It’s one thing to say you have a purebred, but it’s quite another to be able to prove it with paperwork. However, getting all that paperwork in order takes a little work, and the steps required vary depending on whether your dog is registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC, the largest registry in the U.S.), the United Kennel Club (UKC, the second-largest registry), or another registry. Your breeder has to do some paperwork too, and should give you the registration application form when you bring home your new puppy—don’t leave the breeder without it. Once you’ve both done your part, your pup’s blue-bloodedness will be official.
Registration has other benefits besides the brag factor. When you register your purebred pup, the AKC offers a framed AKC registration certificate, a complimentary trial pet healthcare plan, and a certificate for a free first vet visit. You also get a New Puppy Handbook and gift certificates, and your dog will be eligible to participate in AKC-sponsored events like dog shows, agility, rally, tracking, and field trials.UKC-registered dogs are eligible to participate in UKC-sponsored events like dog shows, agility, or the UKC Hunting Programs, and for a little extra, you can get a complete three-generation pedigree that lists every ancestor’s color, number of offspring, and titles—perfect for framing for proud display above your dog’s bed or food bowl.
Who Can Be Registered?
Any purebred dog whose parents are both registered with the AKC or UKC can also be registered by that organization. If you don’t plan to breed your dog and the breeder sells you the puppy as a pet only, your registration might be called limited, which means you are not supposed to breed your pet, and if you do, the puppies can’t be registered. Dogs with limited registration can participate in purebred dog performance and companion events, but can’t participate in dog shows (since the purpose of a dog show is to evaluate breeding stock).
What to Do
You can register your dog with the AKC by filling out and sending in the form the breeder gives you, or do it online at https://www.akc.org/dogreg/. The breeder must fill out the dog’s sex, color and markings, registration type (full or limited), the date ownership was transferred to you, and the names and addresses of all owners and co-owners of the dog. You must fill out the dog’s new name, sign the form, and include payment. Registration costs about $20, plus the cost of extra options like written pedigrees.
If you are buying your dog from someone who is not the breeder, you will also need to include a Supplemental Transfer Statement, which the previous owner should provide. Or, you can download this form at http://www.akc.org/pdfs/supptran.pdf. You should receive your dog’s AKC Registration Certificate in about three weeks.
The process for registering a dog with the UKC is similar. For the most up-to-date instructions on registering your dog with the UKC, go to their website: http://www.ukcdogs.com/Registration.htm. For other registries, check with the individual organizations.
