CKC Registration Rules

Registration Rules

(Effective Jan. 1, 2006)


1. Any breeder or owner of any dog(s) using a CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB (CKC) registration application must abide by all of the current CKC registration rules, guidelines, policies, and procedures. In addition, CKC club members and applicants for registration who compete in CKC events must abide by all current CKC Event Rules. Upon registration of any dog in accordance with current CKC registration rules, a registration applicant becomes a member of CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB.

2. Application for registration with CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB must be made on a current, original CKC registration application. It is the responsibility of each dog owner/breeder who represents dogs/puppies as eligible for CKC registration to insure that each registration application is fully completed and given to the new owner at the time the dog/puppy is transferred. Registration applications must be complete with proper documentation and fees for processing by CKC. All applications must be sent to the business office of CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB located in Walker, Louisiana.

3. Any breeder or owner of any dog(s) representing puppies as eligible for CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB registration must have the parent dogs of the puppies registered with CKC prior to representing the puppies as eligible for registration with CKC.

4. When representing a puppy as eligible for CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB registration, the owner/breeder must provide the new owner with a current, completed pre-printed Puppy Registration Application, which includes the parents' names and CKC registration numbers. If the breeder does not own the sire, and the sire is registered with another kennel club, which has been approved by CKC, then the breeder must provide a copy of the sire's registration papers from the other kennel club.

5. The CANINE Registration Application must be used to register dogs whose parents are not registered with CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB. The dog owner must complete the application and provide a copy of registration papers from another kennel club (approved by CKC) as proof of his/her dog being purebred. If other kennel club papers are not available, the dog owner must provide two witnesses who can verify the accuracy and truthfulness of the information listed on the application. When using the witness option, your dog must be at least 6 months of age and you must submit 3 photos (front, left & right) of your dog with the application. If any of the information listed on the application or the photos submitted are challenged, the dog owner agrees to bring forth said witnesses.

6. CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB accepts registration applications and issues certificates based on the honor and integrity of the owner/breeder applicants, and CKC accepts no responsibility for any inaccurate, false, or fraudulent information submitted on registration applications.

a. CKC reserves the right to refuse registration to any person or to revoke or suspend the club member privileges of any member who is convicted of a crime of cruelty to animals in any state, province, or country.

b. CKC reserves the right to refuse registration to any person or to revoke or suspend the club member privileges of any member who acts in a manner that CKC deems unethical, fraudulent, or dishonest.

c. CKC reserves the right to investigate any club member to insure compliance with CKC registration rules, guidelines, policies, and procedures. Members determined to be at fault of violating any of CKC’s registration rules, guidelines, policies, and procedures are responsible for all fees incurred by CKC’s investigation, including, but not limited to: DNA, PEA, and any other tests conducted in CKC’s investigation.

d. CKC reserves the right to refuse registration to any person or to revoke or suspend the club member privileges of any member who refuses to cooperate with or hinders in any way a CKC investigation or refuses to reimburse CKC investigation fees as described in Rule 6c.

7. CKC registration applicants and certificate holders acknowledge that all CKC registration applications and registration certificates (once issued) remain the property of CKC and are to be surrendered upon demand. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of each dog owner/breeder to notify CKC of any changes in a dog’s registration status such as its death or change in ownership.

8. In cases of questionable parentage of a CKC-registered dog(s) or dog(s) submitted for CKC registration, CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB will recognize and act upon the results of DNA testing to determine the parentage of the dog(s) in question. The DNA testing shall be conducted at a CKC-recognized DNA testing facility, according to current CKC procedures as set forth by CKC, and at the expense of the party contesting or challenging the parentage of the dog(s). Any breeder or owner of any dog(s), listed on a CKC registration application, who has the parentage of the CKC-registered dog(s) challenged, shall agree to submit the dog(s) in question to DNA testing according to CKC guidelines at the challenger’s expense, and agrees to abide by said DNA testing results.

9. All purebred dogs registered with CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB must be 'of proper breed type', which is in addition to purebred status. In cases where the 'of proper breed type' standard of a dog is in question, CKC will recognize and act on the results of Photo Enhancement Analysis (PEA) testing to determine if the dog in question is 'of proper breed type'. PEA testing shall be done according to current CKC procedures as set forth by CKC and at the expense of the party contesting or challenging the standard 'of proper breed type' of the dog. Any breeder or owner of any dog(s) registered with CKC who has the standard of his CKC-registered dog(s) challenged as being not 'of proper breed type', shall agree to submit the dog(s) in question to PEA testing according to CKC guidelines at the challenger’s expense. All members of CKC and registration applicants agree to abide by said PEA testing results.

10. CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB registration certificates shall be revoked by CKC on any dog where it is determined by CKC that any of the following occurs:

a. DNA tests demonstrate the dog in question to be of different parentage than as represented on the dog’s application;

b. PEA testing demonstrates the dog in question to be not 'of proper breed type';

c. False information concerning any dog submitted to CKC on a registration application;

d. Continental Kennel Club requests DNA or PEA testing and the owner does not submit the dog for DNA or PEA testing as requested by CKC.

e. The dog is determined by CKC to be aggressive and dangerous.

11. CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB registration applications submitted by two co-owners will be registered in both owners’ names. Application for registration made by minors (persons under 18 years of age) must have a parent or legal guardian as a co-owner of his/her dog.

12. Names of dogs registered with CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB must not exceed thirty (30) characters, including spaces & punctuation marks between words. Furthermore, names of dogs that CKC determines to be objectionable, including but not limited to names determined to be obscene, shall not be permitted.

When CKC certificates are issued to an applicant, a current set of CKC Registration Rules will be issued to the certificate holder. The certificate holder will be presumed to agree, follow, abide and comply with the current CKC registration rules, guidelines, policies, and procedures, as if he had signed his/her name and set his/her seal to these registration rules, guidelines, policies, and procedures in the same manner as with any binding agreement, unless within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the certificate and the copy of the then current CKC Registration Rules, the certificate holder returns the certificate to CKC for a full refund of fees.