Breed registries, the AKC and stance on animal welfare? ?

The Gwinnett article seems to forget that the AKC is a non-profit organization, calling it a "brand name" and comparing it to a commercial oil company. I also disagree that the AKC's revenue problem is due to some "new awakening" in the population to adopt rather than buy puppies.

Spend a week in this forum, where people are constantly asking what to name their new "Maltipom" that they bought off the internet, or wanting to know where to buy a "cheap teacup puppy", and you KNOW where the revenue has gone -- to the crap registries who cheaply and simply register any dog whose papers show up in its mailbox.

Cheap and simple the AKC is not. So the commercial breeders and "Designer" dog people have gone elsewhere. It really is that simple.

I have seen no change in the demand for purebred dogs -- in fact, there are *far* more people buying poorly-bred versions of my breed based on looks and then dumping them in purebred rescue a year later than there were 10 years ago. If only they would adopt from a shelter, instead of making the ignorant, uninformed choice!

The bottom line is this: The AKC is suffering from a severe revenue problem. While the pound puppy people may cheer on its demise, what they don't seem to understand is what will die with the AKC if it goes down; as I said, it is a non-profit, with many programs in place.

* If the AKC goes down, the CHIC Health Database is in danger.

* If the AKC goes down, all of the money they donate to canine genetic health studies goes with it

* If the AKC goes down, many purebred dog owners will no longer have a voice in legislative matters -- the AKC currently provides a lot of clout against BSL and MSN laws.

* If the AKC goes down, people will no longer have venues in which to prove their dogs worthy of breeding -- thus, those of us TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING will suffer

* If the AKC goes down, their companion animal education services will go with them. Their responsible pet ownership programs will vanish.

* If the AKC goes down, the Companion Animal Recovery program will also fail, resulting in the euthanasia of more animals -- dogs who end up in shelters and cannot be reunited with their owners due to no permanent ID.

* If the AKC goes down, the only alternative will be the CRAP registries, who are for-profit, and who do NONE OF THE ABOVE.

If the AKC goes down, all of the educational programs, legislative support, and financial support of health studies will go with it...not to mention the companion activities and conformation competitions that the organization develops, sanctions, and supports.

The Pound Puppy People may cheer this day -- that would be incredibly selfish of them. If they love dogs, they should be concerned about this.

I don't agree with everything the AKC does -- but its positives far outweigh its negatives. It would be nice if the shelter people could get off their high horses and recognize ALL that the organization represents.

Wrong both NKC (National Kennel Club) and CKC (Continental Kennel Club) and APRI, and UKCI (Universal Kennel Club Inc) and many more are ALL sham puppy mill/BYB registries that are not worth squat. You're male is not breeding worthy so you might as well get him neutered and not use him as an ATM, all you will get is bottom of the barrel crap bitches. ALL of those sham registries do NOT come even close to AKC. AKC is the only reputable all-breed registry in the US. CanKC in Canada is reputable and has a reciprocal agreement with AKC. United Kennel Club used to be in the ranks so to speak but not since they started to register and refuse to stop registering mutts as american pit bull terriers. NKC and ConKC papers are worthless. Only thing they are good for is lining litter boxes or toilet paper. Neither NKC NOR ConKC NOR APRI NOR UKCI etc etc have reciprocal agreements with AKC NOR CanKC.

I can't add any more than the three knowledgable people above me, Thank you Chetco, Loki and Jennifer T!

I will say that without the AKC, my rescue would be nothing. We are funded and get volunteer support from AKC members and they do a LOT for us.

In my experience, purebred fanciers are interested in ALL the dogs of their breed, poorly bred or not. They do a LOT for rescue dogs because whether they are show dogs or not, they are part of the breed they love.

I don't know where we would be without our local breed club.

I can't add much to this than what these 3 very knowledgable people have already said.

I do take exception with the Armageddon Plan concept. I find it funny that no where is it mentioned that for most pure bred kennel clubs to exisit - they are REQUIRED to rescue their own breed in their bylaws.

All of the labrador clubs in my area have very active, breeder funded and breeder run, Lab rescues. They want to save the dogs that AREN'T being bred by reputable, AKC breeders....

There is no conspiracy that I can see.

I AM A RESCUE PERSON. I applaud the help and support we get from the Lab clubs and those (nasty <jk>) breeders. They are true stewards of their breed...

Edit: Note I said most breed clubs. So sue me for not knowing the bylaws of every breed club that exists. I spoke of the labrador ones I know of...

AKC is "losing registrations" due to the fact it has intentionally implemented programs to ensure RESPONSIBLE breeding practrices. Less than 30 percent of dogs are bred by RESPONSIBLE breeders who do genetic testing to ensure healthy pups and have contracts and do home checks to ensure LIFETIME homes for their pups. RESPONSIBLE breeders ALWAYS take back their own pups for the whole LIFE of the dog, and many, many also do breed rescue, taking in the poorly bred dogs from backyard breeders and commercial breeders, vetting them, having them spayed/neutered, and finding them forever homes. AKC members raise funds for rescue at every show I have been to, and participate in transporting adopted dogs and recovering dumped dogs from shelters.

The AKC supports shelter efforts and on their website, has free to rescue areas to promote rescue groups. They do NOT malign shelter dogs in any way, and offer the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) award to ANY dog that can pass the test. The CGC award can help renters get housing where they can keep their pets, which helps keep the dogs out of the shelters.

The AKC runs a foundation to eradicate diseases found in ALL dogs, not just purebred ones. It is totally funded by the grants of breed-specific AKC member clubs, the general membership, and the AKC budget.

The AKC does NOT encourage pet owners to breed! They have a very, very good pamphlet titled, "Should I Breed My Dog" which specifically DISCOURAGES the pet owner from breeding the pet quality dog. It has the limited registration to help members prevent dogs that are not breeding quality from being bred. It PROMOTES educating yourself about the breed and getting a mentor if you are thinking aobut breeding. To say the AKC wants breeding by novices and profit motivated individuals increased is a blatant LIE, and devalues the author of the article's credibility. They obviously have an ax to grind, and it means they are either PETA & HSUS related, or run one of the crap registries, like the CONtinental KC, or ACA, or APR.

The Responsible Dog Owner's Day is designed to promote RESPONSIBLE ownership, regardless of breed or mix, and most events are including a chance to test ANY dog for a CGC title.

Someone has been feeding you a load pf propaganda, and I sincerely hope you will look into this matter and learn for yourself what is reality and what is bogus mudslinging by haters with an agenda to take away ALL animal ownership, INCLUDING YOUR PETS. They would rather see the demise of a species than allow it to live in captivity to save it from extinction. Do some research and don't let them suck you in.

ADDED: In answer to your Q regarding AKC and PAWS...I have been involved in the process of creating the HB 2525, commonly known as the puppymill bill. It is a well-intentioned bill that was tremendously WRONG in the way the first draft was worded, and contained huge misconceptions by legislators who were ignorant of the fact they were ignorant of how breeding and husbandry really works. The latest draft that unfortunately was passed to the senate this week wasn't quite done yet. It will now take our efforts to educate the senators on a few things that need the language tweaked before it can be GOOD legislation. I am confident that it can be done. But you know who was the BIGGEST propenent of getting a good, enforceable, well-written bill to the house and senate? The AKC! They were here every step of the way helping those of us like me who never gave a damn about legalese in her life herd legislators in the right direction on this bill. I KNOW that should it have passed with NO infulence and input from us fanciers, our responsible show folks and breeders and sportsmen would have lost the one thing we hold dear, our relationships with our dogs. The AKC was instrumental in keeping dog ownership and cometition available to ALL of us, while helping mandate improvements for dogs on commercial breeding facilities.

As far as being able ot compete in performance events with PAL/ILP registered dogs, I do believe they earn all the same titles and are open to all the same performance events as the dogs registered since birth.

I have never been contacted by AKC and encouraged to breed.

My last litter, I had to have a letter from the vet to state the stud was still fertile at 12 (he turned 12 the week he was last bred) I also had to produce two notes from witnesses! (like I invite onlookers?!)

They gave me all kinds of hassle, including requiring a dna swab. Three of my males have had to be swabbed for dna. It took me 3 months just to get this litter registered.

The buyers of my pups have not been contacted and encouraged to breed, ever..

A relative-in-law who had dirty kennels was shut down by the AKC inspectors.

The lady that bred Chihuahuas in my community was denied further AKC privileges for not keeping better records of where all of her pups went.

If you look on their website, you will see a long list of those that have had privileges suspended, for several reasons.

The AKC has a limited registration program, encouraging spay/neuter.

They also have Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege encouraging those with 'shelter' dogs to participate in AKC events. They can enter most events but the conformation ring.

I just haven't seen the trend that Gwinnett is referring to. I think she is serving her own agenda.

Friends of Animals is a branch of PETA. It is what they set up to fall back on if/when they lose their non-profit status. (which has been threatened by the state of Virginia).

AKC is studying genetic issues and asking breeders to breed responsibly, screening for genetic issues.

I won't deny that some mass breeders are registering AKC, but the far majority of them are using the other registries.

I get the AKC news letter. I have never seen anything dissing shelter dogs. They do promote breed rescues.

You might enjoy reading this animal welfare law that AKC has supported>

http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2514

(IN PART)

"legislation which will bring under federal regulation persons who import large numbers of dogs for resale, individuals who sell dogs at retail through the internet or the mass media, and high volume breeders who sell dogs at retail. The legislation also strengthens the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ability to enforce compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and to identify persons who are evading the Act."

Added:

Rescue activity IS a requirement for any AKC recognized club>(quoted)

"These clubs not only further the sport of purebred dogs, but also strive to promote and protect dogs in their communities, share in educational programs, sponsor training classes and health clinics, and operate a rescue network, as well as responsible breeder locator service. Some clubs are AKC members, others are licensed/sanctioned to hold events".

You have been answered by 4 HIGHLY intelligent, and involved people.

AKC encourages responsible breeding by implementing the ILP, limited registration, and registration refusals.

To say otherwise would be grasping at straws.