The Kennel Club registers over 250,000 pedigree dogs every year of over 200 different breeds of dog. These breeds are categorised in seven groups: hounds, gundogs, terriers, utility, working, pastoral and toys.

You may not be aware but the Kennel Club doesn’t just register pedigree dogs though – we’ve been registering crossbreeds and older dogs for over 50 years.

Registering your dog with the Kennel Club is simple – you just have to pick which register is right for you and your dog.

Dogs can be registered on one of three Kennel Club registers – the Breed Register, the Activity Register and the Companion Dog Register. The fee you pay to register your litter/puppy/dog in your name helps the Kennel Club to pursue its work to promote, in everyway, the general improvement of dogs.

BREED REGISTER

The Breed Register is only available to those breeds which are currently recognised by the Kennel Club and provided both parents are of the same breed and already registered. Both the sire and dam should already have been transferred in to the registered ownership of the owner of the dog. Some litters can now be registered online or alternatively you can download the Litter Registration Form (form 1) from the Kennel Club’s website. If completing the paper application, the owner of the stud dog will also need to sign the registration form. In addition, application forms are always available from the Kennel Club direct, along with any advice you may need.

It is best if you register your puppies as soon as possible to make sure that the relevant documents are available for the new owner at the time of sale.

The benefit to new owners of purchasing a KC registered pedigree dog is that they know they should display the characteristics of the breed, in both looks and temperament.

What to expect from a breeder:

• If the dog is advertised as Kennel Club registered, you should make sure that you see the Kennel Club registration certificate for the puppy before you take the puppy home. If the registration certificate is not available when you take your puppy, ensure that you receive an undertaking in writing that this will be sent to you when received from the Kennel Club.
• It is the responsibility of the breeder to register the litter, which will be recorded in their name. The breeder will name all the puppies, and the names may include his/her Kennel Name.
• Under normal circumstances, the litter registration should take approximately 14 days. The certificates will then be returned to the breeder. If there is a query on the form or about the names chosen for the puppies, the Kennel Club Registration Department will contact the breeder to clarify the position.
• The breeder should hand you a blue Kennel Club Breeder Certificate, which includes all the puppy's details that are registered with the Kennel Club. Please make sure that the breeder has signed the transfer of ownership form on the back of the certificate and completed the date of sale field.
•  Also ask the breeder for information on the following:
• • A Contract of Sale, which should detail both the breeders and your responsibility to the puppy. It should also advise about any official Kennel Club endorsements (these could be restrictions against breeding or exporting the puppy) that the breeder may have placed on the puppy’s records, and under what basis the breeder is prepared to remove them. Before or at the time of sale, the new owner must give a signed acknowledgement of any endorsement placed.

What to do when you get your Kennel Club  registered puppy home:

• Transfer the ownership of the dog into your own name (you will find this section on the reverse of the registration certificate), ensuring that all parties have signed the relevant sections. Make sure you activate the Kennel Club Healthcare Plan six weeks free insurance offer at this time. You can do this by ticking the box in Section C on the form, by calling 0800 369 9091 or alternatively you can visit www.kennelclub-petinsurance.co.uk.
•  You will have an opportunity to order additional Kennel Club services on the transfer form, including pedigrees, the Breed Records Supplement, Petlog Premium and much more. Discounted enhanced pedigrees can be ordered at the same time that you apply to transfer the dog into your registered ownership.
• After you have sent the transfer of ownership form back to the Kennel Club, you will receive a Kennel Club Owner Certificate with your details and those of your puppy printed on it. At this point you will also receive a copy of the Kennel Club Puppy Handbook – an essential guide to caring for your puppy. The Puppy Handbook wil give you advice and information to help you get off to the best possible start with your puppy.

ACTIVITY REGISTER
Your dog does not have to be a pedigree, or pure bred dog to be registered on the Activity Register. If your dog is not eligible to be registered on the Breed Register, and you wish to compete with your dog in KC licensed events such as Obedience, Agility, Flyball or Heelwork to Music competitions, then this is the register for your dog. The owner of a dog themselves can apply for registration on this register. To register your dog on the Activity Register simply download a form from our website at www.kcdogregistration.org.uk or call 0844 463 3980 for an application form.

THE COMPANION DOG REGISTER

The Companion Dog Club is open to any dog – purebred or crossbreed puppy or older dog, or a rescue dog and is a great way to become part of the dog world and celebrate the company of dogs with others. When you join the Companion Dog Club you will receive a membership pack with a range of goodies for you and your dog. Twice yearly newsletters, packed with news, competitions, special offers, a gallery of your canine pals and much more is also available. As well as this there are opportunities for members to participate in exclusive Companion Dog Club classes at Companion Dog Shows taking place throughout the UK, not to mention our grand finale at Discover Dogs each year. You can join at www.companiondogclub.org.uk or call for an application form on 0844 463 3980.

Companion Dog Register

If your dog is registered with the Kennel Club, you will gain access to an unparalleled source of information, experience and advice on dog welfare, health, training and breeding. Registering your dog with the Kennel Club also means that it can take part in many shows and events throughout the country. From fun days out to serious competitions, these activities are an opportunity to meet other owners, learn more about dogs, and simply have a great time.

Last updated – February 2008

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