What Is Limited AKC Registration?

Not all puppies are meant to be show dogs or bred. If a breeder sells a puppy solely as a pet, and that puppy is of an American Kennel Club (AKC)-recognized breed, the breeder may choose to limit the pup's AKC registration.

  1. Significance

    • According to the AKC, limited registration helps breeders protect their breeding programs by discouraging the future breeding of "pet-quality" puppies. Should a dog with limited registration produce a litter, the AKC won't register any of the offspring.

    Show Eligibility

    • Dogs with limited registration cannot enter conformation shows, which are meant to judge breeding stock, the AKC says. They may compete in other AKC events, including obedience, tracking and agility.

    Method

    • To place a puppy under limited registration, the litter owner marks the "limited registration" box on the registration application before giving the paper to the puppy buyer.

    Identification

    • Limited-registration certificates are white, but with an orange border instead of the purple one that indicates full AKC registration.

    Reversal

    • The AKC says that only the litter owner can reverse a limited registration. Once the AKC processes the appropriate paperwork, the registry issues a full-registration certificate to the dog's owner.

    Related Fact

    • According to former "AKC Gazette" managing editor Arliss Paddock, breeders usually put a clause in their sales contracts requiring the spay or neuter of a limited-registration pup.