AKC vs CKC: The AKC is the American Kennel Club, and the CKC is the shortened form of Continental Club Kennel. Both kennel clubs in the US oversee the registration of dog breeds.
Although the AKC is more known among the two kennel clubs, some breeders prefer the CKC because the club is more lenient with its registration than the AKC.
These rules and standards have led to the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizing 197 dog breeds as of August 2021, while the CKC recognizes 450 dog breeds.
The AKC tries to ensure the dogs registered are purebred, which has led to one of the critics’ arguments that the kennel club solely focuses on physical appearance, leaving out health/emotional standards.
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
The AKC was established in 1884 and is the number one go-to registry for dog owners in the United States. It has its headquarters currently in New York but organizes various events across the US.
At the time the American Kennel Club was established, there was no competition anywhere across the globe until the 1990s, and this is one reason why they are still well known today.
They are known for their strict policies, which encourage pure breeding. The club would not register a dog whose parents are not AKC registered. The club requires that both parents be registered.
The club, without prior notice, does regular inspections on the registered dog’s kennel and DNA inspection.
All of the breeds recognized by the AKC are divided into seven groups, and they are:
- Hounds
- Terrier
- Working
- Herding
- Non-Sporting
- Toy
- Sporting
Note that the French Bulldog belongs to the Non-Sporting breed group.
The Continental Kennel Club (CKC)
The Continental Kennel Club (CKC) is often mistaken for the Canadian Kennel Club, also known as CKC. Please note that they are both different clubs, as the latter serves Canada, as the name implies.
The CKC (Continental Kennel Club) was established after registering its first dog in 1991. It is a family-owned business that started in Louisiana. The club was founded by George Fontenot, who passed away in 2001 before the business was handed down to his son.
The CKC recognizes mixed breeds, unlike the AKC, which encourages only pure breeds. They only require that one parent of the dog be registered is registered with the club.
Continental Kennel Club recognizes more than 450 breeds of dogs and 12 breed groups.
- Companion and Toy Breeds
- Bull Breeds
- Pinschers and Schnauzers
- Gun Dog Breeds
- Spitz and Nordic Breeds
- Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
- Terrier Breeds
- Large Guardian Pastoral/Mountain Dogs
- Primitive, Pariah, and Feral Breeds
- Molossoids and Mastiffs Breeds
- Scenthounds and Related Breeds
- Sighthound Breeds
Is CKC better than AKC?
This depends on many factors, such as the breeding method of the dog that is to be registered and the breeder’s preferences.
To understand more, you can skip to the AKC vs CKC section of this post.
Are CKC-registered dogs purebred?
There are purebreds amongst the CKC registered dogs, but not all are purebred, as the club encourages mixed breeding also.
Can a CKC dog be registered AKC?
Yes, a CKC dog can be registered with AKC. All the breeder/dog owner has to do is transfer all the paperwork to the latter.
Is the CKC reputable?
Although the CKC and the AKC might have differences leading to a classic “AKC vs. CKC,” the Continental Kennel Club (CKC) is reputable and recognized across the country.
How can you tell if a dog is CKC registered?
Unlike the AKC, you cannot verify a breeder’s claim on their website. You need to verify by calling CKC at 800-952-3376 and verifying the numbers.
AKC vs CKC
We would compare the American Kennel Club and the Continental Kennel Club (AKC vs CKC), so you can see the similarities & differences.
- The AKC recognizes less than 200 dog breeds, while CKC recognizes more than 450 breeds. Thus. The latter gives breeders more options and looks more attractive.
- The AKC was established in the 1880s, while the CKC started in 1991. This has made the AKC more known and more established than the CKC.
- Both clubs do regular inspections from time to time, and they are usually unannounced. These inspections include checking the paperwork, kennel cleanliness, dog health, DNA of the registered dog, and more. If a dog fails inspection, the club membership would be suspended.
- For registration, AKC requires that both parents of the dog must also be registered with the club, while CKC requires that just one parent be registered.
In conclusion, these clubs or dog registries are both prominent, and this “AKC vs CKC” article is to help breeders or dog owners to understand these clubs better.
