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DOG REGISTRATION

The AKC is not the only registry of purebred dogs, but it is the one with which most Americans are familiar. For a dog to be registered with the AKC, the dog's parents must be registered with the AKC as the same Breed , and the litter in which the dog is born must be registered with the AKC. Once these criteria are met, the dog can be registered as purebred by the AKC.

Registration indicates only that the dog is purely of one recognized breed; it does not necessarily indicate that the dog comes from healthy or show-quality blood lines. Nor is registration necessarily a reflection on the quality of the breeder or how the puppy was raised.

Registration is necessary only for breeders (so they can sell registered puppies) or for purebred Conformation Show or purebred Dog Sports participation.

More information on registry can be found at the official AKC website .


INDEFINITE LISTING PRIVILEGE PROGRAM


The Indefinite Listing Privilege Program (ILP) is an AKC program that provides purebred dogs who may not have been eligible for registration a chance to register "indefinitely". There are various reasons why a purebred dog might not be eligible for registration; for example, the dog may the product of an unregistered litter, or have unregistered parents. Many dogs enrolled in the ILP program were adopted from animal shelters or rescue groups, in which cases the status of the dog's parents is unknown. Dogs enrolled in ILP may participate in AKC companion and performance activities, but not conformation.


ACTIVITIES

The AKC sanctions events in which dogs and handlers can compete. These are divided into three areas:


RECOGNIZED BREEDS

As of October 2004 , the AKC recognizes only 157 of the hundreds of dog breeds known around the world, and another 51 rare breeds can be registered in its Foundation Stock Service .

The AKC divides dog breeds into seven ''groups'', one ''class'', and the Foundation Stock Service , consisting of the following as of October, 2004:







  • .


  • for the breed is ample, the breed is moved to one of the seven preceding classes.


  • Foundation Stock Service (FSS) program: 51 breeds {Link without Title} . This is a Breed Registry in which breeders of rare breeds can record the birth and parentage of a breed that they are trying to establish in the United States; these dogs provide the ''foundation stock'' from which eventually a fully recognized breed might result. These breeds cannot participate in AKC events until at least 150 individual dogs are registered; thereafter, competition in various events is then provisional.



OTHER AKC PROGRAMS

See Also: Canine Good Citizen



The AKC also offers the Canine Good Citizen program. This program tests dogs of any breed or type, registered or not, for basic behavior and temperament suitable for appearing in public and living at home.


SEE ALSO



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