American multi breed registries

American Multi-Breed Registries

By Martin Wahl

The American Kennel Club Inc. (AKC) is a $ 30 million a year corporation that was founded about 110 years ago by a group of American blue bloods for the purpose of "doing everything to advance the study, breeding, exhibiting, running and maintenance of purity of thoroughbred dogs". Today it is the biggest and most powerful registry in the US, with about 140 individual (breed-specific) member clubs. It registers about 1.5 million dogs per year, and sponsors over 1000 shows and related dog events each year. But unlike most of the rest of the world, the AKC is NOT a member in the FCI (Fédération Cynologique International, and is therefore not bound by international rules.

Unlike most other dog registries in the world, the AKC is one large "multi-breed" registry for all breeds accepted by it, and in keeping with on old American tradition, is in vigorous competition with several other multi-breed registries (UKC, CKC) for each registration dollar available. AKC member clubs (such as the GSDCA - German Shepherd Dog Club of America), are allowed to write their own breed standard and hold some specialty breed shows, but must get approval on everything from the AKC, or risk loosing their membership in the AKC. Over the years, many breed clubs have tried to make changes to their breed codes that would be more in the interest of their specific breed (such as the GSDCAs attempt to bring in Schutzhund), but have been crushed or reprimanded severely by the AKC, in the interest of AKC conformity and continued AKC supreme rule.

There are some knowledgeable breeders of high quality German Shepherds in America that understand the importance of temperament testing and of the bloodlines in a pedigree. But not only are they entirely on their own and without any support from the AKC/CKC, they actually have their efforts hampered by the AKC/CKC. Case in point: When the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) tried to improve the breed quality of German Shepherds, by using the Schutzhund system as a breed selection criteria, the AKC made it clear that it would not tolerate any involvement in Schutzhund and threatened with expulsion. This left all GSD breeders in America stuck with the unbelievable inferior AKC policies and breed standards.

The Humane Societies and S.P.C.A.’s, while busy euthenizing millions of dogs and cats each year, and preaching to spay and neuter any pet as soon as it moves, are supporting the AKC/CKC and their "We can only do so much" excuses. Their motto: Let’s not rock the boat, because if all breeders would be forced to breed healthy pets, veterinarians would suffer financial hardship, and if all pet owners would be forced to train their dogs properly, the Humane Societies would risk losing the purpose for their very existence. Under the present AKC and CKC systems, its open season on American and Canadian puppy and dog buyers.

Here is a live example of an American puppy mill
See for yourself: visit this web site with up-to-date information and many pictures right now

See also: FCI vs. AKC/CKC and CKC admits failure

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