With AKC, registration of purebred dogs is dependent on whether or not the dogs’ parents are also registered. Because AKC’s registry dates back to the late 1800s (1880), about 100% of all the registered dogs are purebred. On the flip side, CKC not only registers purebred dogs but also mixed breeds. In terms of pedigrees, AKC has recorded about 175 or so purebred dogs as opposed to the CKC’s 450 (purebred and mixed) breeds.
This read will bring down the AKC versus CKC discussion, opening you up to all the details. These are two of the popularly-known doggy registry clubs. Also, you will know something little about the UKC, which is another less popular one. See yourself till then end.
AKC Versus CKC
Around the globe, there are hundreds of dog breeds – probably thousands. As a dog lover, you may be looking for the best breed for yourself, but that can be challenging.
As you explore, you will surely come across the CKC and the AKC, which are inarguably the most popular dog registry clubs. These clubs usually give an estimate of the total count of breeds recognized and registered. Also, they give room for the inclusion of more dog breeds.
While AKC and CKC may both have standards of practice and dog inclusion, there are notable differences. And, what exactly are they?
AKC And CKC: Head-On
As mentioned in the kicker, the main difference between CKC and AKC is that AKC needs both parents to be in its register for the puppies also to join it. On the flip side, CKC is extraordinarily lenient and won’t have a problem registering a dog just because its parents are not in the register.
But with CKC, the devil is in the details. The bitch (or mother dog) needs to be registered with CKC but not the father. The fathering dog will only need to have certification from an organization recognized by the CKC.
If you didn’t know, AKC stands for the American Kennel Club and is probably the oldest globally – it was established in 1880. Because the AKC is old (and therefore wiser and more experienced), it has developed tight policies for getting dogs registered. One of their notable policies is that they do not allow the inbreeding of dogs. When the AKC includes a dog in its register, it doesn’t stop there. It investigates, and if any ‘impure’ blood is noted, the dog’s registration will be nullified and the canine suspended from the list.
CKC stands for the Continental Kennel Club, a registry club formed around 1991 and inspired by the AKC’s work. As noted in the starter, the club has so far recognized and registered about 450 breeds. As compared to the AKC, the CKC has particular leniency. Here’s a table showing the already-mentioned differences between the two registry clubs.
AKC And CKC: Boiled Down In A Table
| The CKC | The AKC | |
| Year of Establishment | 1991 | 1880 |
| Recognized breeds | 450 dog breeds | 150 dog breeds |
| Payments Involved | Canine registration only charged | Canine and litter registration charged |
| Intake | Both mixed and purebred dogs | Purebred dogs born of AKC-registered parents |
| Rules | Rules are quite lenient and do not follow a closed registration policy | Inbreeding is not tolerated |
Club One: The American Kennel Club
As you have already picked out, AKC is a club older than every person in the world. Because the AKC has withstood the test of time, the AKC has gained popularity despite its strictness.
Its policies confine the number of recognized breeds only to 150. Before a dog is registered, AKC uses a DNA check-up to confirm if it is purebred or not. If the AKC detects that a dog does not meet the club’s standards, its registration can be suspended (if it was already registered).
Club Two: The Continental Kennel Club
The CKC comes second when you start ranking dog registry clubs. As captured on the table, you only to register the mother. The fathering dog only needs a certificate from organizations recognized by the CKC. The following table shows most of the organizations as captured on CKC’s website:
| List Of Recognized Registries | |
| United Perro de Presa Canario Clu | Patterdale Terrier Club – America (PTCA) |
| United Kennel Club (UKC) | National Stock Dog Registry (NSDR) |
| United All-Breed Registry | NRTA – National Rat Terrier Registry Association |
| The Kennel Club | ASCA (the Anatolian Shepherd Club – America) |
| Pet Records – America | National Greyhound Association |
| American Bulldog Association | Field Dog Stud Book (FDSB) |
| American Border Collie Association (ABCA) | Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) |
| Boykin Society (Spaniels) | Animal Research Foundation |
| American Canine Hybrid Club | EJRTCA (for the English Jack Russell Terrier) |
| NKC (National Kennel Club) | American Stock Dog Registry (ASDR) |
| Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) | American Rare Breed Association |
| Australian Labradoodle Association of America | American Pet Registry (APR/APRI) |
| American Pet Records | American Canine Association (ACA) |
| American Kennel Club (AKC) | American Bully Kennel Club |
| American Field Dog Registry | American Bulldog Registry/Archives |
You can safely say that CKC competes with AKC in terms of being an umbrella registry. Both the CKC and AKC are not like the tabled ones, which are breed-specific. CKC also has more lavish facilities than AKC, making it a to-go club for the pet owners and dogs that the AKC rejects.
The CKC has faced lots of backlashes, saying that it does not value a breed’s quality. This is because they accept mixed-breed dogs, which is quite a worry for many dog owners.
The CKC will require that you produce 3 quality photos and a signature showing that you want the dog registered during registration. For owners who are craving that their dogs get recognized, CKC should be your go-to club.
Bonus Item: The UKC – The United Kennel Club
The UKC is like the AKC but an international version, and it is a for-profit club. Apart from taking in this and that dog breed, the UKC focuses on things like weight pulls, obedience contests, and agility trails. Unlike the AKC, the UKC does not focus on dog shows.
History: Where The UKC Is Coming From
In 1898, one Chauncey Bennett founded the UKC, about 18 years later after AKC was born. Bennett’s opinion of the AKC was that it was too hoity-toity and a little too posh. In that case, he wanted a club and registry that common people could access.
If you look at the standards that the AKC has set, you will realize that the attributes which are given attention are the physical ones. Mr. Bennett believed that a dog could be seen beyond its physicality. That explains why there is a focus on prowess and performance.
Initially, the UKC only accepted dogs of the bully breeds. However, their register now has over 300 dog breeds of all sizes and shapes. Some breeds like the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Bulldog, which the AKC snubbed, are yessed by the UKC.
UKC Registration
The requirements that UKC will present to you regarding registration will depend on the breed and the number of dogs. The registration paperwork will get to your via mail, and you will need to pay a $50 fee. If your dog gets rejected, you will get $35 back.
Like the CKC, the UKC asks you to send photos of your dogs if you lack any pedigree proof. However, UKC will give you attention if they see that your dog can be registered as another breed, you know, unlike the one you applied for.
Perks Of Getting Your Dog Registered With The UKC
We can place UKC below AKC but above CKC. This means that you will enjoy some form of prestige if you like it. If you wish to sell your puppies online or elsewhere, you can get more money if the UKC registers them.
On top of that, UKC registration opens your dog up to competitive events. This implies that the dog may become more than a companion: a superstar.
Final Words
In the US and throughout North America, there are many dog registry clubs. Some like the AKC ensure that only the purebred dog-lines are perpetuated. Others like the CKC do not have issues including mixes, meaning that reputable breeders have a chance of getting creative about bringing dog breeds together.
So, if you wish to register your dog, purebred or not, which club should you go to? Without a doubt, it is the AKC. Many people will criticize it for being discriminatory, but hey, it isn’t number one for nothing, is it?
If a breeder tells you that their purebred dog is CKC registered, be skeptical about it. If they talk about UKC, you can listen. However, only compromise if you feel like you need to do it.
But don’t be too passionate about registering a dog unless you’re a breeder. You can always get a pet at a pet store or a shelter, and it will serve you just right. All dogs, regardless of their pedigree, will be great companions if you train them well. Don’t worry about AKC, CKC, UKC, or any other breeding club unless you have to. To know more about how to register a dog without papers, read here.
I’m Christopher Benjamin, a dedicated Animal Nutritionist at Ethos Veterinary Health with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Michigan State University. My lifelong passion for animals led me to establish AnimalsData.Com. Here, I share expert advice, educational resources, and inspiring stories to empower fellow pet lovers worldwide. Join our community as we celebrate the beauty and diversity of our beloved animal companions!
