QUESTION: What records does the AKC require for our breeding operation and how
long must I keep those records?
ANSWER: You do need to keep written records for ALL REGISTRATIONS OR TRANSFER
APPLICATIONS which have been made to assure the accuracy of such applications.
RECORDS THAT ARE KEPT ON A COMPUTER MUST ALSO BE KEPT ON A SEPARATE PRINTED COPY (HARD COPY) OF ALL REQUIRED RECORDS, apart from the computer or storage disks.
All required records MUST BE MADE & PRINTED IMMEDIATELY when a dog is ACQUIRED, DELIVERED, AND AT THE TIME OF MATING, WHELPING, OR DEATH. Records must be kept on forms devoted to that exclusive purpose and must be consecutive, accurate, up-to-date and MAINTAINED FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS AFTER THE DOG HAS DIED, HAS BEEN SOLD, OR HAS BEEN GIVEN AWAY.
A. YOUR RECORDS On Each Dog should include: The Breed, Registered name &
number or litter number, sex, color & markings, date of birth, names & numbers of sire &
dam, name of breeder, name & address of person from whom directly acquired, date of
acquisition, & the date & duration of lease, if any.
1. WHEN THE DOG IS SOLD,GIVEN AWAY, OR DIES: Name & address of person to whom
directly sold or delivered, date sold or delivered or date of death, & the type of papers &
date supplied.
2. In addition, the OWNER (or lessee, if dog is leased at that time) shall keep the following
BREEDING RECORDS:
A. WHENEVER THE DOG IS MATED TO ANOTHER DOG: Date & place of mating, names of persons handling mating, registered name & number of dog to which mated, & the
name & address of its owner.
B. AND (IF A FEMALE) WHEN RESULTING LITTER IS WHELPED: Date of whelping,
number of puppies whelped by sex & by color & markings, litter registration number,
date of sales, gift or death of each puppy so described, name & address of person
acquiring each puppy so described, kinds of papers & date supplied, registered name
& number of each puppy registered by breeder.
B. RECORDS to be kept by PERSONS or FIRMS WHO SELL OR GIVE AWAY DOGS BRED BY OTHERS, including DEALERS, PET SHOPS & PERSONS ACTING AS AGENTS or BROKERS or SELLING ON CONSIGNMENTS:
1. For Each UNREGISTERED DOG: Breed, sex & color & markings, date of birth, litter number
(when available), names & numbers of sire & dam, & name of breeder.
2. For Each REGISTERED DOG: Breed, registered name, & registration number.
3. And for ALL DOGS: Name & address of person from whom THE DOG WAS directly
acquired, date of acquisition, name & address of person to whom directly sold or given,
date sold, or delivered, or date of death, & kinds of papers provided & date supplied.
C. IDENTIFYING DOGS AT TIME OF DELIVERY. If properly completed AKC REGISTRATION PAPERS ARE NOT SUPPLIED WITH THE DOG WHEN IT IS SHIPPED OR DELIVERED TO SOMEONE ELSE, the person delivering or shipping the dog must furnish the person acquiring the dog with A BILL OF SALE or other signed document giving all of the identifying information listed below.
A PROMISE OF LATER IDENTIFICATION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
1. For a Dog Not Yet Individually Registered: Breed, sex & color & markings, date of
birth, litter number (when available), names & numbers of sire & dam, name of breeder, &
date sold or delivered.
2. For a Registered Dog: Breed, registered name, registration number, & date sold or
delivered.
**This identifying information must be supplied with the dog even though AKC papers are not
yet available, and even to a person who takes the dog only for resale as an agent or on
consignment, and the same information must be passed on by him when he disposes of it.
(The only exception to this requirement is when there is a written agreement made between
the parties when the dog is delivered specifying that registration papers are never to be given.)
D. INSPECTION. The rules provide that The American Kennel Club or its duly authorized
representative shall have the RIGHT TO INSPECT THE RECORDS REQUIRED TO BE KEPT & THE PRACTICES REQUIRED TO BE FOLLOWED BY THESE REGULATIONS, & TO EXAMINE ANY DOG REGISTERED OR TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB.
The American Kennel Club will also refuse registration to any dog where conditions of the dogs
and/or kennels do not meet the minimum standard, as set forth by The American Kennel Club.
The American Kennel Club will also report these conditions to the appropriate governmental
or humane agencies.
E. PENALTIES. The rules provide that The American Kennel Club may refuse to register any
dog or litter or to record the transfer of any dog, for the sole reason that the application is not
supported by the records required by these regulations.
THE RULES ALSO PROVIDE THAT THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB MAY SUSPEND ANY OR ALL PRIVILEGES OF ANY PERSON WHO FAILS TO OBSERVE THE ABOVE REGULATIONS.
