AKC Registered

When you’re looking to add a German Shepherd puppy to your family, ensure you ask if they’re AKC registered.

This is an important indicator of a dog’s bloodline. It also ensures you’re actually getting a purebred puppy versus a mix with a random breed.

At Celtic Shepherds, every one of our puppies is AKC registered. Naturally, their parents are also registered. Why is registration so important? Here are few reason it really does matter:

• You know your puppy’s full history
• Ensure a puppy isn’t unhealthy from inbreeding
• Ensure the puppy comes from a reputable breeder
• Know the German Shepherd your purchasing is full German Shepherd

What Is The AKC?

If this is your first dog or German Shepherd, you might not know what the AKC is. The AKC is the American Kennel Club. The organization was founded in 1884 to advocate for healthy, purebred dogs. Their mission is to advance overall canine health and promote more responsible dog ownership.

The organization has established strict guidelines as to which dogs are considered purebred and promotes responsible breeding for healthier litters.

Mixed breeds are only accepted as part of the AKC Canine Partners program. They receive numerous benefits and can participate in certain programs and events. However, only purebred dogs can be officially registered.

Registering A Litter

You’ve probably heard “AKC registered” used often, but how much do you really know about the process? It’s not a simple process, but that’s actually a good thing. After all, you want to ensure your German Shepherd is properly registered and the type of dog and bloodline you were promised.

A litter is only available for registration if it meets two main criteria. First, the litter must have two AKC registered parents of the same breed. There are no exceptions to this rule. Also, the litter must be born in the United States, territories or possessions. This reduces the risk of health issues from oversea dogs.

When registering a litter, the application has to be signed by an owner of the male and all owners and co-owners of the female. Each puppy must be individually registered.

Registering Your Puppy

While we start the process, we’ll provide you the paperwork necessary to finish registering your German Shepherd puppy. As ownership changes from our hands to yours, the AKC requires the dog’s details to be changed to reflect new ownership. You’ll also add your new puppy’s name to the application. After all, naming your puppy is such a special moment and we’d never want to take that away from your family.

Registration Benefits

Registration isn’t just about adding a German Shepherd to a list to ensure better breeding and health. There are also numerous benefits. You gain access to all of the AKC care resources to help you learn more about your German Shepherd, from personality to health.

You’ll also be able to enter your German Shepherd into AKC events. This is fun for the entire family, including your new furry friend. Just spending extra time together with training is special enough. However, German Shepherds are social dogs and taking them to fun events allows them to meet with others. You’ll also meet fellow owners and enjoy new lifelong friendships.

While we have nothing against mixed breeds, it’s always hard to know what your dog’s history might be. If you want a clearer picture of the German Shepherd puppy you’re getting and want to ensure it’s actually a German Shepherd and not just ¼ German Shepherd, always purchase from a reputable breeder like Celtic Shepherds that takes the time to register every single puppy in every litter. Plus, we have the paperwork to prove that every litter’s parents are fully registered too.