How to Register a Litter with AKC After Whelping: Step-by-Step Guide

AKC litter registration officially records your litter with the AKC, allowing individual puppy registration for your buyers.

Before You Whelp: Requirements

1. Both Parents Must Be on AKC Full Registration

Both the dam and sire must be AKC-registered on Full Registration. Dogs on Limited Registration cannot produce AKC-registerable litters. Confirm registration status before breeding.

2. The Breeding Must Be Documented

The stud dog owner must provide a completed AKC Dog Registration Application confirming the breeding, or authorize through the AKC's online breeder tools.

3. Brucellosis Testing Documentation

AKC requires certification that both sire and dam were tested for Brucella canis within 12 months of mating.

After Whelping: What You Need

From your side: Dam's AKC registration number, date of mating, date of whelping, number of males born (living and stillborn separately), number of females born, color descriptions of all puppies.

From the stud dog owner: Sire's AKC registration number, signed authorization if co-owned.

How to Register Online

1. Log into your AKC account at akc.org
2. Navigate to Register a Litter or Breeder Tools
3. Enter the sire's registration number
4. Enter the dam's information
5. Enter litter details: mating date, whelping date, number of males and females, colors
6. Pay the registration fee
7. Receive your litter registration number and individual puppy registration applications

The Puppy Registration Applications

For each puppy, the AKC provides an individual registration application containing the litter registration number, puppy sex and color, and dam and sire information.

As the breeder: Keep one portion, give the buyer the remainder at sale. The buyer uses this to register the puppy in their name.

Full Registration vs. Limited Registration

Full Registration:

• Dog can be shown in AKC conformation
• Dog can produce AKC-registerable offspring
• Appropriate for show or breeding homes

Limited Registration:

• Cannot compete in conformation shows
• Offspring cannot be registered with AKC
• Appropriate for pet homes
• Can be changed to Full Registration by the breeder of record at any time

Best practice: Place all pet-home puppies on Limited Registration. Only place puppies on Full Registration when the buyer has been screened and accepts breeding responsibilities.

Co-Owned Stud Dogs

Both co-owners must authorize the breeding. The AKC's online system allows digital approval from both co-owners. If using someone else's stud, get their AKC registration number and written confirmation of the breeding before the breeding occurs.

Time Limits

AKC requires litter registration within 12 months of whelping. Do not wait.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not confirming Full Registration status before breeding
• Not getting stud owner documentation before the breeding
• Wrong litter counts (include stillborns in appropriate category)
• Not providing buyers with their puppy application at pickup

Summary

AKC litter registration requires both parents on Full Registration, mating documentation from the stud owner, and accurate litter information. Register online within 12 months. Give every buyer their puppy registration application at pickup. Decide Full vs. Limited Registration for each puppy before the litter leaves.