What is a Registry and What does it MEAN?

A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young.

There are breed registries and breed clubs for several species of animal, such as dogs, horses, cows and cats. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) also maintains stud books for captive species on display ranging from aardvaarks to zebras.

Kennel clubs always maintain registries, either directly or through affiliated dog breed clubs. Some multi-breed clubs also maintain registries, as do non-affiliated breed clubs, and there are a few registries that are maintained by other private entities such as insurance agencies; an example of this in the United States is the Field Dog Stud Book. Working dog organizations also maintain registries.

There are also entities which refer to themselves as registries, but which are thinly-veiled marketing devices for vendors of puppies and adult dogs, as well as a means of collecting registration fees from novice dog owners unfamiliar with reputable registries and breed clubs. Though these entities generally focus on dogs, particularly in relationship to the puppy mill industry, some are marketed as cat registries. At least one group claims to register wild species (held by private individuals rather than by legitimate zoological parks, which use the AZA). 

Many such questionable registries are incorporated as for-profit commercial businesses, in contrast to the formal not-for-profit status of most reputable breed clubs. They may provide volume discounts for registrations by commercial dog breeders such as puppy mills. An unscrupulous registry for dogs or horses is often spotted by a policy to not require any proof of pedigree at all. In the dog world, such registries may not sponsor competitions, and thus cannot award championship points to identify the best individuals registered within a particular breed or species.

So What does all this mean to me?  All I want is a pet!  If you want a pet, not a show dog, then the only reason you need to know about registries is to know that many dog registries were made just so puppy mills could make their puppies seem like they are worth more than they are.  If you go to a pet store, find out where the puppies are (or can be) registered.  Chances are great that it is a "questionable registry".  Any altered dog can be registered with the AKC, UKC, or MBDCA and can participate in Obedience and Agility and still be a great pet. 

Here is a FANTASTIC article on registries... http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/breedregistries.htm

Canine Registries

Feline Registries