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New Rules of Eligibility and Registration


The Canadian Kennel Club is excited to announce important changes to the Rules of Eligibility (ROE) and the registration process for purebred dogs. These updates will help ensure that all dogs registered with the CKC conform to the highest breed standards while maintaining the integrity of the purebred dog community across Canada.

What are the Rules of Eligibility?
The Rules of Eligibility are a set of 10 broad traits established for each breed that are necessary for a dog to be registered with the CKC. These traits include key characteristics such as size, coat colour, coat texture, markings, ear shape, tail carriage, and other physical features that are used to identify a breed. These rules are specifically for registration purposes and are distinct from the Breed Standards.

How are the Rules of Eligibility established?
A Rules of Eligibility Committee, working closely with the National Breed Clubs, has created the 10 traits for each breed. Once these traits are defined, breeders and enthusiasts vote on the rules through a Referendum Process. After the vote, the rules are sent to Agriculture Agri-Food Canada for final approval.

What happens to my existing registration?
If your dog’s registration aligns with the newly established Rules of Eligibility for their breed, there will be no change to their registration status. However, if your dog’s registration no longer meets the criteria, they will be placed under conditional registration. A dog with conditional registration can still compete in most CKC events (such as agility, rally obedience, and scent detection), but they will not be eligible to breed.

Why can’t I register a litter from a previous sire/dam?
With the introduction of the ROE, all sires and dams must comply with the established traits for their breed. Previous litters may have been registered because the ROE was not yet in place for that breed. Once the ROE is established, only dogs that meet the traits can be used for breeding.

What does conditional registration mean?
Dogs with conditional registration are still considered purebred, but they do not meet the full requirements for registration as a parent for a litter. Conditional registrations allow these dogs to continue participating in CKC events, except for Conformation.

My dog’s colour is a permitted colour, but it’s incorrect on his paperwork. How do I fix this?
If your dog has been placed under conditional registration but you believe this is an error, you can request an amendment. The dog will be reviewed by a committee, and fees may apply to amend the registration.

Conclusion
The CKC is committed to ensuring that our registration processes reflect the highest standards for purebred dogs. The implementation of these Rules of Eligibility helps preserve breed integrity and ensures that every dog registered with the CKC meets the breed’s most essential traits.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact our support team at [email protected]. We encourage you to stay informed and ensure that your dog's registration is up to date.

For more information about these changes, please feel free to reach out to us or consult the Rules of Eligibility FAQ page.
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