Information on Kennel Registries

There are many kennel registries out there. Some are reputable, others are not and even try to imitate reputable kennel registries by using the same acronym. It is important that when choosing a kennel, litter, or dog that you understand who the different kennel registries are.

What are the hallmarks of a reputable registry?

The purpose of a reputable kennel registry is to:

• protect rights of the dogs,
• promote ethical breeding practices,
• promote responsible dog ownership, &
• engage in activities that uphold and maintain purebred breed standards.

Reputable registries do not:

• register mixed breeds as if they were a purebred dog. While some reputable kennel registries have programs that include spayed/neutered dogs, this is different than actually registering that dog for breeding.
• recognize "newly created hyrbids" just for the sake of recognizing them. By doing so, these kennel registries promote breeding practices performed solely for the sake of making money, not to benefit a breed standard.
• have detailed and complete breed standards that not only include what is acceptable within a breed, but what is not.
• endorse political candidates, religions, chruches, or pet marketplaces.
• have a single person or family as its sole form of management. Reputable kennel registries are governed by a firm set of by-laws and managed by a formal organizational structure that may include presidents, secretaries, CEOs, and board of directors that are choosen by the members of the kennel registry.

Who are the reputable kennel registries?

• AKC (American Kennel Club)
• CKC (Canadian Kennel Club)
• FCI (Federation of Cynologique International) and all of its corresponding kennel clubs around the world
• KC (The Kennel Club)
• UKC (United Kennel Club)
• NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association)

Which registries use the same acronyms as reputable kennel registries?

• The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) is not to be confused with the Contiential Kennel Club or the Canine Kennel Club.
• The Federation of Cynologique International (FCI) is not to be confused with the FIC that is the Federation of International Canines.
• The United Kennel Club (UKC) is not to be confused with the Universal Kennel Club or the UKCI that is the United Kennel Club International.

What is the difference between a kennel registry and a hunt/trial club?

Like a kennel registry, a hunt club or trial club holds tests designed to measure a gun dog's abilities allowing breeders to selectively breed better dogs. Unlike a kennel registry, these clubs do not register kennels or litters. Dogs that participate in club tests must be registered with a reputable kennel registry.