American Kennel Club Understanding the World of Purebred Dogs

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a well-established organization that has been around for over a century, founded in 1884. With over 500,000 registered dogs, the AKC is the largest and most influential purebred dog registry in the world.

The AKC recognizes over 200 breeds of dogs, each with its unique characteristics, temperaments, and purposes. From the tiny Chihuahua to the massive Great Dane, every breed has its own story and history.

The AKC's mission is to promote the health and well-being of all dogs, regardless of breed or size. This includes providing education and resources for dog owners, breeders, and enthusiasts to ensure the best possible care for their canine companions.

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The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a rich history that dates back to the 1800s. The English were initially concerned with the beauty and function of dogs, leading to the establishment of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1877.

In 1884, a group of 13 breed clubs, 10 American clubs, and three Canadian clubs founded the AKC. These clubs pledged to advance the study, breeding, exhibiting, running, and maintenance of purebred dogs. The AKC differed from The Kennel Club in that individuals couldn't directly join the AKC, instead joining smaller breed clubs that were members of the AKC.

The AKC initially had a more restrictive policy, refusing to allow Canadian dogs without an American pedigree to participate in its shows in 1894.

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The American Kennel Club has its roots in the 1800s, when the English became interested in the beauty and function of dogs.

In 1876, the National American Kennel Club was founded, but it had more focus on field trials than conformation shows. This led to the formation of the American Kennel Club in 1884.

Thirteen breed clubs, ten American clubs, and three Canadian clubs came together to create the AKC, with a mission to advance the study and breeding of purebred dogs.

The AKC differed from The Kennel Club in that individuals couldn't directly join the AKC - they had to join smaller breed clubs first.

In 1886, disagreements between American and Canadian breed clubs led to the Canadian clubs pulling out and forming their own kennel club, the Canadian Kennel Club.

The AKC began to refuse Canadian dogs without an American pedigree from participating in its shows in 1894.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture ruled that dogs imported to America without AKC registration had to pay a duty charge in 1906, but this was later changed in 1911.

The cane corso is on a path to popularity, rising from relative obscurity to 16th in the rankings in just a few years.

This remarkable jump in popularity is partly due to its desirable traits, such as being protective, trainable, and attached to its people.

The AKC first started counting the breed in 2010, and it's likely that its popularity was boosted by high-profile owners like LeBron James and Patrick Mahomes.

The bracco Italiano is also on the rise, debuting in the standings at 152nd most popular, but it's not a new breed by any means.

Country music power couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have shared their bracchi Italiani's antics on social media, giving the breed a wider audience.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers a range of programs and services for dog owners and enthusiasts.

Registration with the AKC is a bit more involved than you might think. For a purebred dog to be registered, its parents must be registered with the AKC as the same breed, and the litter must be registered as well.

The AKC's Foundation Stock Service provides an optional breed registry service for new purebred dog breeds introduced to the US that are yet to be recognized by the AKC.

The AKC also offers the Canine Good Citizen program, which tests dogs of any breed or type for basic behavior and temperament suitable for public appearances and living at home.

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The AKC's Foundation Stock Service is an optional breed registry service the club provides for new purebred dog breeds that have been introduced to the US and are yet to be recognized by the AKC. It's a great resource for breeders of these emerging breeds.

This service allows breeders to register their dogs and gain access to AKC resources and support.

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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the largest registry of purebred dogs in the U.S. and is the only not-for-profit registry.

For a purebred dog to be registered with the AKC, the dog's parents must be registered with the AKC as the same breed. The litter in which the dog is born must also be registered with the AKC.

If the dog's parents are not registered with the AKC or the litter is not registered, an exception may be made if the AKC determines, through special registry research, that the dog is eligible for AKC registration.

Registration indicates only that the dog's parents were registered as one recognized breed.

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The AKC offers a range of programs that go beyond traditional registration.

The Canine Good Citizen program tests dogs for basic behavior and temperament suitable for appearing in public and living at home.

This program is open to dogs of any breed or type, registered or not, making it a great option for mixed breed dogs or those who aren't registered with the AKC.

AKC Reunite, formerly AKC Companion Animal Recovery, is a not-for-profit pet ID and recovery service that's been around since 1995.

The AKC Humane Fund supports breed rescue activities and educates dog lovers about responsible dog ownership.

If you've got a therapy dog, you can get titles from the AKC after it's been certified by an AKC recognized therapy dog organization and has performed a required number of visits.

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The American Kennel Club (AKC) sanctions events where dogs and their handlers can compete, providing a fun and challenging experience for dog owners.

Conformation shows are a key part of AKC competitions, where dogs are judged on how closely they conform to their breed's standard.

The AKC organizes conformation shows in different classes based on breed and sex, dividing breeds into groups like hound, terrier, and sporting.

Dogs compete in these classes to show off their breed characteristics and receive recognition.

The AKC's premier conformation shows are the Westminster Dog Show and the AKC National Championship, attracting top dogs and handlers from across the country.

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AKC-registered dogs over 12 months old can participate in dog agility competitions, which test their speed, agility, and teamwork with their handlers.

Obedience trials are also available for AKC-registered dogs over 6 months old, where they can demonstrate their training and obedience skills.

The AKC offers a variety of field competitions, including herding and farm dog trials, scent work trials, earthdog trials, and lure coursing trials, which are open to specific breeds like Bassets, Beagles, and coonhounds.

Up to 25% of purebred dogs registered by the AKC have at least one hereditary genetic problem, resulting in costly vet bills and lost revenues.

These genetic issues have led to the emergence of "puppy lemon laws" in several U.S. states, which protect dog owners from genetic diseases that their breeder may have neglected to inform them of.

The Humane Society of the United States has criticized the AKC for not taking a stand against puppy mills, opposing over 80 state bills and local ordinances designed to provide stronger protections for dogs in puppy mills.

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The dachshund has been riding high at No. 6 in popularity rankings since 2004.

They were originally bred to roust badgers.

Their combination of sprightly cuteness and determination makes them endearing to many.

Dachshunds have a full-sized bark despite their small size.

People often underestimate their capabilities due to their size.

As Carole Krivanich notes, "They are hounds", and they have a versatile nature.

She's found them to be good companions and suitable for agility and show activities.

Mo, her nearly 15-year-old dachshund, is an agility and show champion.

Dachshunds can be stubborn at times, but with the right training and care, they can thrive.

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Genetics plays a significant role in the health of purebred dogs. As many as 25% of them have at least one hereditary genetic problem.

These issues cost breeders and owners almost $1 billion in vet bills and lost revenues from stillborn pups.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has been criticized for the prevalence of genetic disorders in their registered dogs.

Some breed clubs resist AKC breed acceptance due to fears that it would be detrimental to the breed's genetics.

Puppy lemon laws have emerged in several U.S. states to protect dog owners from genetic diseases that breeders may have neglected to inform them of.

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The American Kennel Club (AKC) has faced its fair share of controversies and criticism over the years. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, for example, voted to reject AKC recognition in May 2000 due to the incompatibility of their no-sales-to-pet-stores rule.

The AKC requires breeders to sell their dogs to pet stores, which the breed club saw as detrimental to the genetic health of the breed. This led to a rift between the two organizations.

Some breeders of Jack Russell Terriers also opposed AKC recognition in the 1990s, citing concerns that the breed would be compromised by being turned into a show dog. The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA) argued that the working abilities of the JRT would be lost if it was included in the AKC registry.

The AKC did eventually accept the Jack Russell Terrier into the registry, but under the new name Parson Russell Terrier to distinguish the AKC dogs from the JRT working dogs.

Here are some examples of breeds that have been affected by AKC recognition:

These controversies highlight the complex issues surrounding AKC recognition and the potential impact on breed health and working abilities.