I know that all responsible breeders who respond to this board are fully aware of AKC rules regarding AI and registration (see extract below) and follow those AKC rules and AI procedures properly.

However, there is growing evidence that some breeders are not fulfilling the requirements of the AKC and that some litter registrations may therefore be invalid.

If any breeder says they have used AI to produce your puppy, please ask to see all copies of the certification forms that they must have completed and AKC endorsements - Believe me, you do not want to discover one day that your dog's AKC registration is invalid.

Procedures for Registration Matters

XII. Artificial Insemination

A. Artificial Insemination Using Fresh Semen

The American Kennel Club will consider an application to register a litter resulting from artificial insemination using fresh semen, provided both the sire and dam are present during the extraction of the semen and the insemination of the bitch and the litter is, in all other respects, eligible for registration.

In order to register a litter whelped as a result of artificial insemination of the bitch using fresh semen, the following are required: a completed litter registration application form, a completed certification form and the proper registration fee.

The certification form contains sections to be completed by the owner, co-owner or lessee of the dam on the date of mating, owner or co-owner of sire on the date of mating and two additional certifications to be completed in those instances when the owner of the sire has authorized someone else to extract the semen from the male and the owner or lessee of the dam has authorized someone else to inseminate the female.

The certification form and litter registration application form may be obtained from The American Kennel Club, upon request, free of charge.

B. Artificial Insemination Using Fresh Extended Semen

The American Kennel Club will consider an application to register a litter resulting from artificial insemination of the bitch using fresh extended semen provided the semen is extracted and extended by a licensed veterinarian; the insemination of the bitch is performed by a licensed veterinarian and the litter is eligible for registration in all other respects. The use of imported fresh extended semen may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The specific requirements for the use of imported fresh extended semen should be requested from The American Kennel Club.

To register a litter whelped as a result of using fresh extended semen, the following are required: a completed litter registration application form, a completed certification form, the proper registration fee, and AKC DNA Certification for the sire.

The certification form contains certifications from the owner, co-owner or lessee of the dam on the date of mating, owner or co-owner of the sire on the date of mating, the veterinarian extracting and extending the semen and the veterinarian inseminating the bitch.

The special certification form and the litter registration application form may be obtained from The American Kennel Club, upon request, free of charge.

The specific requirements for the use of imported fresh extended semen should be requested from The American Kennel Club prior to any intended collection, which would include a cheek swab sample for DNA certification.

C. Artificial Insemination Using Frozen Semen

The American Kennel Club will consider an application to register a litter resulting from the artificial insemination of the bitch using frozen semen, provided the litter is, in all other respects, eligible for registration and the following conditions are met:
1. The collection of semen for the artificial breeding must have been reported to the AKC on the AKC Semen Collection Notice Form. If the semen was collected after October 1, 1998, the sire must be AKC DNA Certified.

2. The collector/storer must be on record with the AKC as familiar with and complying with the AKC regulations for record keeping and identification of dogs.

3. The frozen semen application form must be submitted containing the certifications completed by the owner of the semen, the owner of the dam and the veterinarian who performed the artificial breeding, together with the proper fee.

4. All sire owners must sign the form transferring ownership of the frozen semen.
Anyone requiring this frozen semen registration application form may obtain one from The American Kennel Club. The request should be directed to:
The American Kennel Club
5580 Centerview Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606-3390
You may also obtain a list of those collector/storers whose record-keeping methods have been deemed by The American Kennel Club to be in compliance with the regulations.

The regulations applying to the registration of litters produced through artificial insemination using frozen semen appear on the back page of the frozen semen registration application form.

The use of imported frozen semen may be considered on a case-by-case basis provided that The American Kennel Club has received prior notification of the intended insemination. The specific requirements for the use of imported frozen semen should be requested from The American Kennel Club several months prior to any intended insemination.