Most everyone has heard of the AKC, aka the American Kennel Club, aka *the* registry for dogs. But do you really know what the AKC is? Do you know the benefits of your registration or getting your dog registered? And did you know that there are multiple kennel clubs and registries?
What is the AKC and what does “AKC registered” mean?
The AKC stands for the American Kennel Club and is self-described as “the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for all dogs.” Simply put, it’s a registry of purebred dogs that also organizes and promotes events for purebred dogs. It’s one of the oldest and largest purebred registries and is often thought of as the most prestigious or esteemed.
Registering your dog with the AKC means that your dog has been approved and recorded in the kennel club’s registry, and is a tool to contribute to and track your dog’s pedigree. With the AKC, a dog must have AKC registered parents of the same breed to be eligible for registration. They do make exceptions for specific circumstances and some foreign registries if your dog’s “purebred” pedigree can be proven.
The AKC offers two types of purebred registration (“papers”), as well as options for mixed-breed or ineligible purebred dogs
- AKC Registration: Full or Limited- Full registration has no restrictions. Limited registration still registers the dog, but prevents any future litters of that dog to be registered with the AKC.
- AKC Canine Partners: This is a program for mixed-breeds and breeds not registerable with the AKC. Your dog will still receive many of the same benefits, can compete in many AKC events, and can even earn AKC titles.
- AKC Purebred Alternative Listing or PAL: This is a program for purebred dogs that are not AKC registered, but are of a registerable breed. Your dog will receive many of the same benefits, and will have the chance to compete in many AKC events.
What other dog registries are there?
There are many other dog registries out there, but I’m going to include the most common I come across.
- The CKC or Canadian Kennel Club: This is similar to the AKC and actually assisted in founding it. It’s a purebred dog registry based in Canada.
- The KC or Kennel Club: This is also similar to the AKC as a purebred dog registry. It’s the world’s oldest registry and is based in the United Kingdom.
- The UKC or the United Kennel Club. This is the second largest registry in the world and is based in the United States. The UKC is less strict than the AKC, and includes international breeds on its registry. It’s different from the AKC in that it is NOT a non-profit organization.
- The “other” CKC or the Continental Kennel Club: This is one I wanted to include because I’ve seen it often and think it’s a misleading. It’s a registry and yes it tracks pedigree. However, it allows mix-breed dogs and is not very strict. It’s a go to for breeders of “designer breeds” and puppy mills. It’s easy to get just about any dog registered, so it’s a way for people to advertise “registered puppies!” without having anything reputable behind it. This isn’t to that there aren’t wonderful or purebred dogs registered with them…it can just be a red flag.
Is it bad to get a dog without papers?
NO it is not bad if you get an unregistered dog. NO you don’t necessarily have any less of a dog if it doesn’t have papers. First off, registration is only 100% necessary if you plan to participate in kennel club events and shows. There is nothing else a registered dog can do that an unregistered one can’t. Second, registration doesn’t guarantee a quality dog.
It is very possible for you to get a perfectly healthy, even purebred dog without papers. It’s possible for people to health test the parents, research pedigree genetics, and do everything any other breeder would do to produce wonderful and healthy puppies without registration. It’s just that if that’s the case, there has to be a legitimate and understandable reason. You have to ask yourself why their dogs are ineligible for registration.
This follows the same idea of “a square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square”. If you’re getting a purebred dog and you’re being sold on it being of high quality due to pedigree or champion blood, it will be registered. This tier or type of dog comes from serious reputable breeders that have registered and proven pedigrees and the only way to get accomplished titles like this is with a well-documented registered bloodline.
Even if you don’t need a champion-sired puppy and are just looking for the best pet you can get, registration is a good sign of a reputable breeder. Breeders of pet-dogs put just as much work into their dogs and bloodlines, and want to record their work with a reputable database. Offering registered puppies adds value for buyers and also records the breeder’s legacy through generations of blood, sweat, and tears.
HOWEVER… Just because a puppy is registered does not guarantee you’re getting a quality puppy. Registration requires registered parents, money, and a submission. That’s it. So just because someone has AKC (or equivalent) registered puppies, it doesn’t automatically mean they took care of the pups how they should. This doesn’t guarantee any sort of health testing, and it doesn’t guarantee that they don’t have 15 other dogs in their backyard that they’re breeding over and over to churn out puppies.
With all that being said, I suggest that if you’re out looking for a purebred puppy, you make sure it comes with registration and from a reputable and well-known registry. In the United States, I would say it’s already kind of a red flag if the registration isn’t with the AKC, but keep in mind there could be a valid explanation for this. Also, if you’re indifferent on it being purebred or not, registration may be here nor there. I do suggest that if you’re interested in puppies without registration, make sure you really get to know the breeder and make sure they’re taking care of their dogs.
Be an informed buyer and don’t support anyone breeding dogs poorly or for the wrong reasons… purebred or not.