Rules of Eligibility
What are Rules of Eligibility?
As an association incorporated under the
Animal Pedigree Act, the CKC is required to establish Rules of Eligibility (ROE) for each breed it recognizes.
ROE are broad, key traits for each breed to be used for registration considerations only. Wording describes the most basic trait that will, to a person with no knowledge of the breed, enable that person to identify the breed. This may include size, coat colour, colour markings, coat texture/length, body, ear shape/placement, tail shape/carriage, feet, unique characteristics, and any genetic/observable variabilities.
For the purposes of the Rules of Eligibility (ROE), the following general categories of approximate size shall be applied. Height is from the highest point of the withers.
| VERY SMALL |
up to 30cm (12”) |
up to 7kg (15lbs) |
| SMALL |
30-38cm (12-15”) |
7-18kg (15-40lbs) |
| MEDIUM |
38-61cm (15-24”) |
18-30kg (40-65lbs) |
| LARGE |
61-76cm (24-30”) |
30-36kg (65-80lbs) |
| VERY LARGE |
over 76cm (30”) |
over 36kg (80lbs) |
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Sign up for Boston Terrier Breeders and Enthusiasts
Register to be eligible to cast your vote for the Rules of Eligibility for your Breed. Help CKC maintain breed integrity and standards by providing essential information on key traits and characteristics for Registration purposes.
Registration will be opened from March 16 to April 14, 2026, and after the registration period has closed you will be invited to participate in a survey on the Proposed Rules of Eligibility for your Breed.
Individuals who have bred a litter in the last five years are not required to sign up, as they will be automatically included in the survey.
CKC currently has established 118 ROE:
For many centuries, Sporting breeds have been employed to find, flush out and retrieve game birds.
Hound breeds are split into two factions – those long-limbed canines that hunt by sight (aptly enough referred to as sighthounds or, occasionally, gazehounds) and those that hunt by scent, not surprisingly called scent hounds.
These breeds have a job to do. Some pull sleds or carts while others guard livestock, homes, businesses or military installations.
From the Latin word terra‚ meaning “earth,” comes the name “terrier,” an appropriate appellation for dogs bred to “go to earth” or dig after vermin and small game.
Most of the others were primarily pampered lap dogs, meant mainly to look as appealing as possible and to sop up all the excess adoration available.
When a breed didn’t quite seem to fit in any other group, it became part of the Non-Sporting crew.
Bred to control a variety of livestock, Herding dogs have been developed to be well suited for their special functions