APRI vs. AKC: Which Dog Registration Best Fits Your Needs

When you think of a dog as being registered, the American Kennel Club (AKC) might naturally come to mind. However, the AKC isn't the only dog registry in the United States. The American Purebred Registry (APR), North American Purebred Registry (NAPR), and America's Pet Registry (APRI) are just a few other dog registry organizations you might encounter when you are considering buying a dog.

America's Pet Registry has been recording pet registrations since 1992. APRI also hosts dog shows with an emphasis on education rather than performance and conformation. The registry is a for-profit business and is registered with the Better Business Bureau as a corporation with 15 employees.

There's no need to submit pedigrees when registering with APRI. A simple online form asks you the pup's breed, birth date, and a few other questions. You can opt to purchase a certificate with your pet's photo as well as his pedigree going back as much as four generations.

NAPR registry requirements

North American Purebred Registry began in 1995 as the North American Beagle Registry. NAPR began registering all breeds as a response to the slow processing time for other registries that weren't allowing breeders to receive their papers back in time to sell their puppies. The for-profit company has a 24-hour turnaround as one of its recordkeeping goals and maintains an A+ listing with the Better Business Bureau.

No papers or pedigrees are necessary to register a dog or an entire litter. Simply fill out the online form or print and mail it along with a nominal registration fee.

Choosing a registry

Choosing one registry over another doesn't necessarily add to the value of your dog. Registries simply maintain records of generations of dogs. Some, like the AKC and APRI, provide education for breeders and handlers to promote the humane care and the overall health of the breed.

AKC registration is the largest in the U.S. Registering your dog and ordering a pedigree through the nonprofit will show you if there are champions, grand champions, or other notable dogs in your dog's lineage with records that go back as far as 1875 in the AKC stud record book. It shows any health certifications on your dog or his ancestors as well as whether your dog's lineage hails from a foreign country.