REGISTRATION & RECOGNITION
Border Collies in Canada
I am writing this page to clear up some false information that has been circulated in regards to our wonderful breed in Canada.
Border Collies ARE a recognized purebred breed in Canada. However in Canada we have a FEDERAL LAW called the Animal Pedigree Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. 8 (4th Supp.) which is an Act respecting animal pedigree associations. You can read the act in full HERE! This act is actually wonderful in that it prevents fake and false registries of "purebred" or "designer" breed dogs such as the "doodle breeds" which are NOT an actual breed. In other countries there can be an unlimited number of fake or non-reputable associations willing to issue you "papers" for your dog but they will issue them to any dog... you tell them the breed pay them money and they send you a piece of paper WORTH NOTHING except the cost of the paper and ink! An example of a "fake" registry is the Continental Kennel Club in the USA. This act in Canada, preserves the purebred breeds of Animals in Canada and only allows ONE reputable registry per breed, not just dogs, but cats, cows, sheep anything with"purebred" status! How great is that in the scheme of things!?!? This benefits 99.9% of purebred animals in Canada, however it does not the Border Collie...
Because of this act, we are allowed only ONE registration body in Canada for each breed. The CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) holds the registration for 99% of all purebred dogs in Canada. For those breeds, a dog cannot be sold as or advertised as a purebred UNLESS they have CKC registration papers to prove it. Furthermore a purebred in Canada that is registered must be implanted with either an ISO microchip, or tattoo series issued by the registration body before leaving the breeders home. This insures correct records and less chance of faking papers, or confusing one dog with another in the future.
The Federal Pedigree Act requires the registering bodies for each breed to uphold high standards when accepting registration of an animal. Any dog brought into Canada (Imported) are held to these standards as well and must be ISO microchiped, DNA profiled if also AKC reg, and be accompanied by registration papers from the reputable registration body from it's country of origin. United States -AKC or ABCA, Europe- FCI, Australia-ANKC, Britan-KC etc. So as you can see you cannot just register any old dog, it must come from generations upon generations of dogs with papers from reputable bodies to prove it's purebred status for hundreds of years. This is why registration papers are important to prove you are getting what you are paying for. NEVER, NEVER pay for a dog with no papers when the breeders say "both parents are papered but we didn't paper the pups" or "the mom has papers but the dad doesn't but the pups are still purebred". These dogs are NOT purebred and it is a federal law that they cannot state such, or sell a dog as such without papers. They BY LAW need to send you papers within 6 months of purchase if they have sold you what they stated was a "PUREBRED BORDER COLLIE"!!!
Now...back to the fact that the Border Collie is a recognized PUREBRED dog in Canada. BUT there is a catch! :( The registration body of the Border Collie in Canada is the CBCA (Canadian Border Collie Association). Most breeds of dogs in Canada started out the same way, each with their own registry. So there was a Golden Retriever registry and Labrador registry a Yorkshire Terrier Registry and then they all eventually handed over the registry (stud books) over to the CKC. The CKC not only holds registrations, pedigrees, records but they maintain the highest standard of registration as well as do much research into health and education of purebred REPUTABLE breeders. It makes sense to hand all the breeds over to one main registry to maintain the records to the highest standard, as well as keep each breed organized. They maintain Breed Standards for each breed, which were written by the original inventors of each breed and are being preserved for hundreds of years!!! The CKC help to organize and run many events for purebred dogs in Canada, they encourage Conformation, Agility, HERDING, Obedience, Rally, Tracking, Hunt Trials, Barn Hunt and MANY OTHER events in Canada for purebred dogs to compete in. The CKC has an alliance with other reputable kennel clubs around the globe to allow for imports and exports to be registered, and for papers to be moved from club to club between the reputable kennel clubs of each country. This allows for greater variation in gene pools, and the opportunity to share lines between breeders on a global level so that lines can be shared and improved upon.
The problem we have in Canada is that the CBCA REFUSES to hand the Border Collie registration (stud books) over to the CKC. The CBCA is under the idea that if they do that Border Collie will be bred for the show ring only. This is FALSE as each breeder is free to breed for whatever traits they want to breed for. There is NO law requiring anyone to compete in any of the events that the CKC offers. They are ONLY A REGISTRATION BODY, same as a car registration body. You pay a fee and register, they don't tell you what you can do with your car... or where you can take it...or who can be in it!!! They only keep records and maintain them to the standards of the Animal Pedigree Act. The CBCA issues two types of "pedigree levels". Level A is for dogs who are from working register parents who are also Level A pedigreed. Level B is issued to any dog that has ever walking in a show ring, or any dog born from a dog who has show line parents, or any dog who was a Level A and then the owner showed it...or even any dogs from Australian lines. Even if a dog was born a Level A and won numerous herding trials, if they walk into the ring they make that dog a Level B. Walking in a ring does not take away a dogs herding instinct. The CBCA is trying to control owners and what they do with their dogs...
We DO NOT agree with the ideals of the CBCA- Canadian Border Collie Association. We refuse to be controlled and forced to do with our dogs what they dictate to us. They do not own our dogs, nor pay our vet and food costs, nor give us any respect in any way or provide us with any events to enter, and thus we refuse to have anything to do with the CBCA, if at all possible. We will not give them a cent of our money for their registration fees nor show them any support in their endevours. The CBCA is notorious for registering multiple litters from "breeders" who do not health test, nor care about the breed... but because they don't show they are shown respect even though many are "back yard breeders" or "puppy mills". We will not stand by a registration body such as that. We want to be able to compete in ALL venues with our dogs.
Lucky for us, and for many other reputable breeders and Border Collie owners and fanciers in Canada, we found a way to still enjoy our dogs, regardless of the CBCA. The AKC (American Kennel Club) in the USA has made an exception for Border Collie breeders in Canada to register our litters with them. The AKC is the equivalent to the CKC in Canada. They are a reputable registry being in existence since 1884. Normally they do not register litters born in any other country aside from the USA but they have made an exception for Canadian Bred Border Collies. So therefore the Border Collie fancy in Canada has a reputable registry to register their dogs with.
WANT TO SHOW A BORDER COLLIE IN CANADA?
How do we show dogs in Canada might you ask!? The CKC issues what is called a MCN (miscellaneous certificate number) participation number that allows dogs to be shown at CKC events. Please note, a dog with ONLY a CKC MCN, is NOT REGISTERED and NOT CONSIDERED "Purebred"! Your dog must have AKC and/or CBCA purebred papers from the breeder, first and foremost!!!
If you are interested in showing your dog in Canada in CKC events and join in the fun, it is very possible as long as your dog has registration papers and certified pedigree from a reputable registry. Your dog must be implanted with an ISO Internationally approved microchip. Most vets offer it, you must ask for an INTERNATIONAL "ISO Chip", or contact the CKC to purchase one.
Reputable Registries:
AKC = American Kennel Club
CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
MCN = Miscellaneous Certificate Number (CKC Number) *THIS IS NOT REGISTRATION*
ABCA = American Border Collie Association
CBCA = Canadian Border Collie Association
ANKC = Australia National Kennel Club
KC = The Kennel Club (UK)
FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
CKU = Chinese Kennel Union
Non-Reputable/Fake/Scammer Registries:
The following registries issue "papers" for a fee but such papers are worthless and are issued to any dog or pup who's owners or sellers pay them a fee and fill out a form. They will even issue papers to crossbred dogs as long as a person pays a fee and claims it is one breed. No certified pedigree, microchip nor DNA is needed to issue papers to a dog from these scammers. Scammers put these fake papers on dogs to then be able to claim they are "registered" so that they can charge you more money for a dog. BEWARE! These registries are NEVER based in Canada since that is against Canadian Federal laws, they are based in the USA mainly, but will issue papers to Canadian born dogs.
CKC = Continental Kennel Club, WWDR = World Wide Dog Registry, PPRC = Pedigree Pets Registration Club,
If you imported the dog from outside the USA or have a dog who has ABCA or CBCA registration and plan to breed/show the dog later, you need to apply for AKC registration so that you can register the pups with the AKC later and apply for a CKC MCN. Use the Foreign Dog Registration Application. Along with this form, you must send the AKC front and side pictures of your dog, you need the dog to have an ISO microchip BEFORE they leave their country of birth, and you need to send the AKC a cheek swab of DNA for a DNA profile along with the application.
To register a litter born in Canada, with the AKC, you must fill out an AKC Litter Registration Application.
Firstly, to show in Canada (Canadian resident) and not pay astronomical fees you must fill out a CKC Membership Application and be a CKC Member.
If both of your dogs parents have a CKC MSC Number you need to contact the CKC for the correct form to fill out or your dogs breeder, as this form requires your dogs breeders signature. Please not if you buy a CBCA reg dog many of those breeders will not let you get a MSC number on your dogs so if you are really keen on competing in CKC events purchase a dog with AKC registration or from a breeder that agrees to sign your CKC MSC papers prior to paying for the puppy!
We personally apply for CKC MSC Numbers for our entire litters to save our puppy owners the hassle.
If you live in the USA and want to come and show your dog in Canada this is the form you will need. Your dog will also still need to be implanted with a ISO Microchip prior to showing here. www.ckc.ca/en/Files/Forms/Membership-Services/Registrations/Application-for-Registration-of-AKC-Registered-Dog
Border Collies ARE a recognized purebred breed in Canada. However in Canada we have a FEDERAL LAW called the Animal Pedigree Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. 8 (4th Supp.) which is an Act respecting animal pedigree associations. You can read the act in full HERE! This act is actually wonderful in that it prevents fake and false registries of "purebred" or "designer" breed dogs such as the "doodle breeds" which are NOT an actual breed. In other countries there can be an unlimited number of fake or non-reputable associations willing to issue you "papers" for your dog but they will issue them to any dog... you tell them the breed pay them money and they send you a piece of paper WORTH NOTHING except the cost of the paper and ink! An example of a "fake" registry is the Continental Kennel Club in the USA. This act in Canada, preserves the purebred breeds of Animals in Canada and only allows ONE reputable registry per breed, not just dogs, but cats, cows, sheep anything with"purebred" status! How great is that in the scheme of things!?!? This benefits 99.9% of purebred animals in Canada, however it does not the Border Collie...
Because of this act, we are allowed only ONE registration body in Canada for each breed. The CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) holds the registration for 99% of all purebred dogs in Canada. For those breeds, a dog cannot be sold as or advertised as a purebred UNLESS they have CKC registration papers to prove it. Furthermore a purebred in Canada that is registered must be implanted with either an ISO microchip, or tattoo series issued by the registration body before leaving the breeders home. This insures correct records and less chance of faking papers, or confusing one dog with another in the future.
The Federal Pedigree Act requires the registering bodies for each breed to uphold high standards when accepting registration of an animal. Any dog brought into Canada (Imported) are held to these standards as well and must be ISO microchiped, DNA profiled if also AKC reg, and be accompanied by registration papers from the reputable registration body from it's country of origin. United States -AKC or ABCA, Europe- FCI, Australia-ANKC, Britan-KC etc. So as you can see you cannot just register any old dog, it must come from generations upon generations of dogs with papers from reputable bodies to prove it's purebred status for hundreds of years. This is why registration papers are important to prove you are getting what you are paying for. NEVER, NEVER pay for a dog with no papers when the breeders say "both parents are papered but we didn't paper the pups" or "the mom has papers but the dad doesn't but the pups are still purebred". These dogs are NOT purebred and it is a federal law that they cannot state such, or sell a dog as such without papers. They BY LAW need to send you papers within 6 months of purchase if they have sold you what they stated was a "PUREBRED BORDER COLLIE"!!!
Now...back to the fact that the Border Collie is a recognized PUREBRED dog in Canada. BUT there is a catch! :( The registration body of the Border Collie in Canada is the CBCA (Canadian Border Collie Association). Most breeds of dogs in Canada started out the same way, each with their own registry. So there was a Golden Retriever registry and Labrador registry a Yorkshire Terrier Registry and then they all eventually handed over the registry (stud books) over to the CKC. The CKC not only holds registrations, pedigrees, records but they maintain the highest standard of registration as well as do much research into health and education of purebred REPUTABLE breeders. It makes sense to hand all the breeds over to one main registry to maintain the records to the highest standard, as well as keep each breed organized. They maintain Breed Standards for each breed, which were written by the original inventors of each breed and are being preserved for hundreds of years!!! The CKC help to organize and run many events for purebred dogs in Canada, they encourage Conformation, Agility, HERDING, Obedience, Rally, Tracking, Hunt Trials, Barn Hunt and MANY OTHER events in Canada for purebred dogs to compete in. The CKC has an alliance with other reputable kennel clubs around the globe to allow for imports and exports to be registered, and for papers to be moved from club to club between the reputable kennel clubs of each country. This allows for greater variation in gene pools, and the opportunity to share lines between breeders on a global level so that lines can be shared and improved upon.
The problem we have in Canada is that the CBCA REFUSES to hand the Border Collie registration (stud books) over to the CKC. The CBCA is under the idea that if they do that Border Collie will be bred for the show ring only. This is FALSE as each breeder is free to breed for whatever traits they want to breed for. There is NO law requiring anyone to compete in any of the events that the CKC offers. They are ONLY A REGISTRATION BODY, same as a car registration body. You pay a fee and register, they don't tell you what you can do with your car... or where you can take it...or who can be in it!!! They only keep records and maintain them to the standards of the Animal Pedigree Act. The CBCA issues two types of "pedigree levels". Level A is for dogs who are from working register parents who are also Level A pedigreed. Level B is issued to any dog that has ever walking in a show ring, or any dog born from a dog who has show line parents, or any dog who was a Level A and then the owner showed it...or even any dogs from Australian lines. Even if a dog was born a Level A and won numerous herding trials, if they walk into the ring they make that dog a Level B. Walking in a ring does not take away a dogs herding instinct. The CBCA is trying to control owners and what they do with their dogs...
We DO NOT agree with the ideals of the CBCA- Canadian Border Collie Association. We refuse to be controlled and forced to do with our dogs what they dictate to us. They do not own our dogs, nor pay our vet and food costs, nor give us any respect in any way or provide us with any events to enter, and thus we refuse to have anything to do with the CBCA, if at all possible. We will not give them a cent of our money for their registration fees nor show them any support in their endevours. The CBCA is notorious for registering multiple litters from "breeders" who do not health test, nor care about the breed... but because they don't show they are shown respect even though many are "back yard breeders" or "puppy mills". We will not stand by a registration body such as that. We want to be able to compete in ALL venues with our dogs.
Lucky for us, and for many other reputable breeders and Border Collie owners and fanciers in Canada, we found a way to still enjoy our dogs, regardless of the CBCA. The AKC (American Kennel Club) in the USA has made an exception for Border Collie breeders in Canada to register our litters with them. The AKC is the equivalent to the CKC in Canada. They are a reputable registry being in existence since 1884. Normally they do not register litters born in any other country aside from the USA but they have made an exception for Canadian Bred Border Collies. So therefore the Border Collie fancy in Canada has a reputable registry to register their dogs with.
WANT TO SHOW A BORDER COLLIE IN CANADA?
How do we show dogs in Canada might you ask!? The CKC issues what is called a MCN (miscellaneous certificate number) participation number that allows dogs to be shown at CKC events. Please note, a dog with ONLY a CKC MCN, is NOT REGISTERED and NOT CONSIDERED "Purebred"! Your dog must have AKC and/or CBCA purebred papers from the breeder, first and foremost!!!
If you are interested in showing your dog in Canada in CKC events and join in the fun, it is very possible as long as your dog has registration papers and certified pedigree from a reputable registry. Your dog must be implanted with an ISO Internationally approved microchip. Most vets offer it, you must ask for an INTERNATIONAL "ISO Chip", or contact the CKC to purchase one.
Reputable Registries:
AKC = American Kennel Club
CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
MCN = Miscellaneous Certificate Number (CKC Number) *THIS IS NOT REGISTRATION*
ABCA = American Border Collie Association
CBCA = Canadian Border Collie Association
ANKC = Australia National Kennel Club
KC = The Kennel Club (UK)
FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
CKU = Chinese Kennel Union
Non-Reputable/Fake/Scammer Registries:
The following registries issue "papers" for a fee but such papers are worthless and are issued to any dog or pup who's owners or sellers pay them a fee and fill out a form. They will even issue papers to crossbred dogs as long as a person pays a fee and claims it is one breed. No certified pedigree, microchip nor DNA is needed to issue papers to a dog from these scammers. Scammers put these fake papers on dogs to then be able to claim they are "registered" so that they can charge you more money for a dog. BEWARE! These registries are NEVER based in Canada since that is against Canadian Federal laws, they are based in the USA mainly, but will issue papers to Canadian born dogs.
CKC = Continental Kennel Club, WWDR = World Wide Dog Registry, PPRC = Pedigree Pets Registration Club,
If you imported the dog from outside the USA or have a dog who has ABCA or CBCA registration and plan to breed/show the dog later, you need to apply for AKC registration so that you can register the pups with the AKC later and apply for a CKC MCN. Use the Foreign Dog Registration Application. Along with this form, you must send the AKC front and side pictures of your dog, you need the dog to have an ISO microchip BEFORE they leave their country of birth, and you need to send the AKC a cheek swab of DNA for a DNA profile along with the application.
To register a litter born in Canada, with the AKC, you must fill out an AKC Litter Registration Application.
Firstly, to show in Canada (Canadian resident) and not pay astronomical fees you must fill out a CKC Membership Application and be a CKC Member.
If both of your dogs parents have a CKC MSC Number you need to contact the CKC for the correct form to fill out or your dogs breeder, as this form requires your dogs breeders signature. Please not if you buy a CBCA reg dog many of those breeders will not let you get a MSC number on your dogs so if you are really keen on competing in CKC events purchase a dog with AKC registration or from a breeder that agrees to sign your CKC MSC papers prior to paying for the puppy!
We personally apply for CKC MSC Numbers for our entire litters to save our puppy owners the hassle.
If you live in the USA and want to come and show your dog in Canada this is the form you will need. Your dog will also still need to be implanted with a ISO Microchip prior to showing here. www.ckc.ca/en/Files/Forms/Membership-Services/Registrations/Application-for-Registration-of-AKC-Registered-Dog
