If your dog is registered with an overseas kennel club but living in the United Kingdom, you can apply to import it, whereas owners of UK-registered dogs moving overseas can apply for an export.
Those who sell or purchase a dog overseas can apply to import it from, or export it to, another kennel club.
Information on applying for an authority to compete (ATC) number (UK)
Owners that reside overseas and who wish to compete in any discipline in the UK must apply for an authority to compete (ATC) registration number for each dog, which will be valid for its entire life.
This ATC number must be used on all entry forms, and will include a reference to the dog's country of origin. Applications can be made by filling out an application for an authority to compete (ATC) number (form 14).
Dogs residing overseas cannot be fully imported and you must instead apply for an ATC. If your dog lives in the Republic of Ireland or the Channel Islands, please refer to the information below.
If the dog resides in the UK, it cannot receive an ATC number and must instead undergo a full import. Details on how to do this can be found below.
Information on applying for an authority to compete (ATC) number (Ireland and the Channel Islands)
If your dog is registered with either the Irish Kennel Club, Guernsey Kennel Club or Kennel Club of Jersey, and is residing in the United Kingdom, you can apply for an import with an application for the registration of an imported dog (form 4).
If you are continuing to reside in the dog’s registered country, but are applying to import to the UK for competition or exhibition purposes, there are two methods by which you can do this:
- Application for the registration of an imported dog (form 4): This application must be submitted with copies of the owner’s registration certificate and either the dog’s Three or Five Generation Pedigree*. The costs for the application are £33 and £43 respectively and the dog’s import will be marked for competition only. The benefit of using this method is that if you immigrate to the UK at a later date, and the dog is fully imported, you will not have to pay the import fee a second time
- Application for an authority to compete (ATC) number (form 14): An application for an ATC number costs £33. However, if you later immigrate to the UK, and the dog is fully imported, you will be required to complete a form 4 and pay the importation fee
Dogs can only be fully imported if they reside in the UK. Conversely, dogs residing in the UK cannot receive an ATC number or be recorded for exhibition-only.
*Please note that if you can only supply a pedigree with four generations, you have the following options:
- Select a Three Generation Pedigree, with all four generations recorded on The Kennel Club’s system, but only three printed on the certificate
- Select a Five Generation Pedigree, with four generations recorded and printed, but the fifth column on the certificate being left incomplete
Importing dogs to the UK
Your dog needs to be registered with an appropriate overseas kennel club and also must be in the ownership of the applicant, who must reside in the United Kingdom.
The Kennel Club will normally only accept registration for dogs from overseas countries when the following applies:
- The breed is recognised by The Kennel Club
- The Kennel Club has a reciprocal agreement with overseas kennel clubs that have full membership, associate membership or contract partnership of the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale)
- The owner and the dog are resident at an address in the United Kingdom
How to apply
Apply online
Please complete an application for the registration of an imported dog (form 4).
Re importing your dog?
If you are re-importing your dog, please apply for the re-importation of a dog (form 17).
Re-importation application fees are £12 (with no changes to previously held information) or £15 (with additional information).
Importing your dog - frequently asked questions
How do I register my imported dog?
To import a dog, a photocopy of a certified Export Pedigree should be sent with the application. If the dog is coming from a country that does not issue Export Pedigrees, a Three Generation Pedigree certificate is sufficient.
If the export pedigree or the Three Generation Pedigree certificate does not show the current registered owner, a copy of the Owner Registration Certificate issued by the overseas kennel club needs to be submitted as well, showing the current owner. When completing the form 4, the date of import into the UK or date of quarantine entry needs to be completed.
Dogs from Germany
For a dog coming from Germany, an owner needs to submit a photocopy of the Ahnentafel issued by the breed club accompanied by the Annerkennung Fur Das Ausland (export document issued by the Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen).
Do I need to send in the original pedigree/certificate from the overseas kennel club?
No, we do not require the original certificates to be submitted. Please help us avoid delays by ensuring any copies you send are clear.
Can I enter any competitions while my import application is being processed?
If at the closing date for entries, you have applied for but not received The Kennel Club's document, the dog can be entered and the name should be followed by the letters 'NAF' (name applied for).
I am importing a bitch in whelp. How do I register the litter?
Bitches imported in whelp should be registered with The Kennel Club if the bitch is remaining in the UK. The litter may then be registered by completing the online litter registration form (form 1) or download and complete the PDF version accompanied by a certified Three Generation Pedigree issued by the country of origin for the sire.
If the bitch is returned to the country of origin without leaving quarantine after whelping, then it does not need to be registered with The Kennel Club. The litter registration form should be accompanied by certified Three Generation Pedigrees of both dam and sire from the country of origin.
I own a kennel name. Can I add to the name of the dog I am importing?
An addition of a kennel name can be incorporated at the time of registration free of charge, as long as the kennel name and person importing the dog are of the same ownership. To add, please include the link word (if required) and kennel name on the dog name section in the application for the registration of an imported dog (form 4).
My dog is owned in partnership. Do all owners need to sign the application?
Yes, if the dog is owned in partnership, the applicant needs to confirm on the application for the registration of an imported dog (form 4) that all parties are in agreement.
Do you record more than three generations when importing a dog?
We would normally only record three generations of a dog when importing, although we would record up to five generations of a pedigree, providing the overseas kennel club pedigree contains this information. To request this, select this option on the application form.
My dog has won international titles. Can these be recorded?
The Kennel Club will only record a title won at a national show from the country of origin. Please submit a copy of the award with the application.
How long does it take for the import to be processed?
As a guide please allow 28 days for the processing of the import application. Processing may be delayed is applications are incomplete, difficult to read or if more information is required about the date of import.
How do I re-import a dog which has previously been exported?
To re-import a dog from an overseas kennel club, please apply online for the re-importation of a dog/bitch (form 17).
Also include the following:
- original Export Pedigree, if available
- copy of the owner registration document, issued by the overseas kennel club, confirming the ownership of the dog in the UK
Exporting dogs from the UK
The Kennel Club has an agreement with most overseas kennel clubs and any members of the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) that they will register a dog as an imported dog, providing we issue an Export Pedigree.
Dogs being registered to the Irish Kennel Club, Kennel Club of Jersey or Guernsey Kennel Club do not require an Export Pedigree, as a certified Three Generation Pedigree is required.
To apply for an Export Pedigree, the dog would need to be in the registered ownership of the new owner.
How to apply
Apply online
Please complete an application for an Export Pedigree (form 13) either online or download the pdf version.
Re-importing your dog?
If you are re-importing your dog, please apply online for the re-importation of a dog (form 17).
Re-importation application fees are £12 (with no changes to previously held information) or £15 (with additional information).
Exporting your dog - frequently asked questions
How do I register my Kennel Club registered dog with an overseas kennel club?
The majority of overseas clubs with which The Kennel Club has a reciprocal agreement require a certified Three Generation Export Pedigree and Ownership Certificate. We recommend checking with the relevant overseas kennel club to find out their requirements to import a dog.
To apply for an Export Pedigree, please complete form 13 online or download the pdf version.
Who can apply for an Export Pedigree?
The Export Pedigree may be applied for by the registered owner or breeder.
Is an Export Pedigree required to take any dog overseas?
An Export Pedigree is not required to allow a dog to leave the United Kingdom. It would be advisable to contact Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) for advice on taking your dog overseas as well as referring to the rules of the country you are travelling to.
Do I need an Export Pedigree to register my dog with the Irish Kennel Club / Kennel Club of Jersey or the Guernsey Kennel Club?
No, to register your dog with any of these kennel clubs you do not require an Export Pedigree. However, you do need to provide the overseas kennel club with a copy of the certified Three Generation Pedigree and Owner Registration Certificate.
My dog has an 'endorsement X - not eligible for Export Pedigree'. Can I apply?
No, if your dog has 'endorsement X' on their record, you would need to contact the person who placed the endorsement to request its removal. Once removed, you can apply for the Export Pedigree.
How do I record my male dog as entire?
The certification of a male dog section would need to be signed by a veterinary surgeon to confirm that both testicles are fully descended in the scrotum and are apparently normal.
If the application is not signed, the export pedigree would be annotated to show the dog has not been certified entire.
How long does it take for the Export Pedigree to be issued?
As a guide please allow 28 days for the processing of the export application. To avoid delays in processing, please ensure applications are complete, that the dog is in the correct ownership and that endorsements on the dog record are resolved.