Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Is Foreign Kennel Club Paperwork Ok?

My friend bought a dog from a gentleman about two years ago. He’s had several dogs in the past, and when he collected the paperwork, he noticed it didn’t look like the usual Kennel Club paperwork or certificate.

Upon closer inspection, the dog was actually registered with the IKC (the Irish Kennel Club). It’s quite common to get dogs over here that are registered with the AKC too (American Kennel Club). So, does this make a difference to you?

If the dog is for a pet, then no, it makes no difference whatsoever.

However, if you wish your dog to compete at pedigree dog shows and your dog is resident in the UK, then your dog must be registered as ‘imported’. Instructions on how to do this are listed on the Kennel Club website. If your dog lives abroad and you want him to compete in the UK but without actually changing residency, then you need to apply for an Authority To Compete (ATC) number.

Interestingly, just because your dog has foreign KC paperwork, it doesn’t mean that his or her parents were registered in that country. If the bitch was registered in the UK, but gave birth in Ireland, then her litter should be registered with the IKC and not the UK Kennel Club.

In summary, it shouldn’t matter at all where the KC paperwork is from, just so long as you have it!