Open Registration

When a new breed is accepted in the American Kennel Club a special 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 AKC registration.
• 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.
• The information on the application must agree with the information on the domestic registry certificate and/or pedigree.

Acceptable Domestic Registries

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 and Irish Red & White Setters) –  AKC will no longer accept registration papers issued after July 1, 2022
• International Foxhunters’ Stud Book
• Masters of Foxhounds Association
• National Beagle Club of America
• National Greyhound Association
• North American Sheepdog Society
• North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (All AKC registrable Sporting Breeds — other than Irish Setters and Irish Red & White Setters)
• Society for the Perpetuation of the Desert Bred Saluki

Other Breeds Eligible for Open Registration (updated 1/24/23)

• American English Coonhounds (until 7/01/30)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.
• American Hairless Terrier (until 1/01/26)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club.  If dog is born outside of USA owner must fill out foreign application.
• Anatolian Shepherds (effective 6/1/04 — ending date open)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America.
• Azawakh (until 1/1/24)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the American Azawakh Association
• Barbet (until 1/1/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club.
• Biewer Terrier (until 1/1/26)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the Biewer Terrier Registry of America.  If dog is born outside of USA owner must fill out foreign application.
• Black & Tan Coonhounds (until 7/01/33)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and they must be Purple Ribbon Dogs.
• Bluetick Coonhound (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.
• Boerboel (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the American Boerboel Club.
• Boykin Spaniel (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Boykin Spaniel Society.
• Bracco Italiano (until 7/01/26)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.
• Chinook (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club.
• Dogo Argentino (until 1/1/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club.
• Miniature American Shepherd (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs submitted from the Stock Dog Registry Services.  If dog is born outside of USA owner must fill out foreign application
• Mudi (until 1/01/27)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club.
• Plotts (effective 10/20/09 — ending date open)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.
• Redbone Coonhound (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.
• Sloughi (until 1/01/26)
• The AKC will accept dogs registered with the American Sloughi Association.
• Spanish Water Dog (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the Spanish Water Dog Club and United Kennel Club.
• Treeing Walker Coonhounds (until 1/01/30)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.

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.