For forms and information on registering your Rat Terrier with AKC's FSS program, please see: www.akc.org/reg/fss_details.cfm

Here is some general information that will hopefully assist you in filling out the FSS form along with several of the most frequently asked questions regarding this Foundation Stock Service Program and it's requirements. If you have any questions you may email us at info@ratterrierclub.com
IMPORTANT DUE TO SPAM, Please put "AKC" in the subject line.

1. Do we write in the colors? OR must we use the numerical color and marking codes?

Numerical codes are used since most AKC paperwork is now being done online. The acceptable breed colors and markings are already set up in the AKC database. If you go to this link www.akc.org/registration/colormarkings.cfm and pull up Rat Terrier, you'll see them listed.
(AKC allows a maximum of 18 colors and 9 markings.)

Here are the listed 18 colors and 9 markings, along with a brief description of each marking.
COLORS (18 colors)
Black & White 019
Black White & Tan 034
Black Tan & White 030
Blue White & Tan 066
Red White & Sable 158
White & Apricot 200
White & Black 202
White Black & Tan 219
White & Blue Fawn 334
White & Blue 288
White & Chocolate 287
White Chocolate & Tan 397
White & Fawn 207 (aka Isabella/Pearl) Note: Black masked fawns are faulted.
White & Lemon 211
White & Red 214
White & Silver 216
White & Tan 197
White 199

MARKINGS (9 markings)
Badger Markings 001  (Calico: tan face/broad creeping tan markings and/or darker back and top-skull. MUST have tan.)
Blanket-Back 084  (Saddle-type piebald marking over back & ribs, with white over loin & shoulder and on legs, brisket and stomach. With or without Tan markings.)
Irish Marked 115  (Tuxedo: predominately solid from shoulder to tail; White chest/feet/with White full or partial collar marking with or without Tan markings.)
Piebald 025  (White with any shape, acceptable color, or pattern -- with or without tan markings.)
Sable, White Markings 067  (Any white markings, in combination with dark tipped, overlay of sable hairs on base color.)
Solid 110 (Predominately solid - self-colored with minimal required patch of white (1-10%) on body, OR complete "Excessive White" piebald with mottled skin/ticking & dark nose. With or without Tan markings or tan flecks.
Spotted Or Patched 106  (Any color with piebald pattern mostly white: dark head/mask, or eye patch/s with ovate/rounded markings and/or jagged/patched piebald patterns. With or without Tan markings.)
White Mask, White markings 104  (Near solid "Excessively White Piebald" but has only small patch/s of color. A few spot piebald)
White Markings, Tan Points 030  (white markings with any visible tan trim. Use with any bicolor listed above in COLOR, to denote individual as tricolor.)

2. But where's the code for NB?

There is no NB code for AKC registered dogs, as there is in UKC. Therefore, you must physically add the "NB as a suffix to the official name of each individual dog when registering it with AKC.

3. If I have a Rat Terrier dog that is registered with a domestic registry & other than UKC/United (Continental/CKC, Universal/UKCI, NRTA, APRI etc.)

These other registries (except for United kennel Club) are not eligible for direct recording in FSS, as the AKC does not have a reciprocal agreement with them.

4. What if my dog is NOT registered with United Kennel Club?

Only dogs with RTCA or UKC (United) pedigrees are eligible for (FSS) recording. Any other individual dogs from any other registry must submit an individual FSS recording application along with a copy of an RTCA pedigree.

Anyone that currently has a UKC/United Kennel Club registered Rat Terrier that has BOTH of it's parents registered with UKC registration numbers, may directly enroll with AKC. Applicants will have to use the normal recording process and send in the fee of $35.00 along with an FSS application form and the appropriate documentation.

5. What if my Rat Terrier IS currently registered with a domestic registry such as Universal, AMBOR, WWKC or Continental, etc. that is not recognized or accepted by the AKC? How do I get a certified pedigree to enroll into FSS?

You can join the Rat Terrier Club of America and support your Breed, and the AKC RTCA memberships are $20.00 per calendar year and expire on 12/31. When you pay your membership fees, submit a photocopy of your current registration certificate/s (Sorry NO application/s for registration - Do your paperwork first) along with any additional known pedigree on your dog/s, photos (that will be returned and a copy of the signed "Code of Ethics" acknowledgement, and we'll send you a certified print out of the pedigree/s you submitted* and your RATTALES Newsletters. "Owner must also certify that this individual nor it's parents display any disqualifying breed traits: Short legs, lack of coat/hairlessness, brindle or merle color patterning or albinism.

6. How much does it cost to register with AKC?
The initial (single registration) FSS recording fee is $35.00 payable to AKC. Once recorded, FSS dogs' and their offspring will have AKC privileges.

7. How much is it to FSS register your litter? Are the fees the same as other AKC breeds or different for FSS breeds?

Once dogs are recorded in FSS, they are eligible to have their litters FSS registered. FSS Litter application fees are $20.00, www.akc.org/reg/fss_fees.cfm When the litter kits are sent, individual FSS recording application fees for those puppies are $10.00. Current fees are slightly less than fully recognized breeds, but fees are subject to change.

8. On FSS application it states that "Information that you omit or print outside of boxes will delay processing." Since there are only three blanks for registry; what should we use for RTCA?

You should use "RTC" as the registry code, or "for United Kennel Club. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER DESIGNATION CODE, OR AKC WILL DENY YOUR APPLICATION.

9. What about registering your kennel name with AKC? Sorry, but The Registered Kennel Name program is currently only available to fully recognized AKC breeds.

10. What about "Listings" on the AKC home page?

There won't be a RAT TERRIER listing on the home page, but we do already have the Rat Terrier listing added to the FSS breed page as seen below:

Rat Terrier eligible registries: Rat Terrier Club of America, United Kennel Club

    Rat Terrier Club of America
    Pam Mills, Secretary
    47044 N. Fifth Street West
    Lancaster, CA 93534-7501
    phone: (661) 945-5663
    E-mail: info@ratterrierclub.com

11. Will the AKC's DNA requirement for frequently used sires be applicable for us, as an FSS breed?

Yes FSS follows the same registration guidelines as fully recognized breeds. So if any sire has been used 7 times in their lifetime, or has been used 3 times within a calendar year, they will need AKC approved DNA profiles done on them.

12. What DNA profiles are acceptable? Or do these DNA profiles have to be done solely through an AKC approved lab? Which one? Our dogs are already profiled but through UKC or CKC. How much are kits and DNA analysis?

DNA kits are available through the AKC - you can order them one of two ways - sent at no charge on the front end with a processing fee of $40.00, or you can pre-pay for the kit & processing and save $5.00 for a fee of $35.00.

Here is a direct link to the information on DNA www.akc.org/dna/fus_faq.cfm

13. What is the Frequently Used Sire Program?

The American Kennel Club requires DNA profiles for stud dogs routinely siring litters. Effective for litters whelped on or after July 1, 2000, every sire producing seven or more litters in a lifetime or producing more than three litters in a calendar year must be 'AKC DNA Certified.' These DNA profiles will be used for genetic identity and for parentage verification, and, thus, will be used to advance issues relating to integrity of the registry.

Dogs with DNA profiles from the voluntary DNA Certification Program or from the Parent Breed Club DNA Program have already met this requirement. Dogs sampled during kennel inspections for the Compliance Audit Program are not DNA Certified - DNA Certificates are not issued, and DNA Profile Numbers are not added to the registration record. Therefore, the dogs do not meet the requirement for Frequently Used Sires until a DNA sample is submitted via the DNA Certification Program.

What breeders/owners need to do if they own a sire that is subject to the requirement:

(1) To obtain a DNA test kit. You may order through the Online Store, or from AKC Fulfillment in Raleigh, NC orderdesk@akc.org fax: (919) 816-4255; phone: (919) 233-9767; mail: AKC DNA Test Kit, American Kennel Club, PO Box 37904, Raleigh, NC 27627-7904).

(2) Send the DNA cheek swab sample, the required paperwork, and the payment of the $40.00 fee to the AKC in the envelope provided in the DNA test kit. To eliminate delays in processing litter applications, the completed test kits should be submitted in advance of the litter application.

Breeders/owners fulfill the requirement when the DNA test kit arrives at DNA Operations in Raleigh and is logged into the Database, even though an additional six to eight weeks are required to obtain the actual DNA profile. The parentage verification policies of all current DNA programs will be applied to the Frequently Used Sires Program, as will the discipline policies of the Compliance Audit Program 12. What about the online breeder classifieds? Will breeders with FSS enrolled Rat Terriers be able to use this service for their FSS registered litters?

FSS breeds are eligible; however, they were not set up in the initial programming to be able to do a search on them. Ms. Pat Lejman spoke with the head of the group that is responsible for this project and she will be looking into it. But yes, when Rat Terrier breeders are ready to start recording litters with AKC, they will be able to use the service.

Sincerely,
Pam Mills - Breed Secretary
RTCA
47044 Fifth St. West
Lancaster, CA 93534-7501

We wish to thank our members and the Rat Terrier community for their support, participation, and donations during this past decade. Without your help there would be no AKC Recognition. We hope that you will FSS register your Rat Terrier and support the AKC and the RTCA.