AKC PAPERS AND IDENTIFICATION: WHAT PUPPY BUYERS NEED TO KNOW
- WHAT REGISTRATION MEANS
The American Kennel Club is a registry body, responsible for tracking the lineage of dogs of a variety of breeds.
- WHAT TO EXPECT
When you buy a dog represented as “AKC-registrable,” you will receive an AKC Dog Registration Application, properly filled out by the seller. When you complete your portion and submit it with the proper fee, the AKC will process the application and you will receive an AKC Registration Certificate.
- NO EXCUSES
Be wary of excuses such as “AKC hasn’t sent the papers yet.” The standard processing time of any AKC registration item is generally only a few days. If a breeder is doing his paperwork in a timely manner, there is no reason the AKC Dog Registration Application form should not be available. If this document is not available at the time of delivery, wait until the breeder receives it before you pay for and take home your puppy. Once you have completed the transaction, there is often no recourse for an unsatisfied buyer.
- NO AKC PAPERS… NO DOG
If you expect the dog you are buying to be AKC-registrable, you should realize it is your responsibility to obtain the AKC Dog Registration Application from the breeder at the time you pick up the dog, otherwise, you should not buy the dog.
- AKC SEAL
Make sure your registration application and papers have the official AKC seal. Many other registries have alarmingly similar names, initials and logos.
- ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE NOT EQUAL
AKC does not accept registrations from most other domestic registries, so don’t assume that you can transfer your dog’s registration to AKC after buying the dog. Without AKC registration for your dog, he/she is unable to compete in AKC events, or whelp puppies that would be AKC-registrable.
The terms “papers” and “AKC-registrable/AKC-registered” are not interchangeable. Buyers must look for AKC registration, the only registry that offers the services, events and commitment to purebred dogs that the buyers – and certainly the dogs – deserve.
More information is available at www.akc.org. Consumers should direct questions and concerns about AKC registration to AKC Customer Service at 919-233-9767, or e-mail registration@akc.org