Ok, enlighten me further. If I find a congenital defect in my dog before the 1 year "warranty" is up, I would definitely contact the breeder, and they would know (wouldn't they?) who the parents are? Also, they provided me with a printout of the family tree/lineage illustration, so even if they had no record, I would. Why, then would I need a registry involved? Just to prove I hadn't messed with the paperwork?
The breeders should know who the parents are, of course, that has no time constraint on your warranty...?. The registry would simply varify the lineage that the breeder gave you. The breeder may have listed Joe Bob as the father and it says that Joe Bob's sire is Tom Dick and Harry. Well, when you submit the papers, it'd come back agreeing that Joe Bob's sire is in fact Tom Dick and Harry or if someone either A: fudged the paperwork or B: had an honest typo. Has little to do w/ you, but rather the breeder. And there's more to submitting those papers than just that even if you weren't going to breed or compete.
Furthermore, how can the breeder determine that a defect was caused by the male or female of the pair? Or is it that combination that could be at fault?
The breeder can make an educated guess. Sometimes you have to risk spaying or neutering your bitch or stud; OR simply not combining those two again and seeing what happens. Too many variables exist to narrow this down in one arguement, but suffice it to say that a lot of this can be determined by exactly which congenital defect pops up. There is genetic testing for some congenital defects and you should then have your stock tested prior to any further breedings.
Next question, if I find a congenital defect 5 years down the road, and the warranty is up, it's really just my issue to deal with. As I mentioned, I am not breeding or showing the dog. Are you saying I would still need to raise the issue of a defect to breeder? registry? to ensure the breeding parents are not mated any longer? And what does the registry do? Alert any other offspring of the same parents of the defect?
If your warranty is up and you notice a congenital defect by 5, I doubt it was congenital. MOST defects of that nature are seen by the age of 2, barring epilepsy. And YES, if you do in fact see something and you suspect it may be something congenital, IF YOU LOVE THIS BREED, it'd be your responsibility to say something to the breeder, whether or not they want to hear it! As of right now, that's all you really could do, is just make it a point to tell the breeders about it, keep you medical files and periodically check back w/ your parent registry. See if those two adults are ever bred again in the future. If you see that they are, then yes, you can file a claim w/ that registry and if it's the AKC they WILL be investigated. Especially if you can find a sibling w/ the same or another congenital defect.
Sorry for my ignorance, I truly thought papers were status symbols(for dogs intended as pets only) and / or for breeding/showing importance.
Ignorance simply means "lack of knowledge" and while it carries a negative connotation, I don't think it should. You brought up some very valid questions and points. And just know that pedigree papers are oh so much more than just a "status symbol" or are for breeding/competing purposes! 
Teresa[/QUOTE]