Due to all the misunderstanding of my strong stance on the Doberman Pinscher
as cropped and docked breed I want to post some of the info on how a dog becomes
a recognized breed in AKC in the hopes that it would help everyone understand
how important a Breed standard is to any breed.
At this time AKC recognizes approximately 175 breeds as PUREBRED. The road
is a long one to achieve this most important status. While there are over 400
breeds recognized around the world in different breed clubs I want to just
address AKC registration which does recognize certain approved outside
registeries as acceptable for AKC registration.
Most people today want AKC registration - WHY? It set the standard for
purebred in the USA for each breed by requiring certain guidelines before
registering a dog as AKC registered.
Seems to me if we want that registration to valid our dog we would want our
dogs to follow the guidelines. Believe you me out in public I have seen some
pretty ugly Dobermans bred by BYB - roached, low tail set (which means the croup
is not correct), snipey heads, cow hocked etc. Why AKC reg does not guarantee
any of these things the breeders who support their particlular breed and who
show in order to maintain a breed standard hold themselves to a higher plane
than just AKC reg - we support all that AKC stands for - The protection of the
breed and to strive to meet the recognized breed standard as required for AKC
registration as a purebred dog.
The first thing a breed has to do to be able to apply for registraton is to
have a BREED STANDARD. It is not at the whim of anyone and everyone to do their
own thing. The Natioanl breed club is responsible for writing the standard and
then maintaining that standard - and this is where the breeder really picks up
the sword and goes to battle - We pour blood sweat and tears in our programs as
we try to produce the "Ideal" of our standard. We have done this for hundreds
of years without government intervention. We brought about dog shows to
showcase our efforts and to promote our breed.
Without the strigent requirements for registration and the breed standards to
point the way there would be no purebred dogs. You can't honestly have it your
want and maintain the purebred dog. It just doesn't fit as the minute you throw
out one part of the standard then the rest becomes far less important and that
is exactly what PETA and HSUS are hoping we do - by eliminating the right to
crop and dock our breed they have undermined the standard and the entire purpose
of the dog fancy. If the AR groups succeed in getting our standard changed then they just took a giant step forward in eliminating the purebred dog world. Don't be fooled - it is not about c/d.
I hope by reading the requirements to become a recognized Purebred dog you will have a better understanding the of part the Breed standard plays and why it is so important to maintain those standards as set down in the beginning. We must not allow the AR groups to influence the government and destroy any breed.
The breed clubs in other countries changed their standard and now they have Dog Wardens who are the "guardians" of dog breed. Their system has become very political and riddled with unscrupulous individuals who care little for any standard. A system that allows breeders to work freely to pursue the art of purebred dogs is the best system to uphold what we have today. While it might not be perfect is it far superior to having someone dictate to you what you can or can't do.
This info is from the AKC web site http://akc.org
What Does it Take to be an AKC Registered Breed?
Facts and Stats
The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, maintains the largest registry of
purebred dogs in the world, and currently registers 164 breeds, representing a
wide variety of sizes, colors, coats, temperaments and heritages. The Bluetick
Coonhound, Boykin Spaniel and Redbone Coonhound are the newest breeds, accepted
December 30, 2009. The next breeds in line for full recognition by AKC are the
Icelandic Sheepdog, Cane Corso and Leonberger. The three will be eligible for
AKC registration on June 1, 2010 and for competition in the Herding and Working
Groups on June 30, 2010.
A dog that has full registration with the AKC is eligible to participate in
many of the more than 20,000 events offered by the AKC and its affiliated clubs
each year (some events are breed-specific).
Internationally, there are approximately 400 breeds that are listed with
registry organizations in other countries. The AKC, however, does not register
all of these breeds, either because there are too few dogs (of that breed) in
this country or there is too little interest among owners of these breeds to
obtain AKC registered status. Because the AKC is a "club of clubs," owners of a
particular breed, wishing to have that breed registered, must establish an
organized National Breed Club.
AKC Foundation Stock Service
Breeds that wish to begin the road to full AKC recognition must be recorded
with an accepted registry (maintained by the national breed club or the optional
AKC Foundation Stock Service). The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is the
AKC's recording service for purebred breeds that are not yet eligible for AKC
registration. Currently, there are 65 breeds in the FSS, but acceptance into the
program does not ultimately guarantee full AKC registration.
To be considered for listing as an FSS breed, the Breed Club must send in a
written request, along with additional documentation such as a written history
and a written breed standard. Photographs are also required at the time of
application. Once all information is presented to the Staff Executive Committee,
a decision is made to allow or deny each request.
Miscellaneous Class
The recognition process begins with a written request to compete in the
Miscellaneous Class from the National Breed Club. To be eligible for
consideration to become an AKC recognized breed, the following general criteria
must be met:
A demonstrated following and interest (minimum of 100 active household
members) in the breed (in the form of a National Breed Club).
A sufficient population in this country (minimum of 300-400 dogs), with a
three-generation pedigree. Dogs in that pedigree must all be of the same
breed.
Geographic distribution of the dogs and people (located in 20 or more
states).
AKC must review and approve the club's breed standard as well as the
club's constitution and by-laws. Breed observations must be completed by AKC
Field Staff.
If a substantial nationwide interest and activity in the breed is
demonstrated and the above criteria met, the information is presented to the AKC
Board of Directors for consideration to compete in the Miscellaneous Class.
Eleven breeds are currently eligible to compete in the Miscellaneous Class:
American English Foxhound, Cane Corso, Cesky Terrier, Entlebucher Mountain Dog,
Finnish Lapphund, Icelandic Sheepdog, Leonberger, Norwegian Lundehund, Russell
Terrier, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Xoloitzcuintli
Moving from Miscellaneous Class to Full AKC Registration
While there is no established "quota" or timetable for adding new breeds,
dogs typically compete in the Miscellaneous Class for one to three years. At the
end of the first year, AKC contacts the National Breed Club for updates on the
number of dogs and litters recorded, and the number of dogs who have entered
events since being eligible to compete in the Miscellaneous Class. Finally, the
club must have held matches, local and national breed specialty shows, judges'
workshops and breed seminars.
When all criteria are met, the information is presented to the Board of
Directors for full recognition.
http://www.akc.org/press_center/facts_stats.cfm?page=8
