What Is the Certified Canine Dental Registry?
A standardized, veterinarian-certified record of a dog's teeth and bite — created by a breeder, for breeders.
The Certified Canine Dental Registry (CCDR) gives breeders, owners, and veterinarians one consistent way to assess, document, and register a dog's dentition. Every record is completed by a licensed veterinarian, tied to an identified dog, and kept in a central registry — so a dog's dental status is known and documented before it enters the show ring or a breeding program.
At a Glance
- What's recorded: every tooth, bite classification, alignment, and oral tissue health
- Who examines: a licensed veterinarian of your choice
- Who it's for: breeders, owners and buyers, and veterinarians
- Puppy or adult: deciduous (puppy) and permanent (adult) teeth can both be registered
- Cost: $25 per certification
Why the Registry Exists
In the conformation ring, judges check teeth. Many breed standards describe the correct bite and full dentition, and some treat missing teeth or a faulty bite as a serious fault or a disqualification. Teeth are also something a breeder passes on to the next generation.
Even so, dentition is rarely documented as rigorously as other health clearances. Breeders usually have to find a veterinarian to do an informal check, and there's no standard form, no shared terminology, and no permanent record. The notes end up inconsistent, paperwork gets lost, and dogs go into the ring (or into a breeding program) without a verified picture of their mouth.
The CCDR was founded by Sharlene Craig, a champion Standard Poodle breeder who inherited her lines from her mother, also a champion Standard Poodle breeder. After two generations of breeding and showing, Sharlene kept running into the same gap: breeders already manage a long list of breed-specific health clearances, but dental evaluation had no system behind it.
She created the registry to close that gap. Breeders get a simple, repeatable way to assess, evaluate, and log the dental health of their breeding stock, and veterinarians get a clear, standard format for recording what they find.
Who It's For
Breeders
Get a verified dental record for every dog in your program, documented before you show, before you breed, and before puppies go home. Follow dentition across litters and generations instead of relying on memory or scattered vet notes.
Owners and Buyers
Get clear, veterinarian-certified information about a dog's teeth and bite. When a breeder registers their dogs, you can see that dentition was examined and documented, not assumed.
Veterinarians
Use a standardized exam format with familiar Triadan tooth numbering. The form spells out exactly what to assess and record, so you don't have to guess what the breeder needs, and your signature certifies the findings.
How It Works
1. Schedule an exam. Book an appointment with a licensed veterinarian of your choice and bring the CCDR form, either online or printed.
2. The veterinarian records the findings. The vet examines the mouth and records each tooth, the bite, alignment, and tissue health. They then verify the dog's microchip and sign to certify the assessment.
3. Submit and pay. Submit the completed record online at caninedentalregistry.org, or mail the paper form with a check. The fee is $25 per certification.
4. Receive your certification. The CCDR reviews the submission, enters the results into the registry, and issues your dog's certification.
What the Exam Records
Tooth-by-tooth status Each tooth is marked Full, Missing, Persistent (a retained baby tooth), or Other. Teeth are identified by the modified Triadan numbering system, the standard in veterinary dentistry. That's 42 teeth for an adult dog and 28 for a puppy.
Bite classification Scissor, level, undershot, or overshot.
Alignment Whether there is any malocclusion, misaligned teeth, or an open or wry bite.
Tissue health Whether the gums and oral tissue are normal or inflamed.
Identity and consent Microchip verification, and the owner's decision on whether to publish the results.
Program Policies
Veterinary Examination
Every registry record must be completed and signed by a licensed veterinarian. Owners and breeders do not self-report findings.
Permanent Identification
Each dog should be permanently identified by microchip. The examining veterinarian verifies the chip at the exam so the results are tied to the right dog.
Puppy and Adult Exams
A dog can be registered on its deciduous (puppy) teeth, its permanent (adult) teeth, or both. Adult teeth replace puppy teeth as a dog matures, so a puppy exam documents the dog at that age, and an adult exam documents the permanent dentition the dog will carry into the ring and into a breeding program.
Owner Consent and Publication
Owners decide whether their dog's results are published. Published results make the registry more useful to every breeder, buyer, and veterinarian who relies on it.
What Certification Means
Certification confirms that a licensed veterinarian examined the dog's dentition using the CCDR standard and that the results are recorded in the registry. It documents findings. It does not guarantee a show result, and it does not replace judging or other breed-specific health clearances.
Fees
$25 per certification. Pay securely online at caninedentalregistry.org, or by check with a mailed paper form.
Ready to Register?
Start your dog's application online. If you'd rather work on paper, contact us for a printable form.
Questions?
Email: info@caninedentalregistry.org
Phone: (916) 559-3030
Mail: Certified Canine Dental Registry, 2351 Sunset Blvd, Ste 170-326, Rocklin, CA 95765