Registration may have little to do with the quality of the dog.
Reputable canine registries such as the American Kennel Club sanction shows and working events and develop breed standards in conjunction with breed clubs, judges and enthusiasts. They maintain health and genetic databases of registered dogs, fund health research and canine welfare legislation and work with purebreed rescue groups to find homes for dogs. Registries such as the Continental Kennel Club do none of these things except charge a fee for registration certificates for almost any puppy or dog.
Misconceptions
The U.S.-based CKC should not be confused with the Canadian Kennel Club, which is Canada's counterpart to the AKC. Although both organizations share the same acronym, they are very different. The Continental Kennel Club does not register dogs in Canada.
History
The AKC was formed in 1894 by a small group of "dedicated sportsmen" and dog enthusiasts. They began holding hunting dog field trials and dog shows. In subsequent decades, working events have expanded to include earthdog, agility, obedience, herding, lure coursing and tracking in addition to field trials. The AKC Canine Health Foundation funds health research for public universities and independent researchers, and their Humane Fund helps a variety of dog welfare causes.
The CKC was formed in 1991 and since then "has offered the dog world a choice in canine registration services." They sanction a few events a year, such as agility, weight-pulling and and Halloween costume contests. The CKC has discount programs for breeders and publishes a quarterly magazine for its subscribers. They do not fund any research.
Registration
To register a dog with the AKC, both sire and dam must be AKC registered. It maintains a DNA database of many of its registered dogs in case there is a dispute about ownership or the integrity of breeding dogs. The breeder has the option of requiring a "limited registration" for purebred offspring that deviate from the breed standard. Dogs with a limited AKC registration may compete in any working event, such as obedience or agility, but they are ineligible for the show ring and their offspring can't be AKC registered. Dogs from unknown parentage can be given an Indefinite Listing Privilege registration if the dog is assumed to be a purebred, the owner submits three photographs of the dog and a veterinarian's statement that it has been spayed or neutered. The ILP registration allows the dog to compete in AKC working events. AKC introduced the Purebred Alternative Listing, or PAL. This is similar to the ILP, but for mixed-breed dogs.
The CKC "accepts registration applications and issues certificates based on the honor and integrity of the owner/breeder applicants...and accepts no responsibility for any inaccurate, false, or fraudulent information submitted on registration applications." If you send in the registration form and money, they will issue a registration certificate for your dog.
Benefits
The AKC registration carries benefits, even for dog owners who have no intention of breeding or showing their dog in the conformation ring. AKC-registered dogs can enter thousands of sanctioned events around the country every year and are eligible to compete at an international level.
CKC registered dogs are eligible for a handful of CKC-sanctioned events every year. Those who join their Preferred Breeders program get benefits including microchips for their litters and preferential placement of advertising on the CKC website and publications.
Warning
Whether breeders register their dogs with AKC or CKC, it's still "buyer beware" when it comes to purchasing a puppy. The AKC warns that merely being AKC-registered does not mean the dog is free of faults or flaws. All it means is that both parents were registered. If buying a puppy from a breeder who claims to have an AKC litter registration, get the AKC paperwork before purchasing the puppy. If there is no paperwork, obtain identifying information such as the numbers of both sire and dam and the litter registration number so the AKC can identify your puppy later.
It doesn't matter whether you get paperwork or other identifying information from a CKC breeder, because it will accept the registration form and fee on the honor system.
Related posts
Purebred dogs are held to strict standards by the AKC.You've just bought your new purebred puppy from a breeder and it's time to register him with the American Kennel Club, also known as the AKC....
What Is Limited AKC Registration?Not all puppies are meant to be show dogs or bred. If a breeder sells a puppy solely as a pet, and that puppy is of an American Kennel Club (AKC)-recognized breed,...
The AKC has strict requirements for registering dogs.Some people who own purebred dogs like to register them with the American Kennel Club (AKC). A registration certificate identifies the animal a...
The USDA plays a big role in agriculture.There are multiple ways to register with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). How you register depends on your business. For example, if your company...
The American Purebred Registry (APR) has been in existence since 1979. Its stated purpose is to "provide permanent pedigree record keeping services and certificates of registration with our o...
