Asociación Ecuatoriana de Registros Caninos (AERCAN): Ecuador’s National Kennel Club
Asociación Ecuatoriana de Registros Caninos (AERCAN): Ecuador’s National Kennel Club
Ecuador’s purebred dog world runs through a single address near the Teleférico de Quito: the headquarters of the Asociación Ecuatoriana de Registros Caninos (AERCAN). AERCAN describes itself as the only Ecuadorian entity recognized simultaneously by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the Latin American Canine Exchange Society (SICALAM), the Pan-American Society for Canine Development, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) — a rare quadruple recognition that gives Ecuadorian pedigrees standing across several of the world’s major canine registries at once. Full details are published on the organization’s own site, aercan.com.
AERCAN operates nationwide from its Quito headquarters, coordinating seven affiliated member organizations that include regional canine associations as well as breed-specific clubs for German Shepherds and Rottweilers.
The Role of AERCAN in Ecuador
AERCAN is the sole authority in Ecuador empowered to issue pedigrees to purebred dogs and to sanction dog exhibitions nationally. It maintains the Ecuadorian Registry Book (Libro de Estirpe/Registro Ecuatoriano, LER), kept in line with FCI standards, which means any dog registered through AERCAN carries documentation recognized well beyond Ecuador’s borders. Its activities go beyond paperwork: the association runs education programs through seminars and conferences, organizes national and international dog shows in cities including Quito, Guayaquil, Santo Domingo, and Riobamba, and promotes responsible dog ownership across the country.
Because AERCAN’s recognition extends to SICALAM and the Pan-American Society for Canine Development, in addition to the FCI and AKC, Ecuadorian breeders and exhibitors have a comparatively broad path to international competition — a title or pedigree issued through AERCAN can carry weight not just in FCI member countries but within the wider Latin American and Pan-American canine circuit as well.
What AERCAN Does
| Responsibility | With AERCAN Registration | Without AERCAN Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Pedigree issuance | Recorded in the Ecuadorian Registry Book (LER), aligned with FCI standards | No official pedigree recognized in Ecuador or abroad |
| International recognition | Recognized simultaneously by FCI, SICALAM, the Pan-American Society for Canine Development, and AKC | No standing with any of these bodies |
| Show and exhibition eligibility | Eligible for AERCAN-sanctioned national and international shows in cities like Quito and Guayaquil | No access to officially sanctioned Ecuadorian dog shows |
| Breed club affiliation | Access to AERCAN’s seven affiliated member organizations, including breed-specific clubs | No connection to Ecuador’s organized breed club network |
| Education and responsible ownership resources | Access to AERCAN seminars and conferences | No centralized access to these programs |
3 Real-World Scenarios
- A German Shepherd breeder in Quito registering a litter through one of AERCAN’s affiliated breed-specific clubs so the puppies carry FCI-aligned pedigrees.
- An exhibitor from Guayaquil entering a dog in an AERCAN-sanctioned national show, one of several the association organizes in cities across Ecuador.
- A new Rottweiler owner attending an AERCAN seminar on responsible dog ownership before deciding whether to pursue breeding through the affiliated Rottweiler club.
2 Ecuador Kennel Facts
- AERCAN is recognized simultaneously by four major bodies: the FCI, SICALAM, the Pan-American Society for Canine Development, and the AKC — a combination not every national kennel club can claim.
- The association coordinates seven affiliated member organizations nationwide, including dedicated clubs for German Shepherds and Rottweilers.
10 FAQs
What does AERCAN stand for?
Where is AERCAN headquartered?
Is AERCAN the only body that can issue pedigrees in Ecuador?
Which international bodies recognize AERCAN?
What is the Ecuadorian Registry Book (LER)?
How many member organizations does AERCAN have?
Which cities host AERCAN-organized dog shows?
Does AERCAN offer education programs?
Are there breed-specific clubs affiliated with AERCAN?
Where can I find official information about AERCAN?
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