What Is an AKC Litter Number?

For some new owners of purebred puppies, there may be an element of mystery surrounding the American Kennel Club and its "raison d'etre," or reason to be. Since 1884, the American Kennel Club has maintained a registry of purebred dog pedigrees representing more than 160 breeds in the United States. For a fee, the AKC records the eligible litters of AKC-registered dogs, giving unique registration numbers to each one. This way, you can track your dog's lineage. It's possible you'll find you're in a position to even brag a bit about the champions in your pup's ancestry.

  1. Obtaining the Litter Number

    • Breeders who wish to register a new litter of AKC-eligible puppies must complete an AKC litter application within six months of the date of birth. The sire or dam's owner must complete the animal's registration application, which must include the exact mating date. The sire and dam's AKC number and registered names must also be included, as well as the number of male and female puppies in the litter. After the form in processed and lineage is verified, the AKC will send the breeder a puppy kit with an individual application form for each puppy in the litter.

    Registering Your Puppy

    • When you purchase or adopt a purebred puppy that is eligible to be registered with the AKC, it means that your puppy's parents are registered as the same breed, as is the entire litter in which your pet was whelped or born. On the happy day you pick up your new baby, the breeder will provide you with an AKC registration application that includes the litter registration number, your pup's parents' names and the name the breeder gave to your pup -- which, of course, you can change. This application in and of itself is not your dog's pedigree; you must mail it to the AKC to register your dog individually.

    Understanding the Litter Number

    • When you receive your puppy's completed registration certificate from the AKC, you'll notice the first letter of the registration sequence designates the group your pup's breed belongs to. For example, if the number begins with "W," your dog belongs to AKC's Working Group, while "H" represents the Hound Group, and so on. The second letter runs in AKC's registration sequence as do the numbers. Finally, the last two digits of your dog's AKC registration number designates the puppy's birth order in the litter.

    Uses

    • Dogs must be registered with the AKC to participate in Specialty, Group or All-Breed shows. Furthermore, the AKC litter number may be used to find and order your dog's pedigree chart through a private service or online. Becoming a registered member of the American Kennel Club has privileges and benefits, such as breed-specific educational programs and the ability to keep historical records on your breed.