List of Kennel Clubs and Their Types

There are many types of kennel clubs, each with its own unique purpose and focus. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is one of the most well-known kennel clubs in the world, with a history dating back to 1884.

The AKC is a non-profit organization that focuses on promoting the health, well-being, and advancement of purebred dogs. It also registers purebred dogs and maintains a breed standard for each recognized breed.

Some kennel clubs focus on specific breeds, such as the Bulldog Club of America, which works to preserve and promote the bulldog breed. Others, like the United Kennel Club (UKC), focus on working dogs and offer a range of programs for dog owners.

Kennel clubs can be broadly categorized into two main types: all-encompassing kennel clubs and specialty clubs.

All-encompassing kennel clubs, also known as "all-breed clubs", recognize and promote more than one breed of dog, although the number of recognized breeds can vary.

Local kennel clubs and national kennel clubs work together to plan dog shows, with the American Kennel Club (AKC) conducting events for all AKC breeds.

Specialty clubs, on the other hand, work solely to protect and promote the interests of a single breed or group of breeds, often hosting an annual show for that breed only.

Each breed has a national club that maintains the breed standard and participates in breed rescue, and many breeds have regional clubs that provide social occasions for owners and support local rescue efforts.

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Dog clubs are organizations that focus on a single breed of dog, such as a breed club. They work to promote and preserve that specific breed.

A kennel club is a broader organization that handles more than one breed of dog, referred to as an all-breed club. They recognize and promote multiple purebred dog breeds.

Some kennel clubs are all-encompassing, but their "all" refers only to the breeds they have decided to recognize. They do not include dog hybrids or crossbreeds, or mixed-breed dogs.

These organizations play a crucial role in the world of dog breeding and showing, providing a platform for enthusiasts to come together and share their passion for purebred dogs.

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Kennel clubs conduct events for all AKC breeds and have more than a dozen clubs within two hours of Cincinnati, with most holding two shows each year.

Local kennel clubs meet monthly and participate in community events, donate money to local and national charities, and maintain lists of area breeders.

Kennel clubs are mostly made up of members who are interested in dog showing or advancing the wellbeing of purebred dogs, and seldom attract pet owners who are not interested in these areas.

Specialty clubs work solely to protect and promote the interests of a single breed or group of breeds, and each breed has a national club that hosts an annual show for that breed only.

The national specialty show for a breed with few registrations is often held in conjunction with an all-breed show to reduce costs, but a specialty for a popular breed can draw more entries than a small all-breed show.

Regional clubs for popular breeds like Labrador Retrievers or German Shepherds support the entry of their breed at a local all-breed show to boost numbers and provide more opportunities to finish championships.

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