How to Search an AKC Registered Dog DN Number

Each dog registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) is given a registration number. It consists of a letter series known as the DN and a series of numbers. The first letter of the DN indicates the group to which the dog belongs, such as "R" for Terrier Group. The second letter is added to allow more available registration numbers. The DN is followed by a series of numbers that are assigned to each litter when it is registered. The DN was formerly referred to as the DL before registrations outnumbered the available combinations. All registration numbers for dogs registered since 2004 are cataloged and may be searched for information such as reports on certified pedigree.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog registration papers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Log in to the AKC website's homepage. It is linked in the Resources section. If you do not have an account with AKC, follow the "create an account" link at the right side of the homepage.

    • 2

      Click the "Store" link at the top of the homepage.

    • 3

      Choose the "AKC Reports" link in the middle column of the page.

    • 4

      Choose the type of report you need. Available reports include a "Certified Pedigree," which shows the selected dog's ancestry, as well as "Progeny," which lists the selected dog's offspring. After choosing, information about the chosen report will come onto the screen while a pop-up window appears.

    • 5

      Enter the dog's full registration number, including DN, in the pop-up window's "Registration No.:" area. One or more dogs will appear, allowing you to choose the one for which you search.