Find the right AKC department, program, or service for your question. You may also visit our AKC Telephone Directory.
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Customer Service & Registration
Customer Service
The AKC Customer Service department is your primary resource for questions about AKC programs, services, records, forms, publications, and registration-related matters. Whether you’re registering a dog for the first time, checking the status of an application, ordering AKC materials, or looking for information about events and programs, Customer Service can help or connect you with the appropriate department.
Phone: (919) 233-9767
Email: info@akc.org
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-8:00 ET
Registration
The AKC Registration Department helps dog owners, breeders, and fanciers establish and maintain official AKC records. As the nation’s largest purebred dog registry, AKC processes thousands of registrations each month and provides support for a wide range of registration-related services.
- Dog registration
- Litter registration
- Ownership transfers
- Registration certificates
- Foreign registrations
Whether you are registering a puppy, transferring ownership of an AKC-registered dog, replacing lost registration papers, or seeking guidance on registration policies, the Registration Department can help ensure your records are accurate and up to date.
Events & Competitions
Event Operations
Processes applications for AKC events and records official results for Conformation, Obedience, and other AKC competitions.
Supported Event Types
- Agility
- Conformation
- Coursing Ability Test
- Dock Diving
- Earthdog
- Field Trials
- Herding
- Lure Coursing
- Obedience
- Rally
- Scent Work
- Tracking
Sport Services
Provides personalized support to exhibitors, breeders, judges, club leaders, delegates, and event participants. The Sport Services team helps connect participants with the right AKC resources and departments.
AKC Registered Handlers
The AKC Registered Handlers Program establishes standards for responsible, knowledgeable professional handlers. Participants commit to continuing education and adherence to AKC guidelines and the program’s Code of Ethics.
Junior Showmanship
Supports youth participation in AKC events and encourages sportsmanship, responsibility, and education through the sport of dogs.
Clubs & Community
Club Relations
AKC recognizes a wide variety of clubs that support every aspect of the sport of dogs, including:
- Parent Clubs
- All-Breed Clubs
- Specialty Clubs
- Agility Clubs
- Rally Clubs
- Obedience Clubs
- Scent Work Clubs
- Tracking Clubs
- Herding Clubs
- Hunting Test Clubs
- Field Trial Clubs
- Earthdog Clubs
- Lure Coursing Clubs
- Coonhound Clubs
Club Education & AKC Booth Services
The Club Education Department manages the AKC Information & Education Booth Program, providing educational resources to dog owners, exhibitors, clubs, educators, legislators, and veterinary professionals across the country.
Training & Education
Canine Good Citizen®
The AKC Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) program promotes responsible dog ownership and recognizes dogs that demonstrate good manners and basic obedience skills. Dogs that pass the CGC test may earn an official AKC title and certificate.
Public Education
Public Education develops programs and resources that strengthen the bond between people and dogs while promoting responsible dog ownership.
Programs include:
- Canine Ambassador Program
- AKC Patch Program
- Educator Resources
Breeders & Compliance
DNA Operations
AKC DNA programs help protect the integrity of the AKC Registry through DNA profiling, parentage verification, compliance initiatives, and breeder programs. AKC maintains the world’s largest canine DNA database for identification and parentage verification.
Investigations & Inspections
AKC operates the only routine kennel inspection program among purebred dog registries in the United States. Inspectors work with breeders to verify records, evaluate kennel conditions, and support canine welfare.
Judging Education & Operations
Judges Education
Provides educational programs, seminars, and resources for current and prospective conformation judges.
Judging Operations
Manages judges and judging activities for:
- Conformation Events
- Performance Events
- Companion Events
- Coonhound Events
Advocacy & Outreach
Government Relations
The Government Relations Department works to protect the rights of dog owners, promote responsible dog ownership, and support reasonable, enforceable canine legislation.
Veterinary Outreach
The Veterinary Outreach program strengthens relationships between AKC and veterinary professionals, technicians, and students, while promoting education about purebred dogs and canine health.
Development
The Development Department supports fundraising efforts that advance canine health, responsible dog ownership, pet recovery, education, and other AKC-supported charitable initiatives.
Media & Publications
Public Relations & Communications
The Communications team works with print, broadcast, and digital media to provide information and expert guidance on dogs, responsible ownership, canine health, and AKC programs.
Publications
The AKC Publications department produces editorial content and educational resources that inform, educate, and engage dog owners, breeders, exhibitors, and fanciers. Publications cover breed information, canine health, training, events, responsible dog ownership, and developments across the AKC community.
Research & Archives
Library & Archives
The AKC Library & Archives contains one of the world’s largest canine research collections, including approximately 18,000 volumes, AKC historical records, photographs, periodicals, artwork, stud books, and rare collections documenting the history of purebred dogs and the sport.
AKC Departments
Information Technology
Provides technology services, maintains business systems, and protects the security and integrity of AKC digital assets and data.
Marketing
Builds the AKC brand and supports dog owners through websites, digital marketing, email, social media, AKC Marketplace, and AKC Shop.
Finance
Oversees accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, investments, audits, and regulatory compliance.
Human Resources
Supports AKC employees through recruitment, benefits administration, training, professional development, and employee relations.
Need Help?
If you’re unsure which department to contact, start with Customer Service at 919-233-9767 or info@akc.org, and an AKC representative can help direct your inquiry. You may also visit our AKC Telephone Directory.