What's in a Registry
In the dog world there are many registries available. Some are good some are not. Even in a good registry it will take some study and education on a buyers part to learn about the breed they are interested in. Just because a dog is of a certain registry doesn't mean that dog was bred with the same intentions that a true fancier of the breed would breed for. It is best to get to know your breeder, ask them questions, pictures, and even better visit them.
AKC: American Kennel Club- This is one of the most recognized and one of the most strict registries. Dog's with this registry are meant to be bred to the standard that has been made by the breeds club. The standard is a guide for what the perfect dog in that breed would look like. Reputable Breeders in the USA use the AKC registry, it can also be used by others that are not very reputable as well. It is best to get to know your breeder and the dogs breed before you buy. You wll want a breeder that is very knowledgeable of the breed they are raising. The dogs in this registry are purebred dogs that have been bred for many many generations and have a set breed type.
Full AKC Registration: Are actually breeding and showing rights. If a dog is sold with Full registration then they should be very close to the breeds standard. These dogs are often intended for showing and breeding. Breeders often charge higher prices for full rights and have contract stipulations on how the dog is to be bred or shown and often remain as co-owners of the dog. These dogs are eligible to compete in AKC conformations shows like what you see on TV, Westminster, and Crufts are two of them.
Limited AKC Registration: This again is an AKC registration but the breeder has not given showing or breeding rights to the owner of the dog. This is used for pet quality dogs that are not meant to be used for breeding or show. Most puppies are sold under this registration as it is very rare to have 1 or more show or breeding quality pups in a litter. Most breeders are holding papers with a contract stating that the puppy must be spayed or Neutered then proof of the procedure is sent to the breeder in return for the limited registration papers. A dog sold under limited registration is still eligible for many AKC events like agility, obedience, and rally. However they are not eligble to compete in Conformations show like what you see on TV, Westminster and Crufts.
CKC: Canadian Kennel Club- This is the most recognized and strict registry of Canadian pure bred dogs. They are the Canadian eqivalent to the AKC in the USA.
CKC: Contential Kennel Club- This registry is not a very good registry as they are very lax in their registry rules. This registry is often used by puppy mills or people that bought dogs under a limited AKC registry (No breeding rights) bred and the puppies would not be eligible for AKC registration so they register them CKC. The registry also allows registration of mutts, mixed breeds, and designer dogs. A designer dog like a labradoodle, puggle, shorkie or a yorkiepoo is nothing but a mixed bred dog and if bred it will most likely not look like its parents. To develop another breed takes many many generations of dedicated breeding by people who know what they are doing and breeding for a certain attribute that they can't find in any other breed. Not a recommended registry.
UKC: United Kennel Club- This is another american registry that does have some good back bone to it. It is often used for field and sporting dogs, but some other breeds are finding their way into the registry as well. They do have conformation shows, I have never been to one though. As with the AKC and (Canadian )CKC, the dogs are only as good as the breeder behind them.
APRI, NKC, ACA are not recommended registries.
FCI is a foreign registry of purebred dogs, each country has their own registry. Hungary is MEOE. Dogs of a registry that is recognized by the AKC can be registered with the AKC. Always check with the AKC to make sure the registry you are looking at is accepted before buying your dog.
