Frequently Asked Questions

Upon the first successful registration or transfer of a canine with Continental Kennel Club, Inc. (CKC), the registration applicant becomes a member, subject to the terms of this agreement, which may be updated from time to time.

A member number is associated with you and your contact information; it’s typically seven digits in length. A dog’s unique CKC number starts with a breed code (Example: PD for Poodle, TLM for Goldendoodle) and is a series of eight numbers beginning with 0. (Ex: PD-0xxxxxxx).

CKC will not release canine registration numbers by phone to anyone, including the owner on file. A member may request their member or account number by phone or email. Before release, the member must verify account details (address, phone number, canine CKC number, etc.).

A member with kennel status will receive a special discounted rate. Kennel rates are $8.00/dog for a registration certificate. Please visit our Member Service Fee Schedule for further explanation of kennel status benefits.

Please see the differences between a kennel account and an individual account under FAQs>Membership for more explanation.

A member is anyone who has registered at least one dog with Continental Kennel Club, Inc.

Active breeding dogs are those used in a breeding program (i.e., intact dogs intended for breeding purposes, not spayed or neutered pets, or retired breeding dogs). This applies to individual and kennel status accounts.

• A member with individual status is someone who has fewer than eight (8) active dogs registered and used for breeding.

• A member with kennel status is someone who has eight (8) or more active dogs registered within a year.
  
  • To qualify for kennel discounts (which apply to all registrations except PAW), a member must initially register eight (8) breeding dogs within a calendar year. The standard registration fees apply when registering dogs individually before reaching kennel status. 
  • A customer's account is converted from individual to kennel status after successfully registering the eighth (8th) dog within one calendar year.

You must submit your request in writing. Please email us at [email protected] from the address on file; include your previous and current addresses. If you cannot access or do not have an email, you must submit a Change of Address Form by fax or mail.

All registration documents and correspondence are sent to the member account email/physical address of record. Every member is responsible for ensuring that the email and mailing addresses are up to date. 

A breed standard is a set of guidelines regarding phenotypical (external) observable traits. Each breed standard details the appearance, movement, and temperament that distinguishes one breed from another. For more information on CKC’s breed standards, check out these videos.

• CKC writes and maintains its own unique set of breed standards based on existing standards from registries and breed organizations worldwide. It also includes written histories of each breed from its country of origin. 

• CKC's standards are unique to the organization and are written in a manner that allows dog breeders more genetic diversity to select for healthy conformation, movement, and reproduction. Extreme characteristics, deleterious breed types, or adherence to overly stringent conformation standards are discouraged. This may result in significant differences between CKC's breed standards and other predominantly show organizations.

• CKC's breed standards outline the ideal type or types (such as size, coat, or color varieties) for each recognized breed. For example, for a dog to be "of proper breed type," they must conform to the written breed standard's description of each breed to an acceptable degree.

Animal associations and registration organizations may define purebred membership for members of a breed of animals using pedigree records, written standards, DNA tests, or some combination of these. For the most part, ‘purebred’ members of a recognized breed must exhibit consistent form and function as the other members of the designated breed. As an all-breed registry for dogs, Continental Kennel Club maintains standards for purebred membership for each recognized breed, for which it keeps pedigree records and issues certificates of registration. When registering a dog of a recognized breed, CKC may use any one of, or a combination of, the following criteria in determining the purebred status of an applicant dog: 

• The applicant is from parents who have been registered and classified as purebred by CKC or another recognized canine registry. 
  
  
• The applicant dog links back ancestrally to foundation animals that were original progenitors, or foundation stock, of the breed.
  
  
• The applicant dog’s listed breed has a written and published breed standard that is maintained and recognized by at least one major breed registry or kennel club.
  
  
• The applicant dog is capable of breeding true, meaning it produces offspring in its likeness that conform to the written breed standard. 
  
  
• For some developmental breeds, a sufficient level of breed purity based on CKC's internal pedigree calculations is required.

The foundational purpose of any registry or kennel club is to provide a service – identification – to its members and their canines. Puppy buyers and dog breeders are interested in having an official document confirming their dog’s ownership and primary details. An example of an equivalent document is a child’s birth certificate or a car title.

Our critics often assume that all CKC-registered dogs attain purebred status, which is not the case. All official registration documents for mixed ancestry or popular hybrid/designer dogs indicate their NON-PUREBRED status. Continental Kennel Club stands out in the industry by providing reciprocal services to hybrid or mixed breed and purebred dogs. We act as a nucleus for the management of ownership, progeny, and genealogical records. Further, we share a bi-partisan responsibility with our members to ensure that we produce accurate registration documents.

“CKC accepts registration applications for processing and issues registration certificates based on the accuracy of the information submitted by the registration applicant(s) and member(s). CKC accepts no liability for any inaccurate, false, or fraudulent information submitted on the registration application but will correct such information if it is determined to be in error by CKC”

Recognized Breeds

CKC generally recognizes all long-established purebreds worldwide, including very rare breeds, landrace breeds, and breeds developed within the past 20 years that meet CKC's breed requirements.

Unrecognized Breeds

Please call 1-800-952-3376 or email us [email protected] to create a breed recognition request.

All breed standards CKC maintains include the established standard colors that serve as characteristics of the breed. However, CKC recognizes that some breeds can produce atypical or non-standard coat colors. To maintain a substantial, genetically diverse breeding population, CKC incorporates a list of non-standard colors that are sometimes found in purebred dogs.

Please view your canine’s breed standard for acceptable colors. Search for the breed and then click on the blue “More Info” plus sign to the right to find the entire standard.

Size is genetic, and a breeder can only estimate how large or small a dog will grow to be. It is not uncommon for offspring produced from two toy, miniature, or standard varieties to be larger or smaller than either one or both parents. The genetic presence of larger or smaller dogs is often further back in the lineage than just the sire or dam. If your CKC registered dog’s size variety is incorrectly classified, you can update it by submitting a completed measurement chart and surrendering your current CKC registration certificate. The reissue fee is $10.00, payable by credit or debit card, check, or money order.

The decision to breed your dog is multifaceted and should be made only after considering all impacts. The canine must be physically and genetically sound, free from defects, diseases, and disorders. The potential dog must meet the breed standard. The traits and characteristics they exhibit should qualify them as an ideal specimen. To increase the perceived value of your puppies, you might consider training the parents in a performance event for the breed’s form and function or compete in conformation shows. Studies and personal experience prove that the parents’ traits and abilities indicate the offspring’s potential. Breeding stock should be temperamentally sound. You should not breed an overly shy or aggressive dog because those tendencies impact a litter of pups’ genetics and environmental learning. You should consult your veterinarian before breeding to ensure your dog is sound. They are trained experts and can impart a wealth of valuable information. Always ask questions! Overall, the decision to breed requires a commitment of finances, time, and personal education.

To register a litter with CKC, both the sire and dam must be at least six months old at the time of breeding. CKC will not register litters produced ahead of this minimum age. Opposite that, the maximum breeding age is 12 years old for dams and 13 years for sires. Breeding beyond these maximums requires annual veterinary documentation prior to the registration of any litters. As for any health concerns involving breeding, you should always consult your veterinarian.

CKC does not recognize limited registration or restriction on breeding rights determined by other registry organizations. 

Our goal has always been to support healthy, diverse gene pools within breeds rather than removing canines from the gene pool for questionable reasons, such as conformity to show standards or to eliminate competition from other breeders. 

CKC heard our members' requests to make limited registration more widely available. Members of our Preferred Breeder Program (PBP) have streamlined access and pay no additional fees for the service. Members who are not part of the Preferred Breeder Program can submit the Puppy Registration application, pay the registration fee, and register individual puppies to themselves (the breeder) as ‘limited’ before they go to the new owner. A written request for limited registration must accompany the application. The new owner must complete a transfer of ownership using the official certificate of registration according to the rules. Check out this video on limited registration.

The practice of intentional inbreeding and linebreeding is detrimental to the broader canine industry. Proponents of the approach maintain that breeding closely related dogs is the best way to preserve the breed’s overall characteristics and desired traits for the purpose of maintaining breed type for conformation showing.

As a registry, CKC desires to perpetuate the balance between a breed’s benchmarks and crucial genetic diversity while simultaneously reducing negative impacts, including reduced litter size and fertility, lack of disease resistance, and the frequency of offspring born with predispositions to hereditary illnesses. CKC strongly discourages the practice of inbreeding and linebreeding and may refuse registration of any litters that are found to be inbred or linebred.

“CKC reserves the right to refuse registration of litters that meet any of the following criteria: . . .Closely inbred litters – litters between full siblings or parent-offspring pairs”

• Because CKC recognizes various breed types within some breeds (and some of which are permitted to interbreed to preserve genetic diversity), changes to the breed variety or breed  designation may be permitted on a case-by-case basis in the following circumstances, such as:

• The dog is a different size variety than what is listed on the registration information.

• The dog is a different color variety than what is listed on the registration information.

• The dog has a different coat type than what is listed on the registration information.

• To request a change in variety, the dog owner should complete a Measurement Chart (with witness signatures), a written request to change the variety, all current CKC registration documents, and appropriate reissue fees.

• To request a change in breed, the dog owner should complete a new CKC PAW application with required photographs, measurements, witnesses, and a written request to change the breed, including the reason. They should also include the dog's original registration certificate and send all information to CKC, along with supporting photographs, documentation, and proper fees.

• In addition, CKC may, at its sole discretion, change the breed or breed variety of a dog found to be registered incorrectly. This may also directly affect the dog's parents, full siblings, and offspring. 

• Dogs of eligible breed varieties or breed types may have their breed designation updated only once in their lifetime. Further requests to change the dog’s designation, type, or variety will not be honored.
  

CKC reserves the right to refuse registration of litters that meet any of the following criteria:

• Homozygous merle litters (double merle litters, or litters where both parents are a variation of merle, including but not limited to cryptic or hidden merle, dapple, harlequin, etc.)

• Closely inbred litters - litters between full siblings or parent-offspring pairs.

• Full siblings come from the same parent dogs, regardless of a shared birthdate.

• Puppies or dogs advertised as “CKC,” “CKC-registered,” or “CKC-registerable” must be sold or transferred using an official CKC Canine Registration Certificate, Supplemental Transfer Form, if necessary, or with a CKC Puppy Registration Application.
  
  
• Owners of advertised CKC litters, puppies, or dogs must advertise all CKC-registered litters, puppies, or dogs as the breed is listed on the dog(s)/documentation, including  CKC certificates of registration, pedigrees, and Pre-Printed Puppy Application.
  
  • For example, Miniature Poodles should not be advertised as “Toy Poodles,” and Australian Cattle Dogs should not be advertised as “Mini Heelers” if the breed listed on the registration states otherwise.  
    

Choosing responsible puppy owners requires some pre-planning on your part. Buyers should invest ahead of the planned breeding and place deposits on the puppies. You should create a puppy contract that holds the buyer responsible for veterinary care, spaying/neutering, basic obedience training, etc. You should screen potential buyers carefully to ensure their lifestyle fits the breed. You might consider the temperament of each puppy to help buyers find the right companion. Do not be afraid to turn a prospective owner away if you have concerns. Advertising your puppies online may attract interested buyers.

The best thing you can do for your buyers is provide a properly socialized puppy that has been introduced to basic training. You can utilize many CKC resources and products like the Puppy Starter Kit. They include a short version of our Puppies 101 book, a helpful in-house publication with tips and tricks to help new puppy owners with the most common puppy issues.

Most importantly, you can ensure that puppy buyers understand the importance of registering their puppy into their name to gain immediate access to CKC’s supportive resources, such as our free 6-week puppy training video series that covers housetraining, bite-inhibition, coming when called, loose leash walking, and training to help navigate the puppy’s first year of life.

You are also responsible for providing a correct, original, signed Puppy Registration Application at the time of sale. The buyer must submit that application to transfer ownership from you to them as soon as possible. The registration creates a permanent record for them. They’ll also gain access to a 30-day trial of pet insurance from MetLife and unique registration services from us.

A solid puppy contract should include a health guarantee, requirements for ownership (spay/neuter, obedience training, etc.), stipulations for registration, and an explanation of breeding rights. The seller should also include steps for rehoming if required. Any changes and agreements should be made in writing and signed by all involved parties. We strongly urge you to complete the sale (obtain the money and provide the correct, signed original paperwork) before the puppy goes home and ensure that puppies are registered with the new owners without delay.

Every CKC breeder has a return rate that fluctuates, reflecting the number of Puppy Registration Applications you request versus those submitted for registration by your puppy buyers. Many breeders are surprised to find that although their customers insist upon buying a registered puppy, the customers never return the paperwork to follow through with the registration. Why does this matter? To continue offering free or well-priced, accessible service, we rely on our member breeders to act as advocates of CKC and help to ensure that the new puppy owners understand the benefit of registration and submit their registration applications to solidify each puppy’s place in the ancestral records. By doing so, new puppy owners gain access to CKC’s valuable puppy owner support services, such as the Ages and Stages training videos and other helpful resources for the life of their companion. We are excited about plans to provide incentives to our breeders based on their return rates, thanks in part to their advocacy of CKC puppy registration. Want to know your return rate? Call us at 1.800.952.3376 or email us today at [email protected].

We recommend that you locate a local breeder and consider some things, such as seeing the parent dogs, proof of veterinary care, and up-to-date vaccinations. If the puppy or litter is advertised as CKC-registered, you should also verify the registration and ensure you receive an original, signed Puppy Registration Application. Some breeders may supply a health guarantee or contract. Be sure that you read and understand the entirety of the document and the language contained in said agreements. You may consider asking for references from previous puppy buyers. The breeder/seller must provide a correct, signed, original Puppy Registration Application when you pick up the puppy. You should not take your CKC-registered puppy home without the paperwork in hand. We strongly recommend that your new puppy be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible to safeguard your puppy’s health and protect your consumer rights.

Puppy Registration Applications do not expire, and we do not charge any late fees. To get the most out of your membership privileges, you should register your puppy as soon as possible. You can register online or submit the completed application by mail, fax, or email. 

In cases of questionable parentage of any CKC-registered canine or applicant for registration, Continental Kennel Club will recognize and consider the results of DNA testing to determine the parentage of any canine(s) in question. The DNA testing shall be conducted at a CKC-recognized DNA-testing facility, in accordance with current CKC testing procedures, at the expense of the party or parties contesting or challenging the parentage. All owners and breeders of CKC-registered canine(s) or litter(s) involved agree to submit their canine(s) for DNA testing at CKC’s request and agree to abide by the results of said tests.

DNA testing is NOT a standard requirement for litter registration. However, CKC reserves the right to investigate any member to ensure compliance with CKC registration rules, guidelines, policies, and procedures.

At this time, using breed DNA to identify purebred dogs is still not an exact science, and all testing organizations advise against the use of breed DNA to identify purebred dogs. Due to the different algorithms used to calculate breed purity and differences in markers measured amongst the different testing facilities, a complete picture of a dog breed’s entire breed genetic pool is not possible. The chance of falsely identifying purebred dogs as mixed-breed is still a possibility. For this reason, breed DNA is only considered under special circumstances and is generally not considered when discrediting a purebred dog as a mixed breed. However, breed DNA results that indicate a high percentage of breed purity may be taken into consideration in determining a dog’s breed purity in some breeds.

For a more detailed explanation, please visit our Breed DNA Testing page.

• As a private canine recordkeeping corporation, CKC does not release confidential information about club members or their registered dogs to parties other than the club member listed as the owner(s) of the canine.
  
  
• A member's information may only be released to another member when we are authorized to do so by the record owner, either by signed consent or a properly served subpoena.
  
  

• Other requests for canine records not listed in the published Member Service Fee Schedule may be available upon request and are subject to additional research and service fees.