Continental Kennel Club's Registration Policies

​A. Terminology and Commonly Used Phrases

1. For more information on terms and phrases used throughout this document, please see CKC’s Glossary and Commonly Used Phrases (coming soon).

B. Bi-Partisan Responsibility

1. As a record-keeping organization, it is of the utmost importance to ensure that we produce accurate registration documents.
2. “CKC accepts registration applications for processing and issues registration certificates based on the accuracy of the information submitted by the registration applicant(s) and member(s). CKC accepts no liability for any inaccurate, false, or fraudulent information submitted on the registration application, but will correct such information if determined to be in error by CKC” (Rule IV.A.5.).
3. Members must review all documents for correctness upon receipt.
4. Errors in processing on the part of CKC which deviate from the information supplied are our responsibility and will be correct and/or reissued at no charge to the member. This includes incorrect or missing information which delays delivery (apartment or box numbers), incorrect canine identifying information (name, sex, or color), etc.

C. CKC Forms and Documents

1. All CKC forms are copyrighted and protected by law and are for CKC member use only or those applying for membership. CKC forms may not be issued by non-members.
2. CKC accepts only the latest versions forms which are available at CKC’s website at ckcusa.com/forms, email (ckc@ckcusa.com), or by phone.
3. Anyone registering a puppy from a litter advertised or represented as CKC-registered, or CKC-registerable litter must do so using the official, signed CKC Pre-Printed Puppy Registration Application supplied by the breeder.
4. Anyone registering a dog from a CKC-approved registry or kennel club must do so using the latest canine registration application (ckcusa.com/forms).
5. Picture & Witness (PAW) Program applications are not to be used for the transfer of a dog or puppy from one owner to another. The PAW program is an evaluation program for adult purebred dogs that the person ordering, considered the owner, uses to apply for registration of the dog into their own name. PAW evaluation applications are not to be provided to another person at the time of sale, or during the sale or transfer of a puppy. Puppies are not eligible to participate in the PAW Program. For more information, see the Picture & Witness Program Policies & Procedures. ​
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1. Purebred Definition and Qualifications

1. Animal associations and registration organizations may define purebred membership for members of a breed of animals using pedigree records, written standards, DNA tests, or some combination of these. For the most part ‘purebred’ members of a recognized breed must exhibit consistent form and function as the other members of the designated breed. As an all-breed registry for dogs, Continental Kennel Club maintains standards for purebred membership for each recognized breed for which it keeps pedigree records and issues certificates of registration. When registering a dog of a recognized breed, CKC may use any one of, or a combination of, the following criteria in determining the purebred status of an applicant dog: 
2. The applicant is from parents which have been registered and classified as purebred by CKC, or another recognized canine registry for dogs. 
3. The applicant dog links back ancestrally to foundation animals that were original progenitors, or foundation stock, of the breed.
4. The applicant dog’s listed breed has a written and published breed standard that is maintained and recognized by at least one major breed registry, or kennel club.
5. The applicant dog is of ‘proper breed type’, meaning that it can pass a Photo Enhancement Analysis (PEA) or Picture and Witness (PAW) evaluation indicating it predominantly conforms to the written breed standard.
6. The applicant dog Is capable of breeding true, meaning the dog produces offspring in its likeness, which conforms to the written breed standard. 
7. For some developmental breeds, a sufficient level of breed purity based on CKC's internal pedigree calculations are required. 
8. At this time, using DNA to identify purebred dogs is still not an exact science, and all testing organizations advise against the use of breed DNA to identify purebred dogs. Due to the different algorithms used to calculate breed purity, and differences in markers measured amongst the different testing facilities, a complete picture of a dog breed's entire breed genetic pool is not possible. The chance of falsely identifying purebred dogs as mixed-breed is still a possibility. For this reason, breed DNA is only considered under special circumstances and is generally not considered when discrediting a purebred as a mixed breed. However, breed DNA results that indicate a high percentage of breed purity may be taken into consideration in determining a dog's breed purity in some breeds.
9. Non-Purebred dogs are those that are the offspring of parents that are from two different breeds. CKC considers offspring of 2 different purebreeds (i.e. one parent is Pekingese, the second parent a Poodle), to be a non-purebreed. These are also known as mixed breeds, designer breeds, hybrids, or miscellaneous crosses. 
10. CKC distinguishes all non-purebred from purebred dogs on registration documents, which denote whether a dog is "Purebred," or "Non-Purebred."

2. Breeds

1. CKC determines at its discretion which breeds are eligible for purebred registration.
2. CKC accepts some breeds as developmental breeds which are set to attain purebred status based on percentage of foundation ancestors, PAW registration services, or other requirements that may be set by CKC.
3. PAW registration services are not available for every CKC-recognized breed. A list of accepted breeds for PAW registration can be found at: ckcusa.com/paweligiblebreeds/.
4. For example, certain dogs breeds, such as Seppala Siberian Sleddogs, American Mastiffs, and North American Indian Dogs are not eligible for Picture and Witness Registration services because by definition applicant dogs of these breeds must trace their ancestry directly back to foundation animals of the breed. 
5. For each recognized breed, CKC has a dedicated breed page that includes general information on the breed, including size, color, history, as well as the breeds written standard. Requirements and restrictions for registration can also be found on this page. Each recognized breed can be found by going to ckcusa.com/breeds and selecting the breed that you are looking for from the dropdown menu.

3. Recognized Breeds

1. CKC generally recognizes all long-established purebreds throughout the world, including very rare breeds, landrace breeds, as well as breeds developed within the past 20 years which meet breed requirements as set forth by CKC. 
2. If a breed cannot be located in the Breeds section of the official CKC website, check the Other Names field. The breed may be recognized by a different English name or its foreign name. 
3. For breeds that are not currently recognized, a request to recognize the breed can be submitted via CKC's Customer Service Department with attention to Breed Research if the breed meets the following requirements:
   • Is a well-established breed or landrace breed in its country of origin. 
   • Has been well-established for 20 years or more
   • Is recognized by a reputable recognizing organization or club
   • Has a written breed standard or breed description
   • Has a network of dedicated breeders supporting the development and improvement of the breed.
4. It is the responsibility of the interested party(ies) to submit the required documentation for CKC’s review.

4. Unrecognized Breeds

1. CKC does not recognize mixed-bred, designer, or hybrid dogs as purebred dogs. These dogs remain in a Miscellaneous database and will always be designated as NON-PUREBRED
2. For those working to improve existing breeds, or further develop an established newer breed, CKC requires this be done through the CKC Breed Development Program to establish goals and guidelines for the project. 

5. Breed Standards

1. CKC writes and maintains its own unique set of breed standards based on other existing standards from registries and breed organizations throughout the world; as well as written histories of each breed from its country of origin. 
2. CKC's standards are unique to the organization and are written in a manner that allows dog breeders more genetic diversity to select for healthy conformation, movement, and reproduction. Extreme characteristics, deleterious breed types, or adherence to overly stringent conformation standards are discouraged. This may result in significant differences between CKC's breed standards and those of other predominantly show organizations.

6. Breed Type

1. CKC's breed standards outline the ideal type, or types (such as size, coat, or color varieties), for each recognized breed. For example, For a dog to be "of proper breed type," they must conform to the written breed standard's description of each breed to an acceptable degree.
2. CKC can assess breed type under two programs; the Picture and Witness (PAW) Program, and the Photo Enhancement Analysis (PEA) Program. The PAW program is for purebred dogs applying for registration with CKC. The PEA program is used in internal investigations when a question is brought up about a dog's breed type or purity. 
3. For more information on the PAW program, please visit ckcusa.com/paw/.

7. Changing a Breed or Breed Variety

1. Because CKC recognizes various breed types within some breeds, (and some of which are permitted to interbreed to preserve genetic diversity), changes to the breed variety or breed  designation may be permitted on a case-by-case basis in the following circumstances; such as:
   • The dog is a different size variety than what is listed on the registration information.
   • The dog is a different color variety than what is listed on the registration information.
   • The dog is a different coat type than what is listed on the registration information.
2. To request a change in variety, the dog owner should complete a Measurement Chart (with witness signatures), a written request to change the variety, all current CKC registration documents, and appropriate reissue fees.
3. To request a change in breed, the dog owner should complete a new CKC PAW application, complete with required photographs, measurements, and witnesses, along with a written request to change the breed, including the reason. They should also include the dog's original certificate of registration and send all information to CKC, along with supporting photographs, documentation, and proper fees.
4. In addition, CKC may, at its sole discretion, change the breed or breed variety of a dog found to be registered incorrectly. This may also directly affect parents, full siblings, and offspring of the dog. 
5. Dogs of eligible breed varieties or breed types may have their breed designation updated only once in the dog’s lifetime. Further requests to change the dog’s designation, type, or variety will not be honored.

A. General Responsibilities

1. Kennel v. Individual Status

1. A member is anyone who has registered at least one dog with Continental Kennel Club, Inc.
2. A member with individual status is someone who has fewer than eight (8) active dogs registered and used for breeding. 
3. A member with kennel status is someone who has (8) or more active dogs registered within a year. To qualify for kennel discounts (applies to all registrations, except PAW), a member must initially register eight (8) breeding dogs within a calendar year. When registering dogs individually, the standard fees for registration apply. After successful registration of the eighth (8th) dog within one calendar year, a customer's account is converted from individual to kennel status.
4. Active breeding dogs are those which are used in a breeding program (i.e.: intact dogs intended for breeding purposes, not spayed or neutered pet or retired breeding dogs). 

2. Member and Canine Information

1. As a private canine recordkeeping corporation, CKC does not release confidential information of club members or their registered dogs to parties other than the club member who is listed as the owner(s) of the canine.
   • CKC will NOT release canine registration numbers by phone to anyone, including the owner of record. Duplicate registration documents are available by request, for a fee. Members with multiple dogs may request a Quick Reference Sheet.
   • A member may request their member or account number by phone or email. The member will be asked to verify account details (address, phone number, CKC number, etc.) before release.
2. A member's information may only be released to another member when we are authorized to do so by the owner of record, either by signed consent or a properly served subpoena.
3. CKC maintains records of canines and their ancestry, and maintains a pedigree service for its members to obtain this information according to its published Member Service Fee Schedule.
4. Other requests for canine records not listed in the published Member Service Fee Schedule may be available upon request and are subject to additional research and service fees. 

3. Signatures

1. CKC requires all documents to be complete with the owner's signature. Some documents, such as the Picture and Witness Application require additional signatures. 
2. CKC is not responsible for dogs that are registered under fraudulent pretenses or forged signatures.
3. Documents that are found to be fraudulent or forged will result in immediate revocation of all canines, puppies, and litters produced from the fraudulent or forged documents, and immediate suspension of registration rights and privileges of the violator. CKC may also, at their discretion, pursue additional legal action against violators.

4. Address Changes

1. All registration documents and correspondence are sent to the member account email/physical address of record. It is the responsibility of every member to ensure that the email address and mailing address is up to date. 
2. Any change to the member account information must be requested in documented form and signed by the member requesting the change.

5. NSF (Returned Checks)

1. Fees for checks submitted as payment for registration service(s) returned for insufficient funds are the responsibility of the club member.
2. Any canine registrations associated with the delinquent payment will be suspended until the proper payment and NSF fees are paid in full.
3. Payment for NSF's must be remitted by debit/credit card or money order. Checks are NOT accepted as payment for clearing NSF charges.

6. Processing Timeline

1. Under normal circumstances, applications received by mail, fax, email, or via our online registration system are processed within five (5) to seven (7) working days, upon receipt, excluding weekends and holidays. These timeframes may be altered due to emergencies, natural disasters, or other interruptions to the mail. 
2. CKC updates the website footer a few times each week with current processing dates. You can view which mail’s receipt date is currently being processed by going to ckcusa.com and scrolling all the way to the footer. 
   • Applications submitted through our Photo and Witness Program (PAW) program require, at minimum, 30 business days for processing.
   • Special breed registrations which require research may require additional time for processing.
   • Physical registration documents are mailed from our office upon completion and should arrive within 7-10 business days of processing, dependent on your location.
   • They are mailed 1st class via USPS unless a customer requests and pays for expedited mail services. Contact our Customer Service Team for additional information. 
   • If you do not receive your documents after the 10th business day, please contact our office immediately. 
   • Members must immediately review their registration documents upon receipt. 
   • Time limits and fees for corrections and reissued documents are assessed by document type according to the current Member Service Fee Schedule after the established timeframe has lapsed. Please see this document for time limits and pricing. 

B. Ownership & Transfers

1. Ownership Disputes

1. Please note; once registration documents have been submitted to transfer ownership from the breeder/previous owner to the new owner, CKC cannot stop the registration process, regardless of monetary disagreements between the two parties. For this reason, we strongly recommend that owners/breeders do NOT transfer ownership of the puppy/dog or registration papers until the full payment is received. 
2. In the event of an ownership dispute regarding a CKC-registered dog, the complainant must submit their request in writing, along with any relevant supporting documentation such as the certificate of registration, vet records, bill of sale/receipt, contracts, etc.
3. Once an ownership dispute or investigation is launched, CKC will suspend the registration of any canine involved in an ownership dispute until documentation of proper ownership can be provided, usually in the form of a court judgment and/or notarized affidavit, or additional legal documents.
4. All interested parties will be notified of any additional requirements from CKC.
5. No transfer of ownership or litter registration may occur while the ownership is contested. 
6. Upon receipt of a court judgment or other satisfactory legal documents, ownership will be reinstated to the current owner on record or transferred to the new owner. An official Certificate of Registration will be issued if the ownership is changed.

A. Eligibility & Requirements

Any litter submitted for registration with Continental Kennel may be subject to additional verification requirements at our discretion. Any veterinary verification regarding canine health or litter size must be submitted in writing and signed by a veterinarian on their letterhead.

1. Litter Size

1. According to our historical data, litter size varies according to breed, including the maximum litter size.
2. In cases where the litter size is suspicious, such as, but not limited to, being greater than our standard maximum, we may ask for additional verification such as: photographic proof which includes the litter, the dam (mother) of the litter, veterinarian verification, or parentage DNA. 
3. Puppy Registration Applications are withheld until we have received and verified the puppy count provided.

2. Parent Age

1. Any litter or puppy produced by a dam or sire under the age of six (6) months at the time of breeding will not be accepted for registration.
2. Dams that are 12 years of age and older require a veterinary statement regarding the dam's physical condition and breeding capability. This may be required periodically as long as the dam is used for breeding.
3. Sires that are 13 years of age and older require a veterinary statement regarding the sire’s physical condition and breeding capability. This may be required periodically as long as the sire is used for breeding.
4. Veterinary verification must be submitted on a yearly basis as long as the sire or dam is an active part of a member’s breeding program.

3. Limited Registration

1. Preferred Breeders can limit the registration of an entire litter when requesting the Puppy Registration Applications. 
2. Any breeder can limit the registration of a puppy they produce that has not yet been registered into a new puppy owner’s name, by submitting the Puppy Registration Application and registering the puppy to themselves, and paying the standard registration fee. The request for limited registration should be submitted in writing with the application.
   • Additional information is available on our website at: https://ckcusa.com/registration/limited-registration/.
3. The breeder may choose to permanently remove the limited registration status from a dog at any time. They must submit a request in writing. The new owner must have the certificate reissued according to the current Member Service Fee Schedule.
4. CKC is unable to police the registration rights of dogs dual-registered from other registries. The best way to ensure that a puppy or dog remains limited is to register parent dogs and litters with CKC and limit the litter or puppy through CKC.

4. Special Cases

1. CKC reserves the right to refuse registration of litters that meet any of the following criteria:
   • Homozygous merle litters (double merle litters, or litters where both parents are a variation of merle, including but not limited to cryptic or hidden merle, dapple, harlequin, etc.)
   • Closely inbred litters - litters between full siblings or parent-offspring pairs.
   • Full siblings come from the same parent dogs, regardless of a shared birthdate.
2. “CKC reserves the right to suspend, revoke, or limit the registration status of any canine which, Continental Kennel Club, in its judgement, determines to have significant genetic health issues as determined by genetic tests, veterinary examinations, canine-specific tests, or other procedures; which in CKC’s judgement, make it a poor specimen for breeding” (Rule IV.A.6.c.).

5. Advertising

1. Puppies or dogs advertised as “CKC,” “CKC-registered,” or “CKC-registerable” must be sold or transferred using an official CKC Canine Registration Certificate, Supplemental Transfer Form, if necessary, or with a CKC Puppy Registration Application.
2. Picture and Witness (PAW) applications are not to be used for dogs or puppies advertised as “CKC-registered,” “CKC-registerable,” or used for the transfer of a dog or puppy from one owner’s name to another.
3. Owners of advertised CKC litters, puppies, or dogs must advertise all CKC-registered litters, puppies, or dogs as the breed is listed on the dog(s)/documentation, including  CKC certificates of registration, pedigrees, and Pre-Printed Puppy Application.
• For example, Miniature Poodles should not be advertised as “Toy Poodles,” Australian Cattle Dogs should not be advertised as “Mini Heelers,” if the breed listed on the registration states otherwise. 
• Failure to do so may result in suspension and forfeiture of all CKC rights and privileges.

1. All purebred canines registered with CKC must be ‘of proper breed type,” which is in addition to purebred status.
2. Any canine submitted for registration as a purebred canine will be measured by the official Continental Kennel Club breed standard for the breed should the purebred status, or breed type be called into question.
3. CKC determines the official name for each breed it recognizes, and publishes breed standards for official CKC breeds.
4. In the event that a dog is found to be not of ‘proper breed type’ or incapable of breeding true, CKC reserves the right to adjust the status of the dog as follows:
• If the dog has no registered litters, the dog will be suspended. 
• If the dog has litters or offspring registered, the parent dogs and all affected dogs will be marked as LIMITED and changed to a designated breed type at CKC’s sole discretion.

A. PEA Testing

1. Canine Requirements

1. 1. PEA, or Photo Enhancement Analysis, is an investigative tool used to verify that the phenotypical presentation (outward appearance) of the canine coincides with the Continental Kennel Club breed standard. Its purpose is to ensure that registered canines are of 'proper breed type.'
   2. All canines submitted for evaluation using PEA must be at least one (1) year of age. CKC recommends that large and giant breeds be at least two (2) years of age. CKC reserves the right to require PEA prior to the minimum age in cases of a formal complaint.
   3. Dogs with special coat requirements may need to be evaluated after two (2) years of age to properly develop and meet coat requirements as defined by the CKC breed standard.
   4. Female dogs must not be pregnant or nursing at the time the photographs are taken.
   5. The dog must be in good physical health and free of any visible disease, disorder, parasites, structural defects, and significant disqualifying faults, except in cases of a formal complaint.
   6. CKC reserves the right to refuse to complete a PEA Test and may rely on other appropriate testing if needed. 

2. Photograph Requirements

1. The dog must be standing on a flat, level surface in each photograph submitted. 
2. The view of the dog should not be obstructed by an object, person, or other canine; fences,  grass, or large chains and collars interfere with the outline and proportions of the dog. 
3. Photographs may be submitted in two ways:
   • Printed on photo paper (4x6 in. minimum size), with no editing or retouching.
   • Emailed (in a .jpg format), with no editing, filters, or retouching.
4. Photographs taken at the eye-level of the canine are required.
5. The dog's entire body must be visible in the left and right side views. None of the dog should be cut off in the photographs. 
6. Photographs must be in color; NOT blurry, grainy, discolored, or in black & white.
7. Additional photographs may be requested for proof of breed specific characteristics, for example; a dorsal view of ridged-back breeds, photographs of rear dewclaws in some breeds in which rear double dew claws are required, photographs of the mouth and gums for breeds which require pigmented gums or tongue. 

3. Processing Requirements

1. PEA evaluation requires 30 business days to be properly evaluated and processed. 
2. PEA evaluation may be used in conjunction with other testing methods as deemed necessary by Continental Kennel Club.
3. Fees for PEA evaluation are the responsibility of the complainant.
   
   

B. Disputes, Grievances, & Complaints

If you have a concern that coincides with an actionable complaint type, please contact our Customer Service Team for assistance.

1. Actionable Complaint Types

1. 1. Registration: Can include a complainant not receiving the correct, original, signed registration documents from a seller, a seller falsely representing a dog as being CKC-registerable when it’s not, or another registration-related situation.
   2. Parentage: Arise when a complainant suspects that a dog has been erroneously or fraudulently registered under incorrect parent dogs.
   3. Breed or Breed Type: These types typically involve a dog that was represented as one breed, but may have physical characteristics that are atypical for that breed or you have reason to believe the dog is not purebred.
   4. Genetic health complaints are usually against sellers who have sold or exchanged a dog that has been found to have a genetic, infectious or contagious disease or disorder, or has died due to the disease or disorder. 
      • CKC can only take action in health disputes that center on a proven, veterinary-documented genetic mutation.

2. Non-Actionable Complaint Types

1. Non-genetic health complaints include parvo, fleas, worms, hernias, and coccidia, to name a few. First offenses are generally recorded, but no further action is taken. Repeated incidents may constitute an investigation, at CKC’s discretion.
2. Kennel Care and Conditions: If you observe unsanitary kennel conditions or inhumane treatment of animals when purchasing a dog or puppy, you should contact your local humane society, USDA office, and/or local authorities to make a report. These groups/individuals are duly authorized by law to investigate these kinds of problems before buying a dog/puppy. CKC has no jurisdiction in this capacity.
   • If the CKC member is convicted of cruelty to animals, unethical breeding practices, or poor animal husbandry, their membership and registration privileges are subject to suspension and/or revocation according to our registration rules, pending the result(s) of an independent investigation.
3. Contractual Matters: Generally speaking, CKC will not become involved in contractual disputes between involved parties. CKC has no legal authority to settle such disputes.
4. CKC will review contracts submitted as supporting documentation.
5. Other: Sometimes other complaints that do not fit within these categories will arise. These complaints are handled on a case-by-case basis.

A. Applications and Certificates

1. Certificates and Pedigrees

1. Documents will be reissued up to 60 days from their issue date if they are not received, free of charge to the member. The member must verify their address.
   • This does NOT include Puppy or Canine Package C. These are mailed with a tracking number and will not be reissued without payment. The tracking number will be supplied to the member at their request to file a claim with their local post office.
     
   • Reissues of documents contained therein will be reissued according to the above policy.
2. Documents will be corrected up to sixty (60) days from their issue date at no cost to the member.
   • Original documents must be returned before new registration certificates will be released.
3. Documents are released only to the owner on record. No transfer of ownership can occur by phone.
4. Reissue and correction fees are assessed according to the current Member Service Fee Schedule.
5. Please review your registration documents immediately upon receipt and report any error or omission to CKC immediately to avoid fees.

2. Puppy Registration Applications

1. Puppy Registration Applications may be ordered up to one year from the litter’s date of birth. After that, Puppy Registration Applications cannot be obtained and individual Canine Registration Applications must be supplied. Applicants must adhere to current CKC rules, guidelines, policies, and procedures for submission. 
2. Puppy Registration Applications will be reissued up to thirty (30) days from their issue date if they are not received, free of charge to the breeder. The breeder must verify their address. CKC cannot send the replacement applications directly to the new puppy owner. 
3. Puppy Registration Applications will be corrected upon notification by the member to CKC. Reissue fees may apply.
   • The breeder/owner of the litter is responsible for notifying new owners who have already taken possession of their puppy and registration application of the changes needed. The new puppy owners should not use the invalid puppy application. The new puppy owner should wait to register their puppy until receiving the updated application from the breeder/litter owner with the correct information, and the incorrect documents (applications, certificates, pedigrees, etc.) should be returned to CKC or destroyed.
   • If the new owner has already registered their puppy prior to the correction, the breeder/litter owner is responsible for any reissue fees for services rendered to the new puppy owner prior to any correction regardless of registration date (could be within 30 days of the issue date). 
   • Puppy Registration Applications in possession of the new puppy owner are not to be returned, but are considered VOID.
4. Documents are released only to the breeder/litter owner on record.
5. After thirty (30) days from the issue date, fees are assessed according to the current Member Service Fee Schedule.
6. Breeders and litter owners must review all Puppy Registration Applications immediately upon receipt and report any error or omission to CKC immediately to avoid fees. 

3. Incorrect Dam or Sire Listed

1. The breeder must submit this change in writing, including the name and CKC registration number of the proper parent.
2. Any Puppy Registration Applications in the breeder’s possession must be returned by mail to CKC. 
3. The breeder must notify puppy buyers of the invalid status of the application in their possession.
4. The breeder must pay applicable reissue fees for puppies already registered AND for updated Puppy Registration Applications not yet submitted for registration.
   • The incorrect documents (applications, certificates, pedigrees, etc.) should be returned to CKC or destroyed upon receipt of new/updated paperwork.

4. Incorrect Birthdate (No Registrations Filed)

1. The breeder may report this change by phone and update the Puppy Registration Applications.
2. CKC does not require the breeder to reissue the Puppy Registration Applications, but they may do so if they choose. 
   • Fees apply according to the Member Service Fee Schedule. 

5. Incorrect Birthdate (Registrations Filed)

1. The breeder must submit this change in writing, including the correct birthdate for the litter. 
2. The breeder must notify buyers of the invalid application they possess, if necessary.
3. The breeder must pay applicable reissue fees for puppies already registered.
   • This includes certificates, pedigrees, etc.

6. Incorrect Number of Puppies

1. The breeder must submit this change in writing within 30 DAYS of the original registration date. 
   • Failure to correct this error type within the timeframe allowed will result in the inability to register any puppies unaccounted for.
2. The breeder must pay applicable reissue fees according to the Member Service Fee Schedule.

7. Transfers

1. Transfers of ownership must be made using the original CKC Certificate of Registration. If the certificate is not available, a Supplemental Transfer Form and/or Certification of Ownership must be used. 
2. All signatures are required on transfer forms and supplemental transfer forms.
3. The Certification of Ownership Form must be used if the original certificate of registration is missing the required signature(s). The completed form must be notarized and accompany all other documents necessary to complete the transfer.

8. Canine Registration

1. Registration for a canine not registered as part of a litter with CKC, and therefore puppy application, should be applied for using a CKC Canine Registration Application.
2. Proper forms of alternate breed verification must come from a CKC-recognized registry and certify the registration of the applicant canine and/or its parents with the original issuing organization. 
3. Approved documents verify both breed and ownership and may include an official certificate of registration or pedigree if accurate owner information is displayed on the document.  
4. In cases in which an approved document proving ownership cannot be supplied (a pedigree without owner information, parents’ registration certificates, etc.), an applicant must submit proof of ownership such as a bill of sale or notarized Certification of Ownership, along with acceptable alternate breed verification. If the Certificate of Registration is in the previous owner's name and proof of ownership being signed over by the previous owner is included on the certificate of registration, a copy of this may be acceptable.
5. When submitting a canine application for registration, which includes a CKC registration number for one or both parent dogs of the applicant canine, a copy of the official certificate of registration must be supplied.
6. Please note: CKC does not grant full registration rights to dogs registered from certain programs of approved registries that require the dog to be spayed or neutered prior to being enrolled in the program (such as AKC's PAL or ILP program). Dogs may be accepted for registration through these programs, but are registered on a limited basis. 
   
   

9. Canine Registered Names

1. Puppies born to a sire or dam may not have the exact same name as the sire or dam.
2. Names that are profane, racially offensive, or derogatory in nature are not permitted. 

10. Canine Coat Colors and Registration

1. Every breed standard maintained by CKC includes in it the standard coat colors that serve as a characteristic of that breed. However, CKC does recognize that some breeds are also capable of producing colors outside of the standard coat colors. In an effort to keep the breeding gene pool as large as possible, CKC has also included a list of non-standard colors that are sometimes found in purebred dogs. 
2. Dogs presenting a non-standard coat color that is produced from CKC-registered parents or that are registered with a CKC-approved registry will be accepted for registration.
3. Dogs of non-standard coat color are not eligible for evaluation through the PAW Program. 
4. Dogs’ colors or patterns that are reported as neither a standard color, nor a listed non-standard color may have its registration status changed to ‘LIMITED’ so as to not perpetuate colors not associated with a dog breed.

11. Merle Canines

1. CKC recognizes the rise of the controversial merle coloration that is cropping up in many breeds in which merle is not a traditional, standard coat color. 
2. To prevent these dogs from mixing into the general breed population while still allowing breeders to produce the color. CKC will identify all merle (and its variants) dogs and potential merle carriers on all CKC registration documents.
3. It is our intent to limit the occurrence of homozygous (double merle) litters and to allow breeders who wish to avoid the trait all together make informed decisions regarding breeding pairs, stud services, etc. 
4. Merle patterned dogs whose breed in which merle is a non-standard color will be registered with a merle designation combined with the breed. Ex: Poodle – Merle
5. All puppies produced by a dog with this designation will also carry the merle designation.
6. Owners/breeders may have the designation removed by submitting genetic testing clearing the dog of the merle gene.

12. Non-Purebred Canines

1. Miscellaneous breeds (often referred to as designer breeds, cross-breeds, hybrids, or miscellaneous crosses) are considered Non-Purebred by Continental Kennel Club. 
2. Non-purebred dogs are clearly identified and differentiated from purebred dogs in the CKC registry by breed class, registration numbers, registration processes, and the 'Non-Purebred' stamp on all documentation.
3. In instances in which no registration documents are available, owners of these canines may apply for CKC registration using the Non-Purebred Canine Registration Application form.
4. The Non-Purebred Canine Registration Application must include two witness signatures and be accompanied by the required photographs.
5. If the Non-Purebred canine is registered with a CKC-recognized registry or its parents are CKC registered or they are registered with a CKC-recognized registry, a Canine Application may be submitted along with a copy of the registration certificate(s) for the canine or the canine's parents.
6. Continental Kennel Club will recognize an official, "designer" name for Non-Purebred canines such as Pek-a-poo, Labradoodle; or a name based on a combination of root breeds, such as Misc/Rottweiler–Doberman Pinscher. The decision to recognize an official, "designer" name is at the sole discretion of CKC.
7. Once registered, the owner is issued registration papers identifying the registered dog as a hybrid canine which shall be marked as NON-PUREBRED on all registration papers.
8. Non-purebred dogs and designer breeds are not eligible to be registered as purebred dogs.

13. Litter Registration

1. Members registering over the phone must have available: both parent dogs' names and CKC registration numbers, the date of birth of the litter, and the number of live puppies in the litter. CKC strives to ensure the accuracy of all records.
2. Members who do not have registration numbers available may request a courtesy lookup of information without penalty.
3. A Customer Service Representative may choose to extend a second courtesy lookup. However, upon the third request for a lookup of information, registration documents must be reissued.
4. Litter dates for a dam must be a minimum of 120 days (four months) apart. Litters born too close together will not be registered.
5. Litters cannot be registered over one year of age.

14. Inbreeding/Linebreeding

1. CKC reserves the right to refuse registration of a litter between a parent/offspring or full sibling pairing.
   • Full siblings are considered dogs from the same litter AND from the same breeding pair with a different birthdate. 
   • See IV.A.4 for additional information.
2. Please note, because CKC is an open registry, we accept dogs from registries in which inbreeding/linebreeding may still be an acceptable practice, therefore, occasionally evidence of inbreeding or linebreeding may be evident in a dog’s pedigree. 
3. Breeders/Litter Owners who are found to be subject of multiple inbreeding complaints (2 or more) may be subject to revocation of all CKC registration rights and privileges. 

15. Dogs Outside the US

1. CKC does not register dogs in Canada. Persons wishing to register with Continental Kennel Club must do so at a US address.
2. US Territories including Puerto Rico (PR), US Virgin Islands (VI), Guam (GU), APO, and FPO addresses are charged NO additional fees.
3. Canines belonging to citizens of countries outside the United States and its territories are eligible for registration with Continental Kennel Club. Foreign registrations are subject to additional shipping and handling fees.