AKC Parent Club Breeder Referral

Why it is listed

Start here when you want parent-club humans, not marketplace ads. AKC’s own referral page says contacts may not be breeders and that AKC does not endorse kennels — then do the health-test and visit work yourself.

Pros & cons

Pros

• akc.org/akc-breeder-referral-contacts 2026-09-07: AKC recommends beginning with the Parent Club. Page lists parent club, breeder referral contact, and links to club sites / breeder directories when available, breed by breed.
• Clear process honesty: referral contacts are appointed by clubs to provide referral services only and may not be breeders themselves; respect time zones; they are volunteers, not an office.
• Pairs with AKC FAQ step-by-step (ready for a dog → breed fit → responsible breeder tips → national club referral → Marketplace). Explicit non-endorse language on the referral page and FAQ.

Cons

• Not a litter marketplace and not a screened standards directory — it is a phone/email referral directory. No health-testing tiers or litter photos on the AKC referral page itself.
• Safety score stays low by design: AKC states it does not endorse or recommend specific breeders; volunteers point you onward. You still must evaluate each kennel.
• Response times vary (shows, vacations). Follow up via parent club websites. A referral contact is not a veterinary exam.

Score breakdown