We explain the difference between AKC and CKC with table. There are many breeds of dogs around the world. Being a dog lover and wanting to choose the best breed for them can be a big task because each breed would start to look perfect for you.
AKC and CKC are two main and popular dog registration clubs. They give a count of the approximate breeds that they recognize and allow the registration of other dogs in their clubs. They both have strict standards but they are quite different from each other. What are the differences?
AKC, which is short for American Kennel Club, was around since the early 1880s. They were the first of their kind and had no competition until the early 1900s around the world. They have strict registration policies and do not allow inbreeding. Even if a dog is registered, once they stop meeting the club’s standards, they can be registered and their registration suspended.
CKC is short for Continental Kennel Club and is another dog registration club that was first established in 1991 after adapting the AKC idea. They have 450 registered and recognized breeds as they allow the registration of both pure and mixed breeds. They also have registration policies but are more lenient than AKC.
What is AKC?
AKC or American Kennel Club is a dog registration club and was founded in the 1880s. The AKC was the first of its kind and for a long time, there were no other dog registration clubs in the world. This is the reason for its eternal popularity.
They have strict registration policies, one of the reasons they only have 150 recognized breeds. They only propagate pure breeds and make sure this is done correctly by constant DNA checks.
AKC allows breeding only between registered AKC parents. This is one of the strict criteria that they follow to recognize the new dog. They also monitor the cleanliness of the kennel and DNA.
If they do not meet the required standards or do not meet them after registration, they can suspend registration. Therefore, the pricing plans are different from CKC. While the CKC does not charge for litters, AKC charges for both litters and canines.
What is CKC?
CKC or Continental Kennel Club is a dog registration club. Only the mother must be a registered member of CKC, while the father can have a certificate from any other organization recognized by CKC.
It was founded in 1991 and due to its large number of recognized breeds, of approximately 450 breeds, it is now called the American Dog Factory. Its lenient standards and increased facilities have made it one of AKC’s biggest competitors.
It leads to inbreeding. CKC has faced backlash saying they don’t care about the quality of the breed. Its lenient record has led to owner concerns related to mixing their dogs with one another.
They typically require 3 photos and a signature for proof of a new dog’s breed to be registered with the CKC. This allows an advantage for owners to be able to recognize and retrieve their dog.
Difference between AKC and CKC with table
The difference between AKC and CKC is that for AKC both parents must be AKC registered dogs, while for CKC this is not necessary. Only the mother needs to be registered with CKC, while the father only needs a certificate from a CKC recognized organization.
Comparison table between AKC and CKC
| Comparison parameters | AKC | CKC |
| Abbreviation | American Kennel Club | Continental Kennel Club |
| Source | Present since the 1880s | It was established in 1991 |
| Recognized breeds | 150 breeds of dogs | 450 breeds of dogs |
| Charges | For the registration of canines and litters | Only for canine registration |
| Registry | Purebreds from AKC registered parents only | Pure and mixed breeds |
| Rules | Strict rules to avoid inbreeding and have only purebreds with registered parents | The rules are more lenient and do not follow the closed registry policy |
Main differences between AKC and CKC
- AKC stands for American Kennel Club, which is the first dog registration club of its kind. CKC stands for Continental Kennel Club and it is also a dog registration club that was established following the ideas of AKC.
- AKC was established in the early 1880s and there were no other such clubs until the early 1900s. CKC was established only recently, around the year 1991.
- AKC has only 150 recognized dog breeds, while CKC has 450 recognized and registered dog breeds with their club.
- AKC fees are high because they charge for canine and litter registration. Whereas CKC charges are comparatively less as they charge for the registration of only canines.
- The record of the two is also quite different. This is because, for AKC registration, both parents must be registered with AKC, whereas this rule is not seen in CKC. Only the mother must be registered with the CKC, while the father does not need to be, so pure and mixed breeds of dogs are allowed.
- AKC rules and standards are strict and closely followed to prevent inbreeding from occurring. In the case of CKC, their standards are much more lenient and this is the reason for their greater number of recognized breeds.
Final Thought
Dogs are known as humans’ best friends. Currently, there are many dog registration clubs and most of them help with dog breeding. The most prominent are AKC and CKC. They both follow strict standards and have certain rules presented to dog owners prior to registration.
AKC is the American Kennel Club and is a dog registration club that propagates pure breeding. They are one of the most recognized organizations and a destination for pure owners and breeders.
CKC is Continental Kennel Club and is also an AKC similar to a dog registration club. They are pure and mixed breeds as they do not have strict rules for both parents to be registered with their club. That is why they are also called the Dog Mill of America.
Both AKC and CKC are prominent dog breeding and registration clubs.
