The National Kennel Club is an all-breed dog registry in the United States. It was founded in 1969. It has been criticized by many breeders as being a "paper mill"; that is, it will issue registration for any dog, for any breed, with no rigorous proof of ancestry or determination as to fitness for breeding. For example, a stray dog that looks at least something like a Shetland Sheepdog could be registered unconditionally as a Shetland Sheepdog.
The NKC might respond that other kennel clubs are too rigorous or arbitrary. For example, the American Kennel Club might allow such a dog to be registered conditionally; that is, it is allowed to compete in AKC dog sports. However, it could never legally be bred as a Sheltie, nor could its offspring; nor could it be shown in the conformation ring as a show dog.
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