• American Kennel Club (AKC)

American Kennel Club (AKC)

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Overview

American Kennel Club (AKC) has a rating of 2.88 stars from 98 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about American Kennel Club (AKC) most frequently mention customer service problems. American Kennel Club (AKC) ranks 8th among Dog Breeding sites.

  • Service
    15
  • Value
    13
  • Shipping
    7
  • Returns
    6
  • Quality
    13
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 0%
Positive
0
Neutral
0
Negative
7
6
See all photos

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

  • The American Kennel Club maintains the breed registry for dogs in the U.S.

Critical highlights

  • Orestes Rios took my deposit and was dishonest about when he was breeding his dogs and when I would receive my puppy.
  • We paid 500.00 to do a DNA investigation on a breeder who put the wrong sire on a litter.
How would you rate American Kennel Club (AKC)?
Top Positive Review

“The truth about AKC”

Shannon M.
12/5/19

Thank you for shedding a little light on the AKC. They slander, defame breeders who question them and have illegal practices which go untouched

Top Critical Review

“Complaint on covered bridge Saint Bernard”

Bella C.
11/17/23

Covered Bridge Saint Bernard, Jena&Matt I want to share my deeply disappointing experience with this breeder. Despite signing a contract and eagerly awaiting my puppy, the breeder abruptly reneged on the sale, which not only caused inconvenience but also raises ethical concerns. This sudden change of heart is not only unprofessional but morally wrong as it impacts both the emotional well-being of the buyer and the welfare of the puppy involved. Breeder lacks professionalism as well as commitment. Prospective buyers should be cautious when considering this breeder. I was also speaking with the transporter as well, he told me he was doing great with time and might be arriving earlier than anticipated. She did refunded my money back, but all the money I spend out of pocket for the arrival of the puppy was not. Who does this 8 hours before the puppy was suppose to be deliveredI also want to add that she quoted me $3000 and on good dog her price is advertised at $2500.!

Reviews (98)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

american kennel club (5) dogs (12) breeder (20)
Thumbnail of user jpcnyc1
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 11th, 2024

Unlike in EU dogs most have something special in order to breed them not only health but most excel at some type of work unlike akc or they care about is the fee nothing else is a joke!.

Dont fall for US breeders as most breed for money not quality, you are buying sa product not a living animal.

Tip for consumers:
Not a reliable place to register any dog as musty US breeders are garbage producing pet quality animals with hip, joins and other health issues SAD for the dogs.

Products used:
This organization is a joke as people can send any papers stating that is the dog they mated and at times it is not. But buyers say “OH< ITS A PURE_BREED AS IT HAS FAKE PAPERS” LOL!!!!

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user bellac122
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
November 17th, 2023

Covered Bridge Saint Bernard, Jena&Matt
I want to share my deeply disappointing experience with this breeder. Despite signing a contract and eagerly awaiting my puppy, the breeder abruptly reneged on the sale, which not only caused inconvenience but also raises ethical concerns. This sudden change of heart is not only unprofessional but morally wrong as it impacts both the emotional well-being of the buyer and the welfare of the puppy involved. Breeder lacks professionalism as well as commitment. Prospective buyers should be cautious when considering this breeder. I was also speaking with the transporter as well, he told me he was doing great with time and might be arriving earlier than anticipated. She did refunded my money back, but all the money I spend out of pocket for the arrival of the puppy was not. Who does this 8 hours before the puppy was suppose to be deliveredI also want to add that she quoted me $3000 and on good dog her price is advertised at $2500.!

Tip for consumers:
No

Products used:
Nothing

Service
Value
Returns
Thumbnail of user debbies1434
1 review
1 helpful vote
February 11th, 2023

Bought my dog an American Kennel Club, hard plastic tug of war, squeaky toy. I gave it to him, I saw him shaking his head back and forth which of course I thought he was playing with it and then I realized it was stuck in his mouth and under his chin! Absolutely worse toy I've ever bought! Will never buy from this company again!

Quality
Thumbnail of user elvagej1
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 19th, 2023

I recently bought a pup whom I foolishly took home without the paperwork. I trusted Top Dogg Giant Schnauzers. 2 months later after asking I get the paperwork. To my surprise the AKC Litter Certificates says my pups parents AND the grandparents were brother and sister from same litter. Upon contacting AKC they said they do not have a policy on "inbreeding" they leave that up to the discretion of the breeders. Really! Doesn't that increase the chances of the pups from such a litter being genetic cesspools? Buy a pup from a breeder that has a "Genetic" and "Health" guarantee.

Tip for consumers:
AKC doesn’t mean quality as far as the dog is concerned. Any Litter or Dog can be registered.

Products used:
AKC registered puppy litter

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user lorib1276
1 review
4 helpful votes
October 27th, 2022

AKC single-handedly to blame for puppy millers, abused breeding dogs; the breeders ARE the AKC's customers; when production drops, they send out employees to help get numbers back up; disgusting.

Thumbnail of user richl13
25 reviews
43 helpful votes
December 19th, 2019

When there are not many registration data bases that have their type of selection. They go way back but garbage in, garbage out!

Thumbnail of user cassandral255
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 15th, 2023

I chose an AKC registered breeder because I thought they had to qualify as far as health goes, but I was wrong. I bought a puppy from Schnauzer Heaven Von Longbach aka Tricia Stevenson. I thought the AKC made breeders test for the genetic eye condition that plagues the schnauzer breed. Schnauzer Heaven does not do that test. I also thought the AKC would assure a breeder doesn't sell dogs with birth, or genetic, defects. When we brought our puppy home from Schnauzer Heaven, we immediately noticed behavior that indicated a neurological problem. When we took her for walks, she would cry like it was hurting her, then after a short distance she would sit down and not move. She can't jump up into our laps. We lowered our bed and built a ramp for her. She has sphincter incontinence. And her activity level/energy meter is way different than other dogs. When you pay 2,800.00 (plus) for a dog, you expect to get a healthy dog. Unfortunately, we did not get a healthy dog. Now we have years of hardship and vet medical bills. We are so depressed and angry about this, and we will never trust the AKC again. From now on, we will go to a rescue.

Thumbnail of user kimw1078
2 reviews
20 helpful votes
March 2nd, 2022

After being scammed out of a lot of money from a Breeder named Summer Berlinger who never produced a puppy, I contacted the AKC to let them know that she refused to refund my money even after the contract became null and void. They seemed totally uninterested, and told me to beware and do my investigating before giving money to a breeder, but she is one of their customer/breeders! Even the police said they really couldn't go after her since a contract was involved. Thousands of people get puppy scammed each year, and this breeder in Las Vegas should be shut down. I'm not sure there ever was a puppy when she took my money. She's crafty and evil, and the AKC should do more.

Tip for consumers:
They don't have the buyers back at all.

Products used:
none

Service
Thumbnail of user harmonyj4
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 4th, 2022
Verified purchase

I bought a microchip tag from them after registering my dog and after just two weeks it's chipped and faded. This is the AKC. Surely they can afford to have decent quality tags. You're better off buying an engraved tag (for cheaper) with the microchip ID instead.

Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user shannonm330
1 review
5 helpful votes
December 5th, 2019

Thank you for shedding a little light on the AKC. They slander, defame breeders who question them and have illegal practices which go untouched

Thumbnail of user vickib606
1 review
1 helpful vote
September 15th, 2022

You think because you find your dog on the AKC website you're not getting a dog from a puppy mill? Think again. I called spoke to Pam whom was very rude, and was told point blank" puppy mills can post and sell on out AKC site. The puppies can be sickly, have fleas and worms. Not our problem, we only take care of the registration ". Disgusting

Tip for consumers:
Don’t use this site

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user alyssan21
1 review
11 helpful votes
November 6th, 2019

I love this site and the AKC in general they are amazing. You can find breeders, products, research breeds, etc.

Thumbnail of user corinnh1
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 2nd, 2021

I ordered pet candles from their store in August, now November and after 5 contact attempts still no candles or refund. I was on hold for over 45 minutes on the phone and gave up, so sent yet another email. Very unprofessional and am out over $80 :(

Products used:
Never received the product.

Service
Shipping
Thumbnail of user mikew1767
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 22nd, 2021

Sent my dogs registration info in September 2021. They needed some info from the breeder. No problem. Sent it off. It's now December. I have no papers. They did, however, send me an email wanting me to buy their products, and listed my dogs registration name wrong and refuse to change it. Funny, they had no problem cashing my check the moment they received it 3 months ago. I'll stick with showing my dogs in other venues from now on.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user christianb42
3 reviews
3 helpful votes
May 11th, 2015

I volunteered for their summer internship program, it was the best time I ever had. Enjoyed being a dog walker.

Thumbnail of user masoudk5
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 25th, 2023

If you buy packages from other hospital or Vet they won't pay for those vaccine or any service that you already pre paid by those heqlth packages. This insurance is a huge scam. Don't buy it.

Thumbnail of user desireeb140
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 5th, 2022

Ordered some items from their online store. Fedex lost the package & AKC made it utterlly impossible to get a hold of them. So I never received the stuff I paid for.

Service
Shipping
Returns
Thumbnail of user davidm434
5 reviews
17 helpful votes
April 21st, 2016

There are many great aspects to the AKC. You can create an account. If you have registered dog you can add the dog via the registration number. If your into conformation showing you have all the info you need at your fingertips. Also if your looking for breeders of merit or just reputable puppies there is a good database for that as well.

Tip for consumers:
Start an account if you have registered AKC dog!

Quality
Thumbnail of user robind703
1 review
1 helpful vote
January 16th, 2023

I have emailed several requests to the AKC Fit Dog address. Two for Turkey Trot medals and one for Fit Dog checklist for instructors. I have had no responsive from AKC. Please respond to my emails. Thank you.

Thumbnail of user lindam4565
1 review
0 helpful votes
August 8th, 2022
Verified purchase

I just purchased a stuffing free dinosaur dog toy, my dog consumes the stuffing and chokes so I thought it would be great. But I watched him rip it open and it was completely filled with stuffing

Thumbnail of user tatintopes831
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 1st, 2023

No one answers the emails on time
I had a claim no one addressed
They have no CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER

PLEASE DO NOT TRUST

Thumbnail of user ayoubl24
1 review
2 helpful votes
September 10th, 2022

I have been scammed purchasing a cane corso i contacted akc i told them thaat my dog look more like lab then cane corso they did not suport me what so ever

Thumbnail of user christiant54
1 review
32 helpful votes
June 25th, 2019

This is the worst company I have called multiple time to inform them I never received my puppies registration papers in the mail. They took 300 dollars from me and can't give me what I paid for. Also they lied to me and told me they would express ship it in 30 days do to the inconvenience still it has never showed up. So since It seem like they can't follow through I will follow through on trying to sue this company!

Thumbnail of user lesleez2
1 review
1 helpful vote
December 21st, 2020

I was told when I purchased my akc certified dog that I received 30 days of insurance and a free wellness checkup for my dog. I called them to find out where I should take him and than did so. $149 later and zero reimbursement I feel extremely cheated. Not to mention I paid akc for some sort of crap. Take your dog where you want. ( If he/she even needs it). Basically they told us he was healthy. Which we already knew.

Thumbnail of user judyc62
14 reviews
88 helpful votes
November 24th, 2016

I am a breeder, I have been registering my litters with American Kennel Club since 1990. I have never had the issue of extended wait times that some of the other reviews mentioned. Nor have I ever had anyone be rude to me. I have had them switch me between several people getting me to the correct department.

PROS: For me it is the fact that I know I can guarantee the bloodline of my pets because the dogs are now DNA tested. As a buyer you will never have to worry that you were sold a puppy that was not a product of the sire stated on his papers.

CONS: The only real complaint I can think of is the cost, you have to register the litter PLUS each individual each puppy in the litter... then the new owner has to pay an additional fee to have the puppy registered in their name. To me that seems a lot like "double-dipping".
I am glad I raise Chihuahuas (2 to 4 babies per litter). I can't imagine the financial burden of having to register a litter of 14 Great Dane puppies.

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