When you buy a Royal Kennel Club-registered dog, the breeder has already registered its details. The seller should give you the registration information, allowing you to transfer ownership to your name.
Why should I change my dog's registered ownership
- Allows you to register as the official owner of your dog
- Demonstrates your commitment to your dog’s care and maintains its pedigree record
- Ensures accurate records on The Royal Kennel Club database
- Your dog must be registered in your name to show or breed it
How to update Ownership
- Use the breeder-provided registration details to transfer ownership online via Form 6.
- Alternatively, complete Form 6 and return it by post.
- Need help? Contact us at 01296 318540.
What You’ll Receive
- A personalised Royal Kennel Club registration certificate, making your bond official
- A voucher booklet full of special offers and discounts from the Royal Kennel Club and their partners; Pet Tags, the Crufts store, the Royal Kennel Club's nutritional partners; ROYAL CANIN® & James Wellbeloved™ and many more!
- A free Crumb smart tag with every pack, plus introductory offers to join the Crumb community to help reunite you with your pet when separated!
- Entry into a prize draw for a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher—just for registering!
- Lifelong support with a dedicated account offering tips, guidance, and exclusive offers for you and your dog
- 5 weeks free Royal Kennel Club Pet Insurance, plus a free Dog Gift Hamper when you continue with your policy*
- The ability to support The Royal Kennel Club Charitable Trust, funding projects to improve dogs’ health and welfare.
*offer applicable to new KCPI customers only
More information on changing the registered ownership of your dog
When I change The Royal Kennel Club's registered ownership, what will I receive?
- An official personalised owner registration certificate from The Royal Kennel Club
- Free, invaluable advice and support throughout the life of your dog
- Opportunities to show and breed from your dog and maintain the pedigree line
- Five weeks’ free insurance for your dog is available to you to activate when you have completed the transfer of ownership.
Your registration fee helps support The Royal Kennel Club Charitable Trust, making a difference for all dogs. The Trust funds a range of projects from science grants to welfare initiatives, all of which contribute to dogs leading happier and healthier lives.
You can purchase additional items during the transfer.
These items include:
- Enhanced Five Generation Pedigree: This is an A3-sized pedigree certificate providing five generations of your dog's history. If any dogs are champions in the pedigree, they will be printed in red text
- Breed Record Supplement: The Royal Kennel Club Breed Records Supplement (to the Stud Book) is a quarterly publication where all registration-related applications are shown. This includes litters, transfer or ownership, change of name, exported and imported dogs, health results and many other related transactions from The Royal Kennel Club. These are listed per breed and published per breed group. All applications entered on our database within each quarter are included in each edition
Further registration services and information
How do I change the registered name of my dog?
The registered name of a dog is usually chosen by the breeder when they register the puppy. The breeder is the only person who is able to register a dog with The Royal Kennel Club, and in order to complete registration they must select Royal Kennel Club names for each puppy in the litter.
Please be advised that The Royal Kennel Club name does not need to be the same as the pet name of the dog.
If you wish to change your dog's registered name, complete the online form to change the name of a registered dog (form 7). The breeder needs to sign the application to agree to the change of name and the application needs to be received within three months of registration.
How do I add my kennel name to my dog's name?
You can apply to add your kennel name to an existing dog's name in its registered ownership with The Royal Kennel Club, providing a name change has not already taken place, or the dog's name is not published in the stud book.
To add your kennel name, the dog would need to have the same registered ownership with The Royal Kennel Club as the kennel name. Complete the online form to attach your kennel name to the name of any dog(s) (form 8).
My dog has no registration papers but is a pedigree dog. Can I register my dog with The Royal Kennel Club?
Yes, you can register your dog with The Royal Kennel Club on the Activity Register.
If you want your dog to be on the Breed Register, you need to discuss it with the breeder as they are the only person who can apply for this - please note that for the dog to be eligible to be added, both of its parents must be registered on our Breed Register.