No papers? No problem.

With PAL, your unregistered dog can still compete in AKC events.

Copyright the American Kennel Club, Inc., 2008. No portion of this article may be reproduced without permission of the copyright holder. Reprinted with permission from AKC Family Dog, May/June 2005. To subscribe: http://www.akc.org

BaileyIf you are reading this, you most likely own an AKC-registered [Kerry]. But we know our readers. You are the type of person who loves dogs so much that owning just one is often not enough. This page is devoted to your "other" dog, the AKC purebred that, for whatever reason, is not eligible for AKC registration papers.

Perhaps he is from an unregistered litter or has unregistered parents, or maybe you lost the papers, or didn't receive them from the dog's breeder. Many readers tell us they have opened their hearts to dogs that were lost, abandoned, or surrendered to shelters or rescue groups.

The AKC Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) program-until recently known as the Indefinite Listing Privilege -will allow your unregistered dogs of AKC breeds to take part in a variety of competitive events, just like your registered purebred.

The process is simple. AKC experts examine photographs of the dog. If they determine that he is indeed a purebred of an AKC-regisrrahle breed, and if the owner furnishes proof from a veterinarian that the candidate has been spayed or neutered, the dog will he issued a PAL number. PAL is not an alternative form of registration but simply a listing.

If you have a purebred dog ineligible for AKC registration and want to see how he fares against the very best, a PAL number is his lifetime passport to the world of dog sports.

Once enrolled, your PAL dog will have access to a menu of dog sports designed to suit dogs of every breed and inclination. And they will compete on a level playing field with their AKC-registered peers. During the program's long history, many PAL dogs have become top achievers in their respective fields.

AKC Board Member Patricia Scully has a theory about this. A longtime judge of competitive obedience events, Scully feels that dogs with unfortunate back-stories might have extra incentive to succeed: "It's almost-and I don't want to read too much into this-but it's almost as if these [PAL] dogs realize that they were lucky to be found by a good owner and, darn it, they seem to try extra hard."

How to Enroll

PAL enrollment applications can he downloaded at www.akc.org or requested by e-mail (at PAL@akc.org). When requesting an application by e-mail, include your name and mailing address. The following must be submitted with a completed PAL application.

  • Two recent, clear color photographs of the dog: a full front-view showing facial characteristics, and a full-profile shot of the dog standing on a flat surface-not grass; the AKC experts must he able to see the dog's feet. (The Border Collie Society of America offers excellent tips on photographing a dog for PAL consideration. Visit www.bordercolliesociety.com/BC_Rescue/PAL_Info.htm.)
  • Proof from a veterinarian that the dog has been spayed or neutered.
  • A nonrefundable $35 application fee. Send the completed application form and the above supporting materials to The American Kennel Club PAL, P.O. Box 37933, Raleigh, NC 27627-7933.

PAL enrollees will receive a subscription to the "Your AKC" e-newsletter, a flyer from the breed's national parent club, an attractive certificate denoting their dog's place in the PAL program, and a copy of AKC FAMILY DOG magazine. Enrollees also receive information on AKC Pet Healthcarc and AKC Companion Animal Recovery.

Event Menu

Conformation dog shows are primarily exhibitions of breeding stock, and thus your PAL dog, required to he spayed or neutered, cannot compete in the show ring for obvious reasons. But he can compete without restriction in many other all-breed or breed-specific AKC events. Here's the breakdown.

 

©1997-2011 KBTF -- Last Update: 10/13/10, 11:59:26 -- Terms of Use and Disclaimer -- Contact Webmaster

 

For more information about PAL (Purebred Alternative Listing), e-mail the AKC:
PAL@akc.org.