is it necessary for your dog to have akc papers?

Answer 1

If you want to breed or show your dog, then yes. If not, then no.

Answer 2

It depends on what you want to do with your dog.

If you are planning on competing with your dog in AKC Conformation, then yes, but papers do not guarantee that your dog is show quality. If you plan on breeding your dog and want the litter to be AKC registerable, then yes, but papers do not guarantee that your dog is breeding quality (in fact, very few dogs are -- please remember that we do have a severe pet overpopulation problem and breeding is not to be undertaken lightly). If you are planning on competing in other AKC events such as agility or obedience, then most likely, yes. It IS possible to obtain an Indefinite Listing Privelege to allow your unregistered dog to compete in those companion events, but you must be able to send photographic proof that your dog appears to be a purebred of one of the AKC registerable breeds, and you must be able to supply proof that the dog has been spayed/neutered. If companion dog sports are your aim, however, many other organizations offer options even for mixed breeds, so you need not even compete within the AKC if you don't want to.

Having papers does not make a dog a better pet. It does not even guarantee that the dog is a good representative of its breed -- unfortunately, there are far too many irresponsible breeders out there who do not breed for proper type or temperament. That said, if you plan on picking out a purebred puppy, AKC registration is a good thing to look for, but it is certainly not the only factor, or the deciding factor! Find a responsible breeder who not only registers, but also screens for common health problems in the breed and chooses his/her breedings very carefully to ensure the healthiest puppies possible!

The only thing an AKC registration really tells you is that the dogs for many generations before it were also registered -- and that is assuming that the breeders of all those dogs down the line were truthful when they filled out the forms! Keep in mind, however, that there are many newer registries out there whose papers mean even less than AKC papers do, and there are many so-called breeders who use those registries to dupe an unsuspecting public into believing that they are getting something special. That being said, there are many breeders who use the AKC and other reputable registries to do the very same thing!

If you buy a purebred puppy, do lots of research on the breed and the breeder before buying. But always remember that there are wonderful mixed-breed (and abandoned purebred!) shelter dogs out there, and they don't need no stinkin' papers to become your best friend -- or even great canine athletes!

Answer 3

Nope.

AKC is only a purebreed registry. It has nothing to do with puppy quality. You'll want the papers if you are breeding your puppy, and if you want them for sentimental reasons. Sometimes it's fun to get the geneology.

I've had a couple dogs from a breeder, but never bothered with their papers because I'm not doing anything with them. None of my dogs have been show material. Just wonderful pet material. :)

Answer 4

AKC registration is only for showing dogs in AKC rings or for breeding dogs that you want to be AKC registered. If you're not planning on doing either, there's no need for AKC registration.

Answer 5

Not to have a good pet... But they are necessary to have a breeding quality dog. (Although AKC papers alone do not MEAN your dog is breeding quality.)

Answer 6

Not at all. Papers are only needed for show dogs, and some field dogs, or if you want to breed them its a good thing to have.

If the pup is only going to be a companion dog and you dont plan on breeding it, I would not worry about it.

Answer 7

If you just want a dog to love, papers don't mean a thing.

Answer 8

the papers just allow you to show in AKC events and Charge for breeding purposes... the papers are your proof of breed... but i have always found i don,t need any proof of my love for my pets and neither do they

Answer 9

Only if you are buying a purebred dog from a breeder and then it only means something if the breeder is a responsible, ethical breeder.
AKC papers are also of use even for pet only dogs in order to prove ownership. They also preserve your dogs heritage.

Answer 10

no not really it helps if your dogs are for breeding though cause then you have proof of their bloodlines and then you know their family history and if you dog has no papers you can get him ckc registard but if your dog is for a regular family pet or companion then papers really dont matter

Answer 11

Nope. We could have acquired papers for our Dachshund, but because we had him altered, and his purpose was a companion dog, we didn't bother persuing getting the papers.