[Ash]

The only papers worth their salt are those from reputable registries (ie, the American Kennel Club, Canadian Kennel Club, United Kennel Club). Registration provides the new owner with proof of the dog's lineage and allows the dog to compete in kennel club-sanctioned shows. It doesn't say anything about the quality of the dog, whether he'll make a good pet, or even if he'll be healthy (I've known plenty of AKC dogs that had crippling genetic disease. Just look at what American breeders have done to the German shepherd.). Dog shows were used to evaluate breeding stock, and registrations evolved so that breeding stock could be tracked. It has now become standard that folks expect "papers" with their dogs, so registries like APR, DRA, Universal Kennel Club, etc evolved so that folks who didn't have registered dogs could offer their puppy buyers registration papers. Unfortunately, puppy mills also use these sham (and sometimes even AKC) papers to sell their puppies on the merits of being "registered". If you don't plan on showing or breeding your pet, trusting your breeder and buying from someone who stands behind their pups is what counts.

~Ash