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):
- 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 1/1/25)
- 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 - 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 – 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 - Bracco Italiano (until 7/01/26)
The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association. - 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 1/01/31)
- The AKC will accept dogs registered with the American Sloughi Association.
- Treeing Walker Coonhounds (until 1/01/30)
The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.