AKC, UKC and CKC: What’s the Difference?
By far, this is the most asked question from pet parents searching for a purebred dog or puppy in the U.S. They’re looking for a reputable place to begin their research and choose a breeder. Understand, clubs set standards for events (shows or obedience trails) and keep track of puppy registration paperwork. That’s it. Not all breed registration clubs are alike. You will be shocked.
Good Breeder Checklist
Before discussing purebred dog registration clubs, it’s extremely important to understand the difference between dog breeders. They’re not all the same. A reputable (good) breeder will:
Be a member of a national breed-specific club.
Health test all parents, grandparents and great grandparents.
Show their dogs in conformation (dog shows prove parents fit the breed standard).
Keep puppies until 8-10 weeks of age (leaving the mother earlier will cause behavior problems down the road).
Vaccinate puppies before placing (vaccinations and deworming).
Provide a contract with a lifetime guarantee for inheritable health conditions.
Provide documentation on health testing of parents, grandparents and so forth. Don’t accept verbal promises. Ask for health testing certificates.
Take back a puppy or dog regardless of the issue.
Microchip or tattoo the puppy or dog to identify before placing in a new home.
Provide constant support and information about socialization, feeding, caring for and any other questions for the puppy’s or dog’s entire life.
If someone doesn’t meet the above requirements, keep looking and don’t let price spook you. If you forgo health tested parents, you’ll end up paying for it down the road with health problems. I see it every day.
American Kennel Club (AKC)
In my opinion, this is the best place to start your research, but tread carefully, as all is not what it seems. AKC registration doesn’t guarantee a mentally and physically sound puppy or dog. It just means the sire (father) and dam (mother) are AKC registered. Paperwork is meaningless unless a breeder is committed to bettering her breed by following the above requirements.
National Breed Clubs – Start Here
AKC is the mother ship of breed-specific parent clubs so, basically, each breed-specific club is its own entity. National breed clubs are the heartbeat of any puppy registration kennel club. It ensures healthy and sound dogs.
As an example, American Rottweiler Club (ARC) sets the national breed standard (describing how the ideal Rottweiler should behave and look like) with experienced Rottweiler breeders and club members. Now, ARC reports to AKC, which keeps track and enforces breed standards through dog shows and so forth. While it seems completed, it really isn’t and it’s a good thing seasoned Rottie owners make these decisions. Think of these experts as the boots on the ground for a specific breed.
Click here and search for your breed of dog, then click “more” and learn more about the breed, such as breed standard and breed club. Now, click on “National Breed Club” to locate and interview breeders listed. These are the good folks. 
But Don’t Be Fooled
Many pet owners fall into the black hole of “AKC’s Online Breeder Classifieds” on AKC’s website so click carefully and don’t be swooned by glamorous promises or wording. If you’re browsing through it now, notice how many breeders skip over or leave sections of the Breeder’s Profile blank? Yup, do not buy puppies or dogs from these folks.
United Kennel Club (UKC)
The United Kennel Club is a good place to search too. They are larger and recognize more breeds than AKC, however, they’re not as popular. UKC does a nice job hosting events (e.g. dog shows, obedience trails and so forth) since they focus on conformation and working titles.
National Parent Clubs – Start Here
Just like AKC, they have parent clubs, which create breed standards, which is the perfect place to locate a reputable breeder. Just don’t forget to follow the above guidelines.
Click here to locate a national breed club and learn more about your chosen breed. When browsing on the breed club’s website, search for breeders, begin locating and interview them. These are the good folks, but they must offer the above guidelines.
Don’t Be Fooled
When searching under “Dog Finder” and “Breeder List,” be careful of false promises and fancy wording. Now, each classified lists services, event participation and health screenings, which is a good thing, but ask for documentation before exchanging money.
Continental Kennel Club (CKC)
Continental Kennel Club is a newer puppy registration club, which registers all dogs regardless if pure or mixed breed. Don’t get this club confused with Canadian Kennel Club, also known as CKC. They are totally different. CKC is a tough place to narrow down reputable breeders–it’s equivalent to finding a teeny tiny needle in 20 acres of piled up hay.
No Quality Control
AKC and UKC have field personnel inspecting breeders unannounced to ensure registered dogs are indeed purebred and kept in clean and sanitary environments. CKC does not offer this type of quality control so it’s bad luck on your puppy’s heritage (which helps with health issues later in life) and temperament.
No National Parent Clubs
No national parent club means there aren’t experienced members (breeders) to create a breed standard (which ensures Rottweilers look like Rottweilers) or identify or require health testing–yikes! Also, no breed standard means no temperament requirements, which as a dog trainer, scares me to death. Anyone can breed anything he wants. There are no restrictions.
Classified Ads
There are lots of pictures and promises of beauty, wonderful temperament, no health issues in their line (every bloodline has health issues!), limited health guarantee (um, they should have a contract for life) and cheap prices–very alluring for a novice pet owner. Don’t forget, a reputable breeder will follow the above guidelines so you better lace up your running shoes. This is a difficult place to find a good breeder.
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