Breeding of purebred livestock in Canada is governed by a federal statute, the Animal Pedigree Act, which is administered by Canada's Ministry of Agriculture -- in practice, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, a federal government agency. A.A.F.C. charters Animal Pedigree Associations which serve as pedigree record-keeping and registry organisations. It also controls the process of breed recognition. Associations may be multi-breed, as the Canadian Kennel Club, or single breed. Under Canadian law there may be only one Animal Pedigree Association for each recognised purebred breed.

The Working Canine Association of Canada is a single breed association chartered by A.A.F.C. in respect of the Seppala Siberian Sleddog as an evolving breed in Canada, and is the only legal and legitimate association for that breed within Canada.