The Australian National Kennel Club is a kennel club that's fairly new in the dog breeding and showing world. But while they might be new in structure, they have made up for it in the spread of the organization in Australia. By encompassing the Australian Capital Territory Canine Association Inc., Royal New South Wales Canine Council Ltd., the North Australian Canine Association Inc., the Canine Control Council (Queensland), the South Australia Canine Association Inc., the Tasmanian Canine Association Inc., the Victorian Canine Association Inc., and the Canine Association of Western Australia Inc., all of the major portions of Australia are covered. But what does this mean to dog owners and breeders?

Who's in Charge

At the present time, Hugh Gent is currently the non-voting chairman of the Australian National Kennel Club. Recognizing seven different breed groups, the ANKC is steadily growing in terms of the breeds it recognizes as well as in the number of governing members. The voting and organizational structure of the Australian National Kennel Club includes a council, committee and working parties. The acting administrator is Tracey Barry, who also does not have voting rights within the organization. Each of the eight Australian kennel clubs that are recognized can have two delegates to represent them in the Australian National Kennel Club.

How Can I Register My Dog?

The process of registering your dog will begin in the local kennel clubs of your territory in Australia. If you are not a current member of any of these clubs, you will not necessary be banned from the ANKC, but it may work against you. There are forms that you will need to fill out for the Australian National Kennel Club, but they will also require testing of your dog's breed in order to verify their standing within the kennel club. Things that might be necessary include:

DNA testing

Identification by microchip

Tattooing of the identity or breed of the dog

No dogs from other countries are accepted into the Australian National Kennel Club unless they have been whelped prior to entering Australia. It is best that the owner of these dogs check with the ANKC before entering the country to see what may be required of them in order to be ready for the registration process.

It is necessary that a physical examination of the dog be done by a Master inspector who is qualified according to the Australian National Kennel Club. No photographs will be accepted in place of this requirement.

The dog must also not have names that include Roman numerals, apostrophes, hyphens or the letters 'imp.' Names that fall within these restrictions will need to be changed or the dog will not be accepted.

Litters of puppies still need to be registered with the Australian National Kennel Club regardless of where they were born.

While the Australian National Kennel Club seems like a stringent organization, they are also producing and maintaining some of the finest breeds in the world. And with the ANKC status, more breeds are becoming popular in many families and showcase situations.