AKC Inspection Checklist

Don't Discover Missing Records During Your AKC Inspection

SmartPupPro reviews connected dog, litter, ownership, identification, and placement information, identifies incomplete details, and helps you go directly to the underlying record that needs correction before inspection day.

Unlike paper folders, spreadsheets, or systems that only store records, SmartPupPro reviews connected kennel information and helps you find and correct missing details while there is still time.

AKC Inspection Prep

What should I review?

1
Dogs & Ownership

Know where dogs came from and who owns them.

2
Litter Records

Keep breeding and litter history complete.

3
Identification

Review microchip, tattoo, tag, and related details.

4
Placements & Transfers

Know where puppies and dogs went after leaving.

5
Printable Records

Prepare organized records for inspection review.

Know Before Inspection Day

Prepare the records before you need to present them.

Turn the information you maintain during everyday kennel management into a clear inspection-preparation workflow instead of a last-minute records project.

Review your kennel records before the inspection
See missing or incomplete information
Go directly to the record that needs correction
Print organized ownership, litter, and kennel records
Keep the same information updated during normal kennel management
Easy-to-Overlook Details

Having records isn't the same as being inspection-ready.

A record can exist and still be missing a detail needed to tell the complete story. SmartPupPro checks the easy-to-overlook information across the records you already maintain.

1

A breeding may exist

But is the sire owner recorded?

2

A dog may be in the system

But is its required identification complete?

3

A puppy may be marked sold

But is the transfer and placement information complete?

4

A litter may be recorded

But are all mating dates available?

SmartPupPro AKC Readiness

Find what needs attention before inspection day.

SmartPupPro reviews your connected kennel records and surfaces incomplete information in one inspection-readiness checklist, so you know which records need attention before you prepare documents.

AKC Inspection Checklist example
Fix the Source Record

Don't just find a problem. Go directly to where it can be corrected.

Each missing-information item can take you to the dog, puppy, litter, owner, or placement record that owns the information. Correct it once, then return to the inspection checklist to review your readiness again.

1
Find the issue

See the incomplete information.

2
Open the source record

Follow the link to the record that needs correction.

3
Correct it once

Update the same information used throughout SmartPupPro.

4
Return to the checklist

Confirm the readiness issue has been resolved.

Could you answer these right now?

Where did every dog in your kennel come from?
Are your litter and mating records complete?
Is identification recorded for each dog or puppy that requires it?
Can you show where puppies or dogs were transferred?
Could you quickly print the records an inspector asks to review?

SmartPupPro helps organize and review this information before inspection day, while keeping it connected to your normal kennel management.

AKC Ownership Records

Be able to trace the ownership history of each dog.

Ownership records help document how a dog became part of your kennel and what happened when ownership later changed. SmartPupPro keeps that information connected to the dog's permanent record.

Dog identification and registered information
Date of birth
Date acquired
Person or kennel obtained from
Current ownership information
Disposition or transfer information
New owner details when applicable
Example Ownership Record
AKC ownership record example
AKC Litter Records

Keep the story of every litter together.

Connected litter records should make it possible to understand the breeding, identify the sire and dam, review mating information, and see the puppies produced from that litter.

Sire information
Dam information
Breeding and mating dates
Date of birth
Number of puppies
Individual puppy records
Registration information when applicable
Sire Connected
Dam Connected
Litter Spring 2026 Breeding dates & birth details recorded
Puppy 1 Puppy 2 Puppy 3 Puppy 4 Puppy 5 Puppy 6
Kennel Roster

Know which animals should appear in your kennel records.

SmartPupPro can generate a kennel roster using the dogs and puppies already maintained in your account, helping you review the animals associated with the kennel before printing.

Adult dogs
Puppies still associated with the kennel
Current status
Registration information
Identification details
Location information when relevant
AKC Kennel Roster example
Animal Identification

Keep identification attached to the animal record.

Identification is easier to review when the method and identifying value are stored directly with the dog or puppy instead of in a separate spreadsheet.

M

Microchip

Store the microchip identification value with the permanent animal record.

T

Tattoo

Record tattoo identification when that method is used.

#

Tag

Record tag identification and keep the identification method clear.

?

Needs Review

Surface animals whose identification information still needs attention.

Placements & Transfers

Your records do not stop when the puppy goes home.

Sold, transferred, or placed animals may still be part of the historical records needed to understand your kennel activity. SmartPupPro preserves that history through connected go-home and placement records instead of removing the animal from view when it leaves.

Buyer or new-owner name
Sale or transfer date
Go-home date
Registration type
Registration papers status
Historical ownership information
Puppy Born

Birth and litter information recorded.

Buyer Assigned

Buyer and placement information connected.

Sale Completed

Ownership and status information updated.

Gone Home

Go-home date and new-owner history preserved.

Historical Record

The record remains available for future reference.

Printable Documents

Review first. Print when you are ready.

Once you have reviewed what is missing, SmartPupPro can turn the same kennel records into organized ownership, litter, and kennel documents you can prepare for inspection review.

SmartPupPro Kennel Roster
Kennel Roster
SmartPupPro Ownership Record
Ownership Record
SmartPupPro Litter Record
Litter Record
Year-Round Readiness

Do the recordkeeping while you are doing the breeding.

The easiest time to record where a dog came from is when the dog arrives. The easiest time to document a breeding is when it happens. The easiest time to record a buyer is when the puppy is placed.

SmartPupPro helps those everyday records become the foundation for inspection preparation—and helps reveal missing details before they become an inspection-day surprise.

“Inspection readiness should be the result of good records — not a separate project.”

More SmartPupPro Inspection & Recordkeeping Tools

AKC inspection preparation works alongside the records you already maintain throughout your breeding program.

AKC Kennel Inspection FAQ

Common questions about preparing breeder records for an AKC inspection.

What records should I review before an AKC kennel inspection?

Breeders may need to review records involving dogs associated with the kennel, ownership history, breeding and litter information, animal identification, registrations, sales, transfers, and new-owner information. SmartPupPro helps organize these records and identify incomplete information.

Can SmartPupPro help me find missing AKC inspection information?

Yes. SmartPupPro's AKC inspection readiness tools can flag incomplete information and provide links to the underlying records that need attention.

Does SmartPupPro create AKC litter records?

SmartPupPro can use litter, sire, dam, breeding, puppy, and related information already stored in the system to generate organized litter records.

Can I create an ownership record for each dog?

Yes. SmartPupPro keeps acquisition, ownership, identification, transfer, and disposition information connected to individual animal records and can use that information for inspection-related ownership reports.

What about puppies that have already been sold or gone home?

SmartPupPro preserves historical placement and ownership information so puppies and dogs do not disappear from your record history simply because they are no longer physically at the kennel.

Does SmartPupPro guarantee that my kennel will pass an AKC inspection?

No. SmartPupPro is a breeder recordkeeping and inspection-preparation tool. Breeders remain responsible for understanding and meeting the requirements that apply to their kennel and inspection.

Is SmartPupPro affiliated with the American Kennel Club?

No. SmartPupPro is an independent breeder management platform and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the American Kennel Club.

Important: SmartPupPro provides recordkeeping, reporting, and inspection-preparation tools. AKC requirements and inspection practices may change or vary based on individual circumstances. Breeders should confirm current requirements directly with the AKC.

Prepare your kennel for inspection.

Review your records, correct missing information, and prepare your inspection documents before the inspector arrives.

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No credit card required • Free plan available • Upgrade when you're ready