Join the World Dog Federation
Become part of an international framework devoted to responsible breeding, canine welfare, genetic protection, transparent registries, professional education and structured cooperation among national canine organisations.
The form is an initial request for collaboration and institutional assessment. Final status is granted only through formal approval and the applicable written instruments.
Partnership and Official WDF Membership serve different levels of cooperation
WDF offers two distinct institutional pathways. WDF Partnership is designed for reciprocal recognition, associative exchange, cultural and technical cooperation. Official WDF Membership is the higher level of integration: it places an approved national organisation inside the Federation’s structured international system and enables it to represent WDF within its recognised national territory under the applicable Statutes, regulations and membership agreement.
Reciprocal recognition and international cooperation
Partnership is the ideal route for legally established canine organisations that wish to create an official relationship with WDF without becoming the national representative of the Federation. It supports mutual recognition, institutional exchange, cultural cooperation and the development of common technical projects.
- Mutual recognition within the scope established by the written partnership agreement.
- Institutional and cultural exchange between canine organisations.
- Possibility to cooperate in events, technical initiatives, education and international projects.
- Access to a wider network of WDF members, partners and recognised organisations.
- Opportunity to become familiar with the WDF technical, ethical and organisational framework.
- A flexible and normally non-exclusive relationship, without national WDF representation.
Best suited for: organisations seeking reciprocal recognition, cooperation and international exchange while maintaining an independent institutional position.
Become the official WDF Member and national representative of the Federation
Official WDF Membership is designed for a national kennel club that wants to become an integral part of a worldwide canine system, represent the World Dog Federation in its country and operate through a modern international framework built on experience, technology, genetic traceability, professional support and coordinated development.
- Exclusive WDF national representation within the recognised territory and membership category, where granted by the applicable membership agreement.
- Possibility, after the required institutional path, to obtain full membership of indefinite duration, subject to continued compliance with WDF rules and the applicable agreement.
- Authorised representation of the World Dog Federation within the Member’s country according to the rights formally assigned by WDF.
- Use of the A.I.D.D. — Artificial Intelligence Dog Database as the national operational platform for canine registry and genealogical management.
- Issuance of official WDF genealogical certificates within the WDF system, eligible for recognition throughout the WDF network of Member Countries and cooperating Partners according to applicable reciprocal arrangements.
- Access to WDF breed standards, technical procedures and the international WDF framework for canine breeds and genetic selection.
- Direct institutional support from the WDF International Secretariat and leadership.
- Participation in a coordinated worldwide network supported by more than a decade of organisational, technical and international experience.
Strategic value: Official Membership is not simply a cooperation agreement. It is entry into the WDF international system as the recognised national organisation responsible for developing WDF activities, registries, technical standards and institutional projects in its territory.
A complete international system for national canine organisations that want to grow beyond conventional models
Becoming an Official WDF Member means joining a structured, professional and technologically advanced international federation. The Member does not remain a simple external collaborator: it becomes part of a coordinated global project supported by institutional experience, international relations, technical standards, digital infrastructure and direct organisational assistance.
Where granted by the applicable membership framework, the Member receives exclusive WDF representation for its recognised national territory and institutional category.
The cooperation can evolve into full membership of indefinite duration, creating continuity, stability and a long-term international identity for the national club.
The national organisation can operate through the WDF data ecosystem for breeders, dogs, pedigrees, DNA, litters, health, events, titles and statistical development.
The Member can manage national genealogical activities and issue WDF-system certificates under the applicable authorisations, controls and reciprocal-recognition arrangements.
Operational access to WDF breed standards and technical resources allows the Member to work within a unified international selection and breed-protection framework.
The Member becomes part of an international network of national clubs, continental structures and cooperating organisations with opportunities for events, recognition and technical exchange.
National organisations can rely on direct support from WDF leadership and the International Secretariat for institutional, technical and operational development.
WDF provides a complete international model for clubs wishing to develop outside traditional canine structures while maintaining professional rules, traceability, welfare and scientific selection.
Reciprocal-recognition Partnership or Official WDF Membership?
Both pathways create value, but they serve different objectives. Partnership establishes cooperation between independent organisations. Official WDF Membership creates a deeper institutional bond and integrates the approved national kennel club into the Federation’s international structure.
| Institutional area | WDF Partnership | Official WDF Membership |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Reciprocal recognition, associative exchange and international cooperation. | Full institutional integration into the WDF system and national development of Federation activities. |
| National representation | No automatic national representation of WDF. | Representation of WDF within the recognised national territory according to the rights formally granted by the Federation. |
| Territorial position | Normally non-exclusive. | May include exclusive WDF national representation within the recognised territory and membership category. |
| Institutional continuity | Duration and scope are determined by the partnership agreement. | May progress to full membership of indefinite duration, subject to WDF rules, continued compliance and the applicable agreement. |
| A.I.D.D. platform | Possible technical cooperation where specifically agreed. | Integration into the WDF A.I.D.D. ecosystem for national registry, genealogical, breeding, genetic, health, event and statistical management. |
| Genealogical certificates | Recognition operates within the terms of the reciprocal-recognition agreement. | WDF-system genealogical certification may be issued under the Member’s authorised national functions and recognised through the applicable WDF and reciprocal-recognition network. |
| Breed standards | Recognition and technical reference may be included in cooperation. | Operational implementation of WDF breed standards, technical procedures and international selection framework. |
| International support | Cooperation through the agreed partnership channels. | Direct institutional relationship with WDF leadership, International Secretariat, national Members and the wider Federation network. |
| Strategic development | Ideal for organisations that want cooperation while remaining external to the federal structure. | Ideal for national clubs seeking a complete alternative international system, long-term growth, technological integration and national WDF identity. |
The precise rights, territorial scope, duration, authorisations and obligations of each relationship are determined by WDF Statutes, regulations, formal decisions and the written agreement approved for the applicant.
Experience, technology, standards and international support
WDF brings together national organisations around a common objective: to build a modern canine system based on dog welfare, genetic responsibility, reliable registries, professional education, scientific selection and international cooperation.
Canine welfare
Health, behavioural balance and physical and psychological welfare remain central to breeding, events, training and registry activity.
Genetic protection
DNA profiles, genetic tests and health controls support informed selection, traceability and the prevention of hereditary disease.
Traceable registries
Structured national databases support verifiable pedigrees, breeder records, litters, ownership, identification and documentary continuity.
Institutional credibility
Common regulations, ethical principles and technical procedures strengthen consistency and professional reliability across the Federation.
Professional development
Education, technical exchange and international experience strengthen judges, breeders, registry officers and canine professionals.
International coordination
Members benefit from a structured relationship with other national clubs, continental sections, partners and the WDF International Secretariat.
A shared technological language for the WDF worldwide system
A.I.D.D. transforms the national registry into part of a coordinated international information network, supporting genealogical continuity, population analysis, genetic projects and long-term scientific development.
A.I.D.D. as a strategic advantage of Official WDF Membership
A.I.D.D. — Artificial Intelligence Dog Database — is the operational environment through which WDF Members can manage pedigree, identification, breeder, litter, health, genetic, event, title and statistical information through shared quality and security procedures.
For an Official Member, digital integration is not presented as a bureaucratic burden: it is a strategic tool that allows the national club to operate with a professional database, create traceable genealogical documentation, organise its national records and connect its work to the wider WDF international system.
The platform also supports the future development of comparative statistics, genetic selection programmes, population studies, documentary controls and international research projects.
- Professional national registry infrastructure without having to build an equivalent system from zero.
- Standardised and verifiable data exchange across WDF Member Countries.
- Genealogical continuity, breeder management, DNA, health and breeding records in one coordinated environment.
- Technical support, operator training and progressive national implementation.
- Structured data for statistics, genetic protection and scientific projects.
How to begin a Partnership or Official WDF Membership pathway
The first request allows WDF to understand the applicant’s legal, organisational and technical position and to identify the most appropriate institutional pathway. Organisations interested in Official Membership will then be able to discuss their national objectives directly with WDF leadership.
Select the institutional pathway
Indicate whether the organisation is seeking a WDF Partnership for reciprocal recognition or wishes to be evaluated for Official WDF Membership.
Download and complete the form
Complete every requested field with accurate information concerning the organisation, legal representative, registered office, website and official communication channels.
Sign the request
The application must be fully completed and signed by the authorised representative of the applicant organisation.
Send it by email
Email the signed form and supporting documents to president@wdf-international.org.
Institutional assessment
WDF reviews the organisation’s legal position, national role, experience, technical capacity, objectives and compatibility with the Federation’s development programme.
Direct video meeting with WDF leadership
Following the preliminary review, an appointment may be scheduled for a video meeting directly with WDF leadership to discuss every institutional, technical and operational aspect of the proposed relationship.
Request for collaboration with the World Dog Federation
Download the official request, complete it in full, sign it and send it by email together with the organisation’s institutional documentation. This is the first formal step towards a Partnership or an Official WDF Membership evaluation.
Recommended submission package
- Completed and signed WDF request form.
- Copy of the club’s or organisation’s legal registration document.
- Current statutes or institutional governing documents, where available.
- Official organisation logo in JPEG or PNG format.
- Contact details of the current legal representative or President.
- Website and official social-media addresses.
- Brief presentation of the organisation’s current national activities and future objectives.
Submission of the request starts the institutional evaluation process. Partnership, Official Membership, territorial exclusivity, use of WDF marks, database authorisations and representation rights become effective only after the applicable WDF approval and written agreement.
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Choosing the right relationship with WDF
What is the main difference between Partnership and Official WDF Membership?
Partnership creates reciprocal recognition and institutional cooperation between independent organisations. Official WDF Membership integrates an approved national kennel club into the Federation’s system and may include national representation, territorial exclusivity, A.I.D.D. integration, WDF-system registry functions and a long-term institutional role.
Can an Official WDF Member receive exclusive national representation?
Yes, where this is granted by the applicable WDF membership category and written agreement. The scope of exclusivity is defined by WDF rules, the recognised territory and the formal membership instrument.
Can Official Membership continue indefinitely?
Following the applicable admission and confirmation process, full membership may be established for an indefinite duration, subject to continued compliance with WDF Statutes, regulations, technical requirements and the applicable membership agreement.
What does A.I.D.D. provide to an Official Member?
A.I.D.D. provides an integrated environment for dogs, breeders, pedigrees, litters, ownership, identification, DNA, genetics, health, events, titles and statistics. It allows a national Member to operate through the same technological logic used across the WDF system.
Are WDF genealogical certificates recognised internationally?
Official WDF-system genealogical certificates operate within the WDF international network and may benefit from recognition among WDF Members and cooperating Partners according to the applicable membership, partnership and reciprocal-recognition arrangements.
What support does WDF provide after membership?
Official Members can work directly with the WDF International Secretariat and leadership on institutional development, technical procedures, A.I.D.D. integration, international relations, events, standards and long-term national planning.
What happens after I send the application?
After preliminary review, WDF may schedule a video meeting by appointment directly with Federation leadership. The meeting is used to examine the applicant’s situation in detail and develop a personalised institutional plan suited to the organisation and its country.
Is the information on this page itself a contract?
No. This page is an institutional and explanatory presentation. The legally applicable relationship is defined by WDF Statutes, regulations, official decisions and the written agreement approved and signed for the applicant.