What Are Papers?
If you are getting your rottweiler from a breeder, you should receive “papers,” or proof of registration. These papers should come from the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC). Occasionally, you will find a dog registered with a German or foreign registry such as the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
These papers are proof that your rottweiler is a registered purebred. It is not a bill of sale. It doesn't mean your purebred is any more valuable than any other dog. It isn't a symbol of quality. It isn't a guarantee of health.
One of the benefits to registering your dog with the AKC is that you will receive a number of free goodies, including a magazine subscription, free treats in the mail, and even free pet health insurance for six months.
Types of AKC Registration
There are three types of AKC registration:
Full registration. This states the dog may be bred and is eligible to compete in all AKC conformation and performance events.
Limited registration. This states the dog may not be bred and can't compete in AKC conformation events but may compete in performance events.
Indefinite listing privilege. This is for dogs with an unknown pedigree that are still obviously purebred. The dog must be spayed or neutered and can't compete in AKC conformation events but may compete in performance events.
Registering Your Rottweiler
Breeders often refer to puppy papers as “blue slips” because for a long time they were small slips of blue paper. Now they're fullsize forms. You must fill out this registration and mail it in along with the AKC's fee to register your dog with the AKC. Your rottweiler puppy will not be registered otherwise. Likewise, if you do not complete the change of ownership on the back of a registered dog's papers, you will not be that dog's owner in the eyes of the AKC.
Don't confuse the dog's pedigree with his registration. A pedigree is a family tree. It may have an impressive AKC seal stamped on it, but it doesn't mean your dog is registered with the AKC. You must either have registration papers with the appropriate change of ownership form filled out on the back, or you must have puppy registration papers.
Limited Registration for Pet-Quality Dogs
If you are purchasing a puppy from a reputable breeder, and the breeder decides that the puppy is pet quality, there is a check box that the breeder may check, marking this puppy as a limited registration. Limited registration allows the rottweiler to compete in all performance competitions, but he can't compete in conformation, nor can any of his offspring registered with the AKC. Only the breeder can rescind this limitation in writing.
If you haven't neutered him, and your rottie proves to be show quality and you wish to show him in conformation, you can request that the breeder rescind the restriction in writing.
Why would the breeder do this? If the breeder is reputable and has sold your puppy as a pet-quality puppy, she doesn't intend for this puppy to be bred. In fact, she would charge you more for a show potential dog. This protects the breeder's reputation by eliminating the possibility of having her buyers turn into backyard breeders, who in turn might register a substandard litter with the AKC.
Registering Shelter or Rescued Rottweilers
Purebred rotties that don't have AKC registration papers may still be registered through AKC's indefinite listing privilege (ILP) registration. ILP enables dogs from rescues and shelters to compete in performance events. They must be spayed or neutered and certified as a purebred by a dog professional.
