AKC Registration Standards

The American Kennel Club is the most prestigious dog breed registry in the United States. Dogs that are AKC-registered have their lineage documented so that specific bloodlines can be carried on through selective breeding.

  1. Who Can Be Registered?

    • Puppies born to AKC-registered parents and whose litter has been registered with the AKC can be registered as an individual dog with the registry. In order to register an eligible puppy, you must obtain an Individual Dog Registration Application from the breeder.

    Required Information

    • When registering an AKC dog, the following information must be included on the application: sex, markings, registration type, date of sale (transfer of ownership from breeder to owner), name(s) and address(es) of new owner(s), and the signatures of the litter owners.

    Fees

    • The application must be mailed to the AKC along with the registration fee. The amount of the fee will depend on the type of registration the new owner wishes to obtain. An individual puppy registration only costs $20, while waiting until the dog has reached one year of age increases this fee to $55.

    Paperwork Process

    • The AKC will send official registration paperwork back to the registered owner. This paperwork should be kept in a safe place, as it will be required if the dog is ever sold or bred.

    AKC Online Registration

    • You may also register your dog online. This can be accomplished by visiting the online registration tool provided by the AKC on the official AKC website. New owners can complete the application, pay fees and order pedigrees.