Help Us Help You

In 2009, more than 100,000 puppies from AKC-registered litters born to owners active within the fancy were not registered. This represents a huge lost opportunity for the American Kennel Club to communicate the benefits of registration, available services and programs and participation in AKC events.  

As you know, registration dollars do not go solely toward the printing of pedigrees and certificates; they also help the AKC fund important educational programs, support the research of health issues through donations, and subsidize AKC events. Our registration numbers also help us to maintain legislative influence and ensure that like-minded organizations continue to support the AKC through alternative revenue programs and sponsorships.

If the current trend continues AKC may face a drastic change to the face of one of our core activities, AKC dog shows and events. We cannot rely solely on raising the event service fees to make up for any shortfall. It may also become more and more difficult for clubs to host events and remain economically viable.

We rely on our loyal breeders — those on the "front lines" of purebred dogs — to communicate the benefits and importance of AKC registration to puppy buyers.

We've found, however, that AKC's core customers — the fanciers — average a "return rate" (the percent of AKC registrable dogs actually registered) of just 50%. In the new year, we ask all of our breeders to make a concerted effort to register every puppy in every litter you breed. We've instituted several easy ways for breeders to ensure that the dogs they breed become AKC registered, including:

1. Full Litter Process: Allows breeders to individually register all the puppies in the litter at the time of litter registration for a discounted price.
2. Full Litter Offspring: Gives breeders who have already registered their litters with the AKC a second opportunity to individually register all the puppies in the litter at a discount, even though the breeder originally selected the traditional litter registration.
3. Registration at the time of sale:
1. Breeders ask their puppy buyers to fill out the registration application and pay the $20.00 registration fee when they pick up their puppy (or simply include the $20 fee in the price of the puppy). The breeder then submits the registration and fee to the AKC.
2. Breeders go online with their new puppy buyer at the time of puppy pick-up and help them complete the registration.
3. As a last resort, breeders give the signed application to the new puppy buyers at time of pick-up and follow up with them on the importance of registering their dog.
4. Unregistered Dog Program: Add the individual puppy information and new owner information in the AKC's Online Record Keeping System. The new owners will be contacted via AKC's automated unregistered dog program and reminded to register their dog.