Open Registration

When a new breed is accepted in the American Kennel Club a special type of registration known as Open Registration, is available for a limited time. The American Kennel Club in conjunction with the Parent Club (also known as a national breed club) sets this time frame for the breed.

Eligibility for Open Registration

• In order to be registered under Open Registration, a dog must be born in the United States, or one of it’s possessions or territories. Otherwise, it will have to be submitted with a Foreign Dog Registration Application.
• The owner must be a resident of the United States, or one of it’s possessions or territories.
• The dog must be of a breed eligible for AKC registration.
• The dog must first be registered with a domestic registry acceptable to the AKC (see below).
• The dog must be registered with the same name that appears on the certificate from the domestic registry.
• The dog must be registered in the same owner(s) name that appears on the certificate from the domestic registry.
• The information on the application must agree with the information on the domestic registry certificate and/or pedigree.

How to apply for Open Registration

If your dog meets the requirements listed above and you wish to apply for Open Registration, please send us a completed Open Registration Application and all of the required attachments or register online at akc.org/openreg.

Acceptable Domestic Registries

Individual dogs that are previously registered with one of the following registry organizations (see Special Registry Services for more info on these registries):

• American Border Collie Association
• American International Border Collie Association
• Field Dog Stud Book (All AKC registrable sporting breeds — other than Irish Setters and Irish Red & White Setters) –  AKC will no longer accept registration papers issued after July 1, 2022
• International Foxhunters’ Stud Book
• Masters of Foxhounds Association
• National Beagle Club of America
• National Greyhound Association
• North American Sheepdog Society
• North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (All AKC registrable Sporting Breeds — other than Irish Setters and Irish Red & White Setters)
• Society for the Perpetuation of the Desert Bred Saluki

Other Breeds Eligible for Open Registration (updated 9/01/23)

• American English Coonhounds (until 7/01/30)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.
• American Eskimo Dog (until 9/1/28)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club.
• American Hairless Terrier (until 1/01/26)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club.  If dog is born outside of USA owner must fill out foreign application.
• Anatolian Shepherds (effective 6/1/04 — ending date open)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America.
• Azawakh (until 1/1/24)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the American Azawakh Association
• Barbet (until 1/1/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club.
• Biewer Terrier (until 1/1/26)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the Biewer Terrier Registry of America.  If dog is born outside of USA owner must fill out foreign application.
• Black & Tan Coonhounds (until 7/01/33)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and they must be Purple Ribbon Dogs.
• Bluetick Coonhound (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.
• Boerboel (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the American Boerboel Club.
• Boykin Spaniel (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Boykin Spaniel Society.
• Bracco Italiano (until 7/01/26)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.
• Chinook (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club.
• Dogo Argentino (until 1/1/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club.
• Miniature American Shepherd (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs submitted from the Stock Dog Registry Services.  If dog is born outside of USA owner must fill out foreign application
• Mudi (until 1/01/27)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club.
• Plotts (effective 10/20/09 — ending date open)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.
• Redbone Coonhound (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.
• Sloughi (until 1/01/26)
• The AKC will accept dogs registered with the American Sloughi Association.
• Spanish Water Dog (until 1/01/25)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the Spanish Water Dog Club and United Kennel Club.
• Treeing Walker Coonhounds (until 1/01/30)
  The AKC will accept dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and the Professional Kennel Club.