To the everyday dog lover, the rules and regulations of some nationwide dog registry associations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) can seem unusual, to say the least. You would reasonably expect that a puppy registered by the AKC would be a healthy, high quality purebred, yet this isn’t always so. You can really only be sure of getting a puppy with a recognized pedigree. The AKC does not make sure the puppy’s parents are free from health issues that may be latent but genetic. Additionally, it does not seem to care about the standards of breeders and their kennels. This can be a shock to a lot of dog owners who would certainly assume that a registry like the AKC would provide such fundamental regulatory care. It shows why some breed clubs, such as those for the Australian kelpie dog breed, have chosen not to implement the requirements for AKC registration. Dogs not recognized by the AKC cannot compete in the numerous American Kennel Club sponsored dog shows. It does, however, protect the breed’s health.

The AKC in effect wanted to restrict the natural and healthy genetic variation of breeds like the Australian kelpie. Pedigree dogs seem to be produced from a decreasing gene pool. This is particularly true for those breeders concerned with champion lines. Consequently a lot of these dogs can no longer do a lot of the things their ancestors once did, such as hunt. It has also meant a lot of genetic health issues, the consequence of too much inbreeding to keep the lines ‘pure’. Dogs are bred back to their parents and grandparents, all because it creates dogs that help do well in dog shows. An article on the University of Wisconsin website discusses this in detail. They write:

“First, the AKC defines quality in a dog primarily on the basis of appearance, paying scant heed to such other canine characteristics as health, temperament, and habits of work. Over the years this policy has led to destructive forms of inbreeding that have created dogs capable only of conforming to human standards of beauty. Many can no longer perform their traditional tasks–herding, tracking, hunting–while more than a few cannot live outside a human-controlled environment.” (Source)

Of course, this isn’t the only reason why a breed isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club. Some of the smaller breeds are not recognized as they are smaller versions of larger dogs, and the AKC doesn’t recognize the distinction. This is true of dogs like the small German spitz and the toy Manchester terrier.

Ultimately, registration by the American Kennel Club is not as important as finding a good quality dog from a breeder who breeds healthy dogs that still retain the abilities for which the breed was once (or still is), known. Breeders who breed mostly for show are more likely to follow breeding practices that don’t support a dog’s wellbeing. And it could result in dogs that have personalities that might prove difficult to live with. Whilst there may be some instances where this is not true, in the long run, sustained inbreeding can only create problems for a breed.

Be Sociable, Share!

•