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Open Registration

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 and/or pedigree from the domestic registry.
  • The dog must be registered in the same owner(s) name that appears on the certificate and/or pedigree from the domestic registry.
  • The information on the application must agree with the information on the domestic registry certificate and/or pedigree.

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 listed on the application or register online at akc.org/openreg.

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):

Other Breeds Eligible for Open Registration (updated 10/08/24)

  • American English Coonhounds (until 7/01/30)
    The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.
  • American Eskimo Dog (until 9/1/28)
    The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United 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 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 AmericaIf 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 – ending date open)
    The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.
  • Boerboel (until 1/01/30)
    The AKC will accept dogs registered with the American Boerboel Club.  If dog is born outside of USA owner must fill out foreign application
  • 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 ServicesIf 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 (1/01/25 – ending date open)
    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.