When a new breed is accepted in the American Kennel Club a specialty type of registration known as Open Registration, is available for a limited time. The American Kennel Club in conjunction with the Parent Club (also known as a national breed club) sets this time frame for the breed.
Eligibility for Open Registration
- In order to be registered under Open Registration, a dog must be born in the United States, or one of it's possessions or territories. Otherwise, it will have to be submitted with a Foreign Dog Registration Application.
- The owner must be a resident of the United States, or one of it's possessions or territories.
- The dog must be of a breed eligible for registration in the AKC Stud Book.
- The dog must first be registered with a domestic registry acceptable to the AKC (see below).
- The dog must be registered with the same name that appears on the certificate from the domestic registry.
- The dog must be registered in the same owner(s) name that appears on the certificate from the domestic registry. A co-owner can be added by a transfer after the dog is AKC registered by simply filling out the back of the certificate and sending to AKC with a transfer fee.
- The information on the application must agree with the information on the domestic registry certificate and/or pedigree.
Individual dogs that are previously registered with one of the following registry organizations (see Special Registry Services for more info on these registries):
- American Border Collie Association
- American International Border Collie Association
- Field Dog Stud Book (All AKC registrable sporting breeds - other than Irish Setters)
- International Foxhunters' Stud Book
- Masters of Foxhounds Association
- National Beagle Club of America
- National Greyhound Association
- North American Sheep Dog Society
- North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (AKC registrable Sporting Breeds - other than Irish Setters)
- Society for the Perpetuation of the Desert Bred Saluki
- Beauceron (until 2/28/10) - The AKC will accept dogs registered with the American Beauceron Club.
- Swedish Vallhund (until 2/28/10) - The AKC will accept dogs registered with the Swedish Vallhund Club of America.
- Plott (until 8/31/09) - The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.
- Tibetan Mastiff (until 8/31/09) - The AKC will accept dogs registered with the American Tibetan Mastiff Association.
- Anatolian Shepherds (effective 6/1/04 - ending date open) - The AKC will accept dogs registered with the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America.
How to apply for Open Registration
If your dog meets the requirements listed above and you wish to apply for Open Registration, please send us a completed Open Registration Application and all of the required attachments.
