After recently reading this statement on the AKC website, I was shocked... "Breeding Age Limits:According to AKC rules, a dam must be at least 8 months old, but not more than 12 years old, on the date of mating. A sire must be at least 7 months old, but not more than 12 years old, on the date of mating." With the prevalence of hip dysplasia in many breeds and OFA and Penn hip ratings not being effective until a dog reaches the age of two, allowing registrations from litters with a dam as young as 8 months and a sire as young as 7 months does nothing but help to propagate poor breeding practices.  Puppy Mills and BYB's don't test yet are rewarded by getting to register litters from juvenile parents.  This sets a very bad precedent and encourages poor breeding practices.  AKC should be at the forefront of encouraging and indeed regulating good breeding practices. Let puppies BE puppies!!!  Reward breeders who test and discourage Mills and BYB's by increasing the allowable breeding age for Registration!