There is a widely held belief that "AKC" or "AKC papers" guarantee the quality of a dog. This is not true!
AKC is a registry body. A registration certificate identifies the dog as the offspring of a known sire and dam, born
on a known date. It in no way indicates the quality or state of health of the dog. Do your homework and know what
to expect.
When you purchase an AKC-registrable dog, you should get an individual Dog Registration Application from the
seller that looks like this....
AKC is a registry body. A registration certificate identifies the dog as the offspring of a known sire and dam, born
on a known date. It in no way indicates the quality or state of health of the dog. Do your homework and know what
to expect.
When you purchase an AKC-registrable dog, you should get an individual Dog Registration Application from the
seller that looks like this....
| Front Back |
AKC has 3 types of registration papers. Be sure to ask the breeder what type of registration papers will be provided
for your new puppy.
Full Registration- you have full breeding rights and this dog may be shown in all AKC events.
Full registration certificates are white with a purple border.
Limited Registration- Can not be breed or shown in AKC conformation shows. He can still participate in sporting
events such as Obedience, agility and schutzhund. Sometimes breeders will sell on limited registration with a
contract that if you follow certain guidelines, they can lift the limited and change it to full. Be sure to get this in
writing. The word “LIMITED” will be boldly stated on the registration certificate which will have an orange border.
Conditional Registration- When unknown parentage is indicated via DNA testing, registration is “conditional” until
a three generation pedigree is established. “Unknown” will be noted on the registration or pedigree for the
ancestor in question. These dogs may not be shown in AKC shows but may participate in sporting events. They are
able to be breed but with certain restrictions. The word “Conditional” will be boldly stated on the registration
certificate which will have a yellow border.
for your new puppy.
Full Registration- you have full breeding rights and this dog may be shown in all AKC events.
Full registration certificates are white with a purple border.
Limited Registration- Can not be breed or shown in AKC conformation shows. He can still participate in sporting
events such as Obedience, agility and schutzhund. Sometimes breeders will sell on limited registration with a
contract that if you follow certain guidelines, they can lift the limited and change it to full. Be sure to get this in
writing. The word “LIMITED” will be boldly stated on the registration certificate which will have an orange border.
Conditional Registration- When unknown parentage is indicated via DNA testing, registration is “conditional” until
a three generation pedigree is established. “Unknown” will be noted on the registration or pedigree for the
ancestor in question. These dogs may not be shown in AKC shows but may participate in sporting events. They are
able to be breed but with certain restrictions. The word “Conditional” will be boldly stated on the registration
certificate which will have a yellow border.
Or a registration certificate that looks like this....
If registration application or certificate can not be provided at the time your new puppy is delivered you should have
a signed contract with the following information: (it is not uncommon for registration papers to not be in hand yet,
especially in regards to imports or puppies from imported parents and can take awhile.)
A time frame of when papers are expected
Breed
Sex and color and markings
Date of birth
Litter number (when available)
Names and numbers of sire and dam
Name of breeder
Date sold or delivered
Once you have your papers in hand, its up to you to transfer ownership into your name.
If an application is provided, make sure it is filled out and signed by the seller as well as you the buyer. You then
send it too AKC or submit the info on line. I always recommend to take a photo copy before sending it in, just in case
it gets lost in the mail. The cost for new Dog Registration is $20.00
If a certificate is provided, make sure the seller as well as you the buyer fill out and sign the back. You will then
need to send it to AKC and they will issue a new certificate listing you as the owner. I always recommend to take a
photo copy before sending it in, just in case it gets lost in the mail. The cost to transfer registration is $20.00
AKC Registered names- Technically, the AKC gives you the right to decide the registered name but I have it in my
sale contract that the pup shall be registered with my given name, or one I approve of, as well as my kennel name. If
you place a deposit before the litter is born, I allow my clients to help in choosing the name. Once my pups are born,
they will all be given a name and that is what must go on their registration papers.
I assign a letter of the alphabet to each litter. Each puppy from that litter must have a first name that starts with that
letter. Their last name is Von Hartwin which means "of or from the brave friend". So say you choose a puppy from
my Z litter. If you name her Zina, she will be AKC registerd as "Zina von Hartwin" her name translates to: "Zina from
the brave friend"
Of course the puppy's call name can be anything you like and may be totally unrelated to their registered name. It's
kind of fun when you come up with a call name that reflects the registered name in some way however.
a signed contract with the following information: (it is not uncommon for registration papers to not be in hand yet,
especially in regards to imports or puppies from imported parents and can take awhile.)
A time frame of when papers are expected
Breed
Sex and color and markings
Date of birth
Litter number (when available)
Names and numbers of sire and dam
Name of breeder
Date sold or delivered
Once you have your papers in hand, its up to you to transfer ownership into your name.
If an application is provided, make sure it is filled out and signed by the seller as well as you the buyer. You then
send it too AKC or submit the info on line. I always recommend to take a photo copy before sending it in, just in case
it gets lost in the mail. The cost for new Dog Registration is $20.00
If a certificate is provided, make sure the seller as well as you the buyer fill out and sign the back. You will then
need to send it to AKC and they will issue a new certificate listing you as the owner. I always recommend to take a
photo copy before sending it in, just in case it gets lost in the mail. The cost to transfer registration is $20.00
AKC Registered names- Technically, the AKC gives you the right to decide the registered name but I have it in my
sale contract that the pup shall be registered with my given name, or one I approve of, as well as my kennel name. If
you place a deposit before the litter is born, I allow my clients to help in choosing the name. Once my pups are born,
they will all be given a name and that is what must go on their registration papers.
I assign a letter of the alphabet to each litter. Each puppy from that litter must have a first name that starts with that
letter. Their last name is Von Hartwin which means "of or from the brave friend". So say you choose a puppy from
my Z litter. If you name her Zina, she will be AKC registerd as "Zina von Hartwin" her name translates to: "Zina from
the brave friend"
Of course the puppy's call name can be anything you like and may be totally unrelated to their registered name. It's
kind of fun when you come up with a call name that reflects the registered name in some way however.
| AKC papers and what to expect |