Near Baltimore Maryland, USA
AKC Registration
Limited Registratin or Full Registration
Many people seem to be confused as to the purpose and difference between Limited and Full AKC registration papers. If they are not confused…they disagree the control of breeding/registration rights the breeder assigns.
Limited registration is for people and dogs that are going to be pets, hunting companions, hunt test or other AKC or UKC sanctioned event contestants such as obedience or agility. They will NOT however, be used as breeding animals.
Not because there is anything necessarily wrong with them, but because either the breeder or the owner has decided that they will not/should not produce puppies. The dog with the Limited reg. papers IS registered! The only difference is that his or her PUPS CANNOT be registered.
The dog cannot be bench (dog show) conformation shown since this is a “show case” of breeding animals only. They can enter and gain points and titles in “activity” related events, such as hunt tests, field trials, agility, fly ball, dock dog, etc…..
Limited registration came about when AKC found out that breeders were withholding registration papers from pups that went to non-breeding homes. When the new owners would apply to AKC for new papers, (some doing so because they went ahead and bred their dog anyway), they found that they could not since their dog was actually still registered in the breeders name….
AKC investigated and found that the breeders were not trying to be fraudulent or mean, they were just trying to protect the breed and their breeding lines against puppy mills and back yard breeders.
AKC came up with the Limited papers to help breeders selling non-breeding dogs to the public without having to keep those people from entering activity events with their dogs. Most dogs in the US are bred without regard for ANY breeding standards, and when standards are applied they are frequently all wrong.
Full Registration ~ Full registration is for breeding stock dogs and those that are being shown in the dog show conformation ring.
If you ARE NOT a breeder, you DO NOT need full registration on your dog.
(Limited registration can be changed to Full registration by the breeder once the dog has meet whatever criteria the breeder has set forth to do so.)
I plan to sell every puppy under limited registration with the contractual agreement that once the dog is 24 months, OFA H & E passing and holds a title granted by AKC, I will have it reversed . (New edit/clarification by Owner: Limited registration will not allow you to compete in CONFIRMATION competition, but you can be entered in any other licensed or member event such as obedience, agility, hunting, fielding, agility and more. By the time your pup has grown and received an AKC title you may have discovered you have a gem who is show worthy. If Showing is your passion, I won't deny you this right. Be sure to state you need neuter/spay right to delay waiver if Confirmation Showing is your intent.)
Some pet owners that “just want puppies” may not understand that breeding is serious business. Many things need to be considered in order to make our dogs healthy and intelligent. Breeding to just have puppies and make money hurts the breed, the market and may add to undesirable difficult to place pups.
