THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB TO ACCEPT PEDIGREES FROM THE CANINE OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Kennel Club (AKC^®), a not-for-profit organization that serves as the world's largest registry of purebred dogs and a leading advocate for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is pleased to announce that it will now accept pedigrees from The Canine Owners and Breeders Association (COBA), through its Foreign Registration Program.

"The American Kennel Club is proud to accept pedigrees from the Canine Owners & Breeders Association (COBA)," said Gina M. DiNardo, President and CEO of AKC. "Collaborating with respected registries around the world strengthens our shared mission and ensures a bright future for all dogs. By working together, we can advance education and opportunities for breeders and owners, and continue to promote the health, well-being, and excellence of all dogs."

Founded in 2019, COBA is a non-profit organization that serves as the official registry of all purebred and non-purebred dogs and is the internationally recognized national kennel club of Nigeria. The organization boasts over 5,000 members and licenses dog sports across the country. It hosts 10 shows annually, which includes six breed specialty shows, three regional shows and a national show.

"We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from The American Kennel Club. This milestone is a proud moment for our entire canine community and reflects our shared commitment to preserving, protecting, and promoting the excellence of purebred dogs worldwide. We look forward to building on this partnership through meaningful collaborations that will benefit breeders, dog owners, and canine enthusiasts between our two nations," said COBA President, Dr. Olakunle Sowumni.

Dogs born in Nigeria will be eligible to participate in AKC events given all other requirements are met, including AKC Foreign Registration.

About the American Kennel Club

Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function.  Along with its more than 4,900 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 26,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred and mixed breed dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, scent work, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests.

Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite, the AKC Museum of the Dog, and the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank.  For more information, visit www.akc.org.

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.

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About the COBA

COBA (Canine Owners and Breeders Association) Nigeria, is dedicated to promoting the quality breeding of purebred dogs in Nigeria. Through purposeful, ethical, and regulatory breeding practices, the Club works to preserve the natural, desired traits, and attributes of each breed while fostering responsible Dog ownership and advancing the nation's canine community.

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SOURCE The American Kennel Club, Inc.