another person will not be accepted.
- A registered name cannot be repeated within a breed.
- The surname of the applicant is not acceptable.
- A word cannot be repeated when naming puppies.
- If a Kennel Name (Affix) is to be used when registering a litter, the Kennel Name must appear as the first word in the name.
- Numbers in figures and initials are not acceptable & abbreviations may be disallowed.
- Canine terms are not permissible e.g. 'dog', 'bitch', 'kennel', 'champion', 'Crufts' and specific names of breeds.
How much does it cost to register?
The cost is €35 for each Litter of puppies to be registered, or €20.00 for any Single dog registration (dog which was bred in Malta, for imported dogs, the Registration fee is €30.00). Always check for the current fees.
Can you help me find new homes for my puppies?
The MNCF can help you find suitable homes for your puppies by means of advertising on our Website. An Advert for the duration of one month only costs €5.00.
How do I go about placing endorsements on my own puppies?
You can do this at the point of registration providing that the dog is in your physical possession. You can place an endorsement by completing the appropriate section on during the registration process. The breeder must advise any prospective new owner in writing that there is a restriction on the puppy prior to the puppy being collected. (Any such agreement must be in writing and signed by both the breeder and new owner). Details on endorsements can be found (HERE).
How long does it take for a litter registration to be processed?
As a guide please allow 7 days for the processing of registration applications that have been completed correctly. However, if there are any queries arising this may delay the process. Please note that other additional services i.e. pedigrees will be mailed out under separate cover.
How old does a male dog have to be before he can sire a litter?
We do not have any age restrictions on using a dog for sire, although it is advisable to ensure that any relevant health tests have been completed before breeding.
What is the difference between a Registration Certificate and Pedigree Certificate?
Upon registering a litter of puppies you will automatically receive a Registration Certificate for each puppy that has been registered. The registration certificate displays all the relevant information on the registered dog, i.e the breed, name, registration number, date of birth, colour, name of Sire and Dam, breeder and name and address of the registered owner. In addition to all this, the Pedigree Certificate shows 3 Generations of the ancestry of the dog and can be likened to a family tree. It is an additional item to your registration.
Benefits to registering your litter MNCF Breed Register
- Prospective owners know registered puppies have been bred with care and can be confident that the dog they chose will display the proper characteristics of the breed in both looks and temperament
- Individual registration documents issued for each puppy registered
- Opportunity to purchase an official MNCF three generation pedigree, taking pride in your breeding
- Advertise MNCF registered puppies for sale on our Puppies Available service (which receives many searches every day providing responsible new puppy owners)
- All breeders who register their puppies with the MNCF accept the jurisdiction of the MNCF and undertake to abide by its General Code of Ethics.
The MNCF Breed Register is only available:
- to those puppies where the sire and dam are in, or have been transferred to, the registered ownership of the owner of the dog
- as long as the sire was mated with a dam of the same breed which is also MNCF registered.
Registering your locally bred dog (Registration of the dog not being done by the breeder):
We recommend that when buying a puppy, it is ideal that the puppy has already been registered by the breeder, as if not, the process and costs to register it may be more expensive. As if the puppy has already been registered by the breeder, all you have to do is make the transfer of ownership, whilst if it was not registered, then you have to fill in the appropriate form and obtain the signatures of the breeder and owner of the sire (father of your dog). Mores o, if the sire and dam of your dog are not registered with the MNCF, these have to be registered and their pedigrees obtained, as otherwise, registration of your dog will be impossible. Furthermore, whould any of the owners of the sire or dam not want to pay for registration of their dogs, then you will have to endure the expense of registering them yourself as otherwise the process of the registration of your dog will stop there.
If the puppy you bought wasn't registered already by the breeder (which should have), you have to endure the process yourself. This includes obtaining the signatures of the breeder and of the owner of the sire (father) of your dog. Both the Sire and Dam of your puppy must be registered with the MNCF, otherwise the registration cannot be processed. Also, if your puppy is a result from a mating which infringes any Maltese Legislation or MNCF Regulation, it WILL NOT be registered. This is why we stress and insist that you should make sure that the puppy is already registered before you buy it. However, if you already bought an un-registered puppy, you can start the process of registration by downloading a Single Registration Form. We recommend that you microchip the puppy and have the microchip registered at the vet of your choice, and wait for the microchip registration certificate to be received by the relevant Government department before applying to register your puppy with us, as a copy of the Microchip Certificate is required for registration. Complete the form by filling in ALL the details required in the form, including ALL signatures and I.D Cards required, and return it together with the Microchip Certificate to the MNCF with the relevant payment, either by post or personally by coming in person to our offices. (See opening times in CONTACT page on this website). Cheques should be made payable to MNCF. Please note that postal orders or money orders are NOT accepted. Please DO NOT send by registered post as the office is unattended during the morning and there will be no one to sign for the registered letter, and this will eventually be returned to you uncollected.
If your dog has been imported from a foreign Country, then it is important that you have the EXPORT PEDIGREE issued by the Kennel Club of the Country it came from and showing you as the owner of that dog. Therefore, a copy of the Export Pedigree is always needed when registering an imported dog, as only when you have this document can you register the dog and it's progeny. To register an imported dog, Form 5 (Registration of an Imported Dog) shall be used.If buying a dog from abroad, make sure you will get an Export Pedigree issued by the Kennel Club of the Country from which you are getting the dog. Without the Export Pedigree, your dog cannot be registered in Malta. The form 5 (Application to Register an Imported Dog) shall be used to register an imported dog.
Registering an Imported dog (dog bred overseas):
To register an imported dog, the relevant form (Form 5) must be filled. Also, a copy of the Export Pedigree issued by the Kennel Club of the Country of origin must be attached with the form. Without the Export Pedigree, the dog cannot be registered in any other Country, so it is important when importing a dog from abroad to ask the breeder for it. The MNCF recognizes only Export Pedigrees issued by the Kennel Club (U.K), The American Kennel Club, the Canadian Kennel Club and any other overseas Kennel Club which is affiliated to the FCI (The FCI Logo will be printed on the Export Pedigree).
For the Registration of an Imported Dog Form, click HERE.
What is an Affix (Kennel Name) ?
An Affix (Kennel Name) is an exclusive word that is associated with you and your dogs. Known as your 'breeder signature', a Kennel Name will set your puppies aside from those of anyone else.
It is now an MNCF requisite that all dogs should carry an affix in their name. Single barrel names such as Rocky, Rambo, Becky or Beauty are not accepted anymore as these can lead to hundreds of dogs carrying the same name. By having an affix (kennel name) registered, the breeder has his own trade mark name on his puppies.
Let’s say for example, a breeder has the affix “Camelia” registered on his name. He can register a dog named “Camelia Rocky”, which ensures that no other person use the same name on his dog, since the affix “Camelia” is already registered. Rocky can be used with another affix, i.e “Kamajsa Rocky”. However, the breeder can only use a name once, say, if he named a dog “Camelia Rocky” he cannot use the same name in another litter, but he can have “Camelia Rambo”, “Camelia Becky” etc. The registration of the affix is done only once and it remains yours for future litters. Many people will find difficulty in finding the right affix, however, most use their nicknames as affixes, as long as it is not already registered by someone else.
You can include your Affix within the names of your puppies at the point of registration as well as add to an existing name of a dog in your current registered ownership.
Application for an Affix (Kennel Name)
You can apply for your unique Kennel Name by completing the form at our offices. Alternatively, you can download an Affix Application Form from the FORMS section on our website and return to the MNCF with your payment. A Kennel Name must be one word only, and at least 4 and not more than 12 characters. The Kennel Name may only be used for the naming of dogs where the ownership of the Kennel Name and the registered ownership of the dog are identical. Once you have an Affix registered on your name, it will remain yours and will be used in any future litters or dogs you might have.
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To download the relevant forms and more information please click here:
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May we remind that according to Legal Notice 199 of 2011, paragraph 10 (3)
No person shall:
(a) mate a bitch which is less than twelve (12) months old;
(b) whelp more than six (6) litters from the same bitch;
(c) whelp two litters within a period of twelve (12) months from the same bitch;
(d) sell a puppy before it is at least eight weeks old.
Therefore, the Federation will not be registering puppies which infringes the above mentioned Regulations. Also, the Federation will not register puppies whelped by bitches of 7 years or over at date of whelping, and of puppies or dogs whelped from siblings (sire and dam being litter brother and sister).