The American Kennel Club, or AKC, is an organization known for registering dogs. The body is considered to be the largest purebred dog registry in the world. It has over 5,000 licensed and member clubs apart from the affiliated organizations. A question most breeders have is what are the differences between a limited AKC registration and a full AKC registration.
The American Kennel Club is responsible for advocating purebred dogs as family companions and purposeful dogs. The organization and its multiple arms advise on canine health, breeding practices, and well-being. They also work towards protecting the rights of the dog owners. The kennel club of America also promotes responsible dog ownership.
In this article, we will be discussing the limited and full AKC registrations, knowing in details about the significance of each and finding out whether it is possible to update a limited registration to a full one.
What is a Limited AKC Registration?
For the American Kennel Club, a Limited Registration implies that the dog is registered but the litters produced by that dog are not eligible for registration. This registration is required to be applied for by the dog owner with the application containing the request for such a limitation. Once registered, the offspring of the dog will not be open for further registration.
Every registration certificate of such a dog will continue to carry the notice of the limitation, which will automatically be carried forward. There will be no change in this registration even with a change in ownership unless the owner of the litter, right at birth, applies to the AKC for the removal of such limitation. The Limited Registration certificate comes in white with an orange border.
The American Kennel Club’s Rules Applying to Registration and Discipline states in Chapter 3, Section 4A:
Limited Registration may be requested for a dog when application for individual registration of the dog is submitted, provided the application, together with a request for such limitation, is filed by the owner(s) of the litter at birth. No offspring of a dog for which Limited Registration has been granted is eligible for registration. Each registration certificate for such dog shall carry notice of the limitation, and the limitation shall continue, regardless of any change of ownership, unless and until the owner(s) of the litter at birth shall apply to AKC for removal of the limitation.
The term “owner(s)” in this section means all of the owners of the litter at birth. Thus, all owners of the litter must agree to both the imposition and the removal of the limited designation. If the owners disagree on whether there shall be full or limited registration, in the absence of any written agreement to the contrary, the dog will receive full registration.
Only when the entire litter has been initially individually registered by the owners of the litter at birth through the Full Litter Registration, the Limited Registration for any dog in that litter may be requested by those owners at the time of the first transfer of that dog.
There is a history behind the emergence of this limited registration system by AKC. It was found by the organization that breeders were withholding the registration papers for puppies that were sent to non-breeding homes. When the new owners, who ultimately went ahead and decided to breed their dogs, anyway, applied to the AKC for new papers, they realized that the dog continued to be registered in the breeder’s name. This was not a case of fraudulence but a simple attempt by the dog owners to protect the breed as well as the breeding lines against backyard breeding. This is also clearly stated by the AKC on their website:
Limited Registration helps breeders protect their breeding programs. If breeders do not want puppies used for breeding purposes, they can request the option for those puppies.
In view of this, the AKC introduced the Limited Registration papers to help breeders sell non-breeding dogs to the public.
Dogs sold on AKC limited registration can still be bred, and their offspring can still be registered with a number of other registries. This, in fact, is becoming quite common, as fewer and fewer dogs are sold with full registration. The end result is fewer dogs with AKC registration and the diminishing of the AKC overall.
The AKC limited registration is practically worthless for a dog. It doesn’t allow the dog to be shown in any AKC shows, and it can’t be carried on to the next generation. It is essentially the same as a breeder withholding the registration, except it still costs money. Because it is of little use, most people now don’t even bother sending in the registration form to the AKC, and total registrations are way down.
What is a Full AKC Registration?
For the American Kennel Club, full registration is a registration certificate for owners who breed stock dogs and dogs that are actively participating in dog shows. Full registration is required only by the breeders. Therefore, dog owners who are not actively involved in dog breeding do not need to worry about a full registration certificate.
The American Kennel Club’s Rules Applying to Registration and Discipline states in Chapter 3, Section 4:
No individual dog from a litter whelped in the United States of America of which both parents are registered with The American Kennel Club shall be eligible for registration unless the litter has first been registered by the person who owned the dam at the time of whelping, or by the lessee if the dam was leased at the time of whelping, and, further, that an application to register such litter is filed with The American Kennel Club no later than six months from the date of whelping of the litter.
The full registration by the AKC comes in white with a purple border. With this, owners can take their dogs to shows and events and also be actively involved in breeding their pups.
Full registration has become a relatively rare thing, with breeders routinely selling entire litters on limited registration. As a result, it has become a price point, with a puppy being sold with full registration for as much as twice the price of the same puppy with limited registration. This adds an even higher barrier to a business where the barriers are already too high and encourage more people to breed outside the system or using alternative registries which don’t have nearly as good of oversight.
As a whole, the difficulty of finding great full registration dogs diminishes the quality of breeding. It reduces the number of quality dogs available. That, in turn, drives up the cost of AKC dogs and makes it even harder for AKC breeders. As you can see, it is creating a vicious cycle which could eventually destroy the AKC and many good breeders.
In 2017, the AKC considered the elimination of limited registration for these and other reasons. They were put off at the time by negative responses, but the problem will not go away, and if they are smart, the leadership of the AKC will eventually eliminate this option and use official policy to strongly encourage breeders to provide registrations with the puppies they sell. Otherwise, it will eventually mean the end of the AKC, as AKC breeders leave or die out, leaving nobody to take their place, because breeding AKC dogs got too expensive and tied up in red tape for new, young breeders to get started.
Limited AKC Registration vs. Full AKC Registration
The basic difference between an AKC limited registration and a full AKC registration is that the former is meant for non-breeders while the latter is for professional breeders. If the dogs with limited registration are bred, then their puppies cannot be registered. Full registration costs are typically higher than that of limited registration.
The breeder or the owner decides as to whether they will go for limited registration or a full one. The limited one is for puppies that are not considered for their breeding quality but accepted more as a member of the family. In fact, the limited registration is only applicable for individual puppies, all of who needs to be registered separately. A full registration, on the other hand, is available for approved breeding homes only and available for the entire litter.
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Puppies with limited AKC registration can compete and participate in the AKC sponsored events and shows like tracking, field trials, herding, lure coursing, obedience, etc.
The process of applying for both is similar. AKC has different application forms for the two different types of registration processes and dog owners have to fill the forms, along with the necessary details required in each.
There are no costs involved with full, versus limited registration. If a breeder charges more money for full registration, it is because they want to, not because it costs the breeder anything.
Upgrading a Limited AKC Registration to a Full Registration
According to The American Kennel Club, litter owners are eligible for changing their limited registration to a full one through a specific form called the Application to Revoke Limited Status. It is a form that has to be completed and sent to the AKC office accompanied by a processing fee that may vary. Once processed, the AKC will send the full registration certification to the owner of the dogs.
The costs of upgrading from a limited registration to a full registration can amount to between $100 and $300. The price typically varies depending upon the bloodlines of the litter.
Although the AKC stays away from disputes related to limited or full registration, there is an exception where the body has a say in the matter. This is when there is a contract that has been signed by all the parties right at the time of the dog sale, stipulating the registration status. It is only in these matters that the AKC can set up an inquiry in its own rights.
The AKC does not endorse or formally license anyone engaged in the commercial selling of purebred dogs. As such, the organization cannot actively control the business practices of such kind or even those involved in such transactions. Also, no individual member can be a part of the AKC. The American Kennel Club is comprised of only independent dog clubs based out of the entire US.
Thanks to Ethan Lamoreaux for a lot of precisions we added to this article in January 2019.
32 comments on “Limited AKC Registration vs Full AKC Registration”
There are a few things I would add to this.
• Dogs sold on AKC limited registration can still be bred, and their offspring can still be registered with a number of other registries. This in fact is becoming quite common, as fewer and fewer dogs are sold with full registration. The end result is fewer dogs with AKC registration, and the diminishing of the AKC.
• Limited registration is practically worthless for a dog. It doesn’t allow the dog to be shown in any AKC shows, and it can’t be carried on to the next generation. It is essentially the same as a breeder withholding the registration, except it still costs money. Because it is of little use, most people now don’t even bother sending in the registration form to the AKC, and total registrations are way down.
• There are no costs involved with full, versus limited registration. If a breeder charges more money for full registration, it is because they want to, not because it costs the breeder anything.
• Full registration has become a relatively rare thing, with breeders routinely selling entire litters on limited registration. As a result, it has become a price point, with a puppy being sold with full registration for as much as twice the price of the same puppy with limited registration. This adds an even higher barrier to a business where the barriers are already too high, and encourages more people to breed outside the system, or using alternative registries which don’t have nearly as good of oversight. This diminishes the quality of breeding in general, and reduces the number of quality dogs available. That in turn drives up the cost of AKC dogs, and makes it even harder for AKC breeders, creating a vicious cycle which could eventually destroy the AKC and many good breeders. In 2017 the AKC considered the elimination of limited registration for these and other reasons. They were put off at the time by negative responses, but the problem will not go away, and if they are smart, the leadership of the AKC will eventually eliminate this option and use official policy to strongly encourage breeders to provide registrations with the puppies they sell. Otherwise it will eventually mean the end of the AKC, as AKC breeders leave or die out, leaving nobody to take their place, because breeding AKC dogs got too expensive and tied up in red tape for new, young breeders to get started.
How do I remove my name as the breeder of a bitch that should not be bred the dog is not up to the standard of breeding she is now 5 years old I was half owner and signed off on the papers I do not want to be part of the unethical breeding that is planed I don’t want any association with the dog
Something I forgot to mention in my previous message. Purchasing a puppy on limited registration, hoping to have that changed into a full registration later, is foolish. Only one person can agree to that, and that person may not be available when you need them. Some breeders will offer to have limited status revoked, but only after a series of requirements are met. These typically include having a list of health checks done, but can be much more extensive, including co-ownership contracts, requiring the dog be shown until it wins a title, and the exchange of massive sums of money. In some cases the result is legal battles, broken friendships, and broken bank accounts. And all of this isn’t helping breed more and better dogs! This is why my policy is to never purchase a dog on limited registration or with too many contractual strings attached. Such things can easily turn into a nightmare, and I can’t afford all that!
Besides, whose dog is it, anyway?
This is so wrong. To allow breeders this kind of “patent” on a breeding is to compromise the future of an already endangered WW2 strain of old line GSP, where my interest lies. It is difficult and expensive to further the strain, and to allow breeders this scam shows extremely poor and short-sighted judgement. I am certain it must threaten other breeds and strains as well.
I’ve owned four AKC registered dogs in my lifetime…for the first three “limited registration” did not exist. I purchased the animals as pets because I liked their bred with no ideas of becoming a breeder and had then spayed/neutered accordingly. My most recent Westie is AKC with limited registration…i didn’t know what that meant until now. I didn’t know it would disqualify to show. The breeder told me the rest and seemed adamant about me not becoming a breeder when I mentioned I may consider this when I retire. I now believe this is all about the money – and I paid a great deal for my lovely Westie and was glad to find a registered one so close to my home and was eager to purchase a puppy since our previous Westie of 14 years succumbed to Westie lung disease six months ago. The limited registration is a scam.
I recently purchased 2 AKC Registered Bernese Mountain Dogs. I paid $3300 for both a male and female. At no time did the breeder discuss Limited Registration with me. It wasn’t until I began reading the AKC registration application that I realized the consequences of Limited Registration. I purchased the pups for pets with no real intention to breed, but I am feeling a bit deceived that an option was taken from me without my knowledge. I understand wanting to protect the breed lines, but felt this should have been discussed. I don’t know if it would have made a difference in my decision to purchase at the time, but it may have?? Yes, I should have done my research and been better informed. Now I’m thinking why bother with the AKC registering and paying their fee for what?
So I get a magazine?? Buyer beware!
I’m on that same boat you are. It was never brought to my attention about limited registration. My kids absolutely fell in love with our GS Puppy. The breeder said she can either take it back or charge me an extra $600 for full registration. Its extremely frustrating, I already paid more than I had in mind, now this…..Where else can I register my puppy?
This exact same thing just happened to me! We purchased a German Shortahaired Pointer as a family dog. As we just got online to register her, we found out we were sold a dog with a limited registration. Our intentions are not to go out and breed our dog that we now consider a child!! This needs to be stopped, or these people breeding these dogs and selling dogs with limited registration and calling them AKC registered puppies need to have the hammer dropped on them. This is very upsetting to me that they can charge people for an AKC registered dog, just so they can compete in AKC sports, but they are not full AKC! I believe these sellers need to disclose this information when paying for the dog. When I contacted the owner, she stated if I would have mentioned that I was going to breed her, she wouldn’t have sold her to us. Well if I would have known I was paying a full price for a registered dog, that’s not a truly registered dog, I WOULDN’T HAVE BOUGHT THE DOG! Sorry for venting, but this shouldn’t be allowed. She then told me in 2 years if I want to do a full health check on the dog, she would then open it to a full registration. So I get to spend more money on all the health checks, and also have to pay a fee to AKC as well. Seems like we are getting poked in the eyes from all angles.
Same thing here. Paid 4K for a AKC registered Frenchie. Had no idea he was limited until I got the registration papers. There was no contract signed and no mention of it at the time of sale. So shady. I feel duped.
Same happened to me. Previously owned dogs were registered and no limited registration existed. I see this as a way to monopolize on breeding and slimming down competition.
It will be the down fall of AKC. We
I have hesitated sending in my AKC registration for my new puppy. I would like to show her in OB and while I realize I can do this with limited registration, If she excelled in this I may want to breed her. Let me say here that I have purchased over my lifetime many purebred dogs. I showed both in the breed ring and in OB over the years but never bred any of my dogs. Never produced one litter because for one reason or another did not feel it benefited the breed per say. Not to say they weren’t exceptional dogs in many respects. I now have a puppy that came with limited reg. And while I respect the breeders desire to do so I feel if I put in the time and effort in training and health testing involved (which would be a must to consider breeding her) all with the idea that at some point I could get her changed to full reg, this might be a nightmare in the making without a contract. After reading the above info it occurs to me that I should negotiate this now rather than wait. It would be ironic to finally have a dog worth breeding and find my hands are tied! I waited for this litter to be born as both parents are DNA genetically tested negative for issues in health with a long list of other excellent factors health wise. Thanks for the heads up on unforeseen Problems I might encounter.
Good luck I’m very sorry I have just been told about this my self I’m very lucky my Pekingese Male is full but a person wanted to sell me a female with limited after talking to her for a while I said I might as well go get a shelter mut and not spend 3K for her female I am going to make it my mission that the AKC knows about my thoughts
As a breeder, I always give full registration with puppies with 2 exceptions. The one exception is if I have an older puppy that I want to place I will sometimes give the option to buy the puppy with limited registration for a seriously reduced price. The other exception is when a puppy has a defect (hernia, undescended testicle, etc) and shouldn’t be bred I will sell it with full disclosure, at a reduced price, with limited registration. I believe that is how limited registration was meant to work.
That is being a breeder that who is proud of their breeding. Do breeders that sell a dog not know that another person showing with their kennel name on promotes them.
We have a GSD puppy with full registration cost us less and We just bought a GSD female puppy and the breeder ask us if we going to breed her. we told him not at the moment. we told him we going to wait until we retire. the puppy we paid $1,600.00 and when it was the time to pick her up we didn’t realized that he gave us limited registration. I told to him he told us that he is his dam dog is bloodline with Czechoslovakia champion line and he didn’t want to pass on the litters. ours heart are broken because he what he did that to us and did not advise us that our puppy will be limited , but we would like in the future that our dogs have a puppies.
An AKC limited registration doesn’t prevent the owner from competing with the dog in AKC events. The dog can’t do conformation. If you’re buying a dog with a limited registration, chances are it’s not show quality anyhow. The dog MAY compete in AKC sports, field trials, obedience, get a CGC, do Therapy work (when titled), and everything else offered by the AKC. Do your homework. A neutered or spayed dog may compete in all the fun stuff too! A limited registration is a good thing.
It is not your dog to say whether or not it can be bred or shown should it show the promise, once you sold it. How can we better the breed if they cannot breed? Perfect genetics….and now it cannot be bred. Shame on you
Limited is not good cause it outs you from breeding … you make no sense there are real lovers of the species that want to breed their dogs there should be an option for the buyer not the seller
I am in total agreement with the limited registration being unfair. It was never mentioned at any time prior to the purchase of my boarder collie puppy. Only after payment, when we got the dog home did I learn about it on the AKC website. I’m thinking deceptive practices on the breaker, and conspiracy to monopolize breeds on a class action scale for the AKC.
Anyone up for filing a class action against the AKC?
It is a bad practice. I purchased my pup from AKC website Breeder and paid $3200 which seemed like a lot. Later to discover the limited registration restrictions. This practice is deceptive.
Yes it does take the fun hopes and aspersions of keeping the breed pure and going I think AKC should change this immediately or there will be more mix breeds and then in the long run the AKC will be gone it is a scam to sell a limited registration for a Champion blood line puppy
This will simply promote designer dogs
Yes it does take the fun hopes and aspersions of keeping the breed pure and going I think AKC should change this immediately or there will be more mix breeds and then in the long run the AKC will be gone it is a scam to sell a limited registration for a Champion blood line puppy, I will not pay 3K for a puppy I can’t sell the puppy’s from or use to show and or compete with other pure breed dogs
Limited Registrations should be a good thing. I had no idea that AKC charged so much to revoke a limited Reg. to a full one. The reg. was already paid for the first time around, the people did the right thing and waited 2 years before wanting to breed the puppy, and now they have to spend $100 to $300 to make it a full reg. That is ridiculous. I can see if the fee was $25 to $50, that would be reasonable for the change. I won’t be limiting anymore puppies.
I don’t understand how a breeder would list the puppy as AKC but not disclose this to the buyer prior to purchase. I am surprise the AKC allows this to occur. If you buy a house with a known defect the seller by law is supposed to disclose this to the buyer or face a lawsuit and reimbursement.
You are all ignorant of the true reason for the limitation. Additionally a good breeder never places their puppies with people who make comments such as these. Thank goodness for contracts and law degrees for people of this ilk. You can absolutely show your dog with Ltd registration just not in conformation because the point is it is NOT YOUR LINE to breed. If you want to be a backyard breeder there are plenty of breeders who don’t care a rat’s butt if you dog fight with their dog or breed it to death. That is the kind of breeder best suited for your ideology.
A good breeder is in the business of selling property. The best ones are humane, treat their pups well and conduct business in an open and transparent manner. They can also listen for signals the pups will go to good loving homes, but nothing is guaranteed.
Your ignorant post might have some validity if the breeder only sold to other breeders. That is not the case in most instances. They are selling to the public and defrauding the public if they list the dog as AKC when it is only limited AKC.
Slick lawyer like double-speak doesn’t change the reality that you are hiding hiding information critical to the selling value of the dog.
Every dog line is NOT YOUR LINE to breed either. It’s not up to you to CONTROL via deceptive means.
The ideology of phony, theft of other peoples money appears to be the one you ascribe to. Otherwise, why not be open and transparent to everyone interested in your pups. Scammers find all kinds of ways to excuse their behavior.
You my dear are the one that is ignorant, the limited registration was brought to us by greedy breeders that want to limit supply of puppies. And your mention of “THERE LINE” probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard. My particular breed was developed in France and Norway 150 years ago the developer of this breed is long gone, but I’m sure he would be glad people are still breeding HIS LINE.
Sorry Dr. or Esq. or both🙄, What I can’t believe is that someone of Your Obvious Elite Pedigree took the time to lowered your standards and take part in a conversation with mere peasants far beneath someone of Your ilk… Your condescending attitude and over all superiority complex make you an awful person no matter how many degrees you may have. Choosing to not be a B*$&# is Free and requires no higher education:)
The issue is one of transparency. It appears the AKC has set up a system whereby breeders of record today control the future. Not disclosing the limited status is tantamount to fraud! Obviously, those not in the business, would never look for a loophole like this when viewing puppies if it were not disclosed.
It’s a scam folks! Simple as that.
I never intended to breed my puppy, but I want the FULL Certificate to proudly display in my home. Yes, it’s an ego thing, so what? I paid the high price for a purebred dog for a reason. If I wanted a mutt, I could have gone to the pound.
Same on the AKC organization and shame on breeders that hide the “limited” information.
My breeder is going to get an ear-full, I just picked the pup up 3 days ago and found this out as I was filling out the online data for registration.
i don’t plan on breeding my new puppy but i intend to compete in akc events, other than conformation which he is not quality for anyway, he has 1 blue eye, border collie. should i bother with full reg. or should i just register him with the limited registration? is there a price difference?
I have an exceptional Golden Retriever with a limited registration. When I purchased him, I didn’t care about showing him or breeding him but at 2 years of age, he has exceptionally good conformation, color and demeanor, his hip x rays are excellent and I would now like to show him. The breeder lives near me and will not allow me to change to full registration because she’s afraid I’ll decide to breed him as well and told me she’d only allow it if I neutered him but how stupid does she think I am, if I neutered him he can’t compete in conformation!