“Non-breeding register”?

[Happyhouralways]

We are currently looking into getting a puppy and I’m confused about the wording on an ad I’ve seen. The puppies are Labradors and the parents are both described as KC registered. However the owner has said the puppies are on “non breeding register so only for family pets”? Does anyone know what this means exactly? And is it a worry? I did a quick google search and found some info about the KC not recognising some litters for various reasons.
I will obviously ask the owner when I meet her but just wanted to ask you wonderfully wise dog lovers first so I can prepare myself to ask the right questions. Many thanks

It's slightly odd wording.

The KC won't register pups from bitches who are too old, too young or who have exceeded the number of (registered) litters allowed in the lifetime of the bitch. In some breeds they will also refuse registration of certain coat colours which are associated with health problems.

A breeder may also endorse a dog's registration so that any pups born can't be registered (to discourage breeding from the pups they sell, for many and varied reasons) although in some cases it's possible to apply for the endorsement to be removed. This endorsement could be on either or both the parents of the pups, or the pups themselves.

Any dog of any breed (or cross) can also be added to the Activities Register in order to compete in any of the various dog sports.

It's weaselly wording; I would bet on one or both parents having an endorsement so the puppies are not eligible for registration.

I'd get the breeder to clarify.

If one or both of the parents are endorsed not for breeding, the breeder (and/ or the owner of the stud ) is basically breaking the terms under which they purchased their dog.

If they are endorsing their puppies, I'd want to know why, and if I was interested in breeding, I would like to know the terms under which the endorsement would be lifted. And possibly get something in writing.

Thank you so much for your replies. You’ve explained it way better than any google searching I did!
I will ask exactly why the parent/s or litter have not been endorsed. The breeder owns both parents.
Given what you have all said - if it is due to the age of the parents or number of litters previously had do you think this could this impact on the health of this litter? (Obviously apart from the risks the breeders have possibly already put upon the mother?)
Thanks again

If it’s an endorsement on the puppy’s KC reg to stop you breeding then that’s actually a good thing.
If they won’t KC reg the pup I would guess mum is too old or even parents could be related. And I would run!
Working or show lines?
Health tests done? Hips etc.

Hips, elbow and eye tests for both - results good. Dad has had lots of additional DNA tests “ Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM), Dwarfism /Skeletal Dysplasia 2(Osteochondrodysplasia), Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC)” which all were clear.
Thank you for all the info - I feel much more confident in asking the right questions

It’ll mean one of two things, which one it is is not clear from your OP and needs clarification from the ‘breeder’

It either means:

One or both the parents have Kennel Club papers that are endorsed ‘not for breeding’ which means that for whatever reason the parents breeder did not want them bred for and didn’t give permission.
It means that no puppy from them is eligible for Kennel Club registration.

Or

Both the parents are Kennel club registered and all the puppies are Kennel club registered but they have an endorsement ‘not for breeding’ on their papers.
It means that you know their lineage and are free to show them at Kennel Club shows or enter them into completions like trials but if you breed them you cannot register the puppies with the Kennel club as the breeder has not given permission for the puppies to be bred from

Hope you get clear answers OP. Good luck.

Thanks again for all the great info.
I’m meant to be meeting the breeder, parents and pups next week so I’ll ask all the questions and see what the deal is.

I will ask exactly why the parent/s or litter have not been endorsed. The breeder owns both parents.
No 'not endorsed', but 'endorsed'. It would be endorsements on the parents blocking registration of the puppies, or an endorsement on the puppies blocking purchasers from registering any puppies they breed from them unless the breeder lifts the endorsement.

Endorsement is pretty standard amongst show and trialling breeders. It's a way of ensuring that only good quality dogs from their kennel reproduce. They may require things like a hip score at or below breed average, being placed in a show, or winning a field trial (for working dogs). It's partly to protect their reputation (for example, they don't want to be known as the breeder who bred a popular sire who had terrible hips, only no one knew until half his progeny had problems) and partly to protect their dogs.