AKC - Self Preservation At All Costs

I honestly think parent clubs need to withdraw from AKC until they raise their standards. Perhaps if the breeders of Lab's Shepherd's & Golden's said, "AKC standards aren't high enough we we will register no more dogs until those standards raise," AKC would do something.

I used to work for a union. We had excellent benefits and 40 hours per week. The employers were allowed one part time employee per five full time employees. Until, the union got the bright idea to start charging the management for benefits based on hours worked total not number of employees. That resulted in many more members for the union and worsening job conditions for the existing members. The employer didn't really benefit either, because they were now paying for full time benefits for part time employees. They reacted by cutting hours so that that they never paid over time and raising prices. By now, the jobs are just crap. Who benefitted? The union. The president has a 5000 square foot office with a personal hot tub and sauna.

I see AKC as the same thing.

One of the books I recently read was an older book called Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men. I don't know much about Border Collies, but the dogs sure looked different than what I'm seeing with AKC dogs. My brother runs cattle and chooses the non-AKC McNab's.

There have been failing strategies elsewhere even in the UK, here is something recent by UK Kennel Club Chairman and maybe something to think about:-
 
“Individual breeders lie at the heart of the continuing improvement of the health of our pedigree dogs. Therefore, our major health emphasis for the future of pedigree dogs in this country is going to be through the further development of the Accredited Breeder Scheme (ABS).
 
“Currently the scheme, which is now just over four years old, is being reviewed and the KC will be outlining its proposals shortly. To be effective, the scheme must be supported by all responsible dog breeders if it is to be taken seriously by the Government and by the puppy-buying public. Some breeders have had doubts about joining and indicating their willingness to support this voluntary scheme.
 
“While the ABS is not the complete answer, it does give breeders a way of demonstrating their commitment to dog health and welfare. If serious breeders had doubts about joining before the broadcast of the recent TV programme then it is hoped that the importance of having such a scheme was underlined, and the necessity of everyone working together is vital. The KC is also totally committed to promoting the scheme to the wider public and ensuring its success.
 
Breeders should recognise that the alternative to being guided by the KC is to be legislated by the Government or a Government-supported organisation. If it is shown that the dog world is unable or unwilling to clean up its own act then recent events should indicate the way in which such external legislation could go.
 
Information on the ABS see via this link.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/474
.

Stacita, if you liked Eminant Dogs, check out Don McCaig's most recent book The Dog Wars.  The picture on the cover says it all:

Will Do. Thanks.

Stacita

I honestly think parent clubs need to withdraw from AKC until they raise their standards. Perhaps if the breeders of Lab's Shepherd's & Golden's said, "AKC standards aren't high enough we we will register no more dogs until those standards raise," AKC would do something.

 How do parent clubs withdraw from AKC?

 Many breeders ARE leaving AKC which is largely what is causing the problems to begin with. Commercial breeders are now going with APRI, CKC, WWKC and other alternative registeries and because of that AKC is losing a lot of money. To continue to thrive, AKC can not continue to lose money. I fail to see what the problem is with them registering commercailly bred dogs is and always have. They most likely are going to start offering ILPs to mixed breed dogs as well, for the same reason (lots of competing performance orgs, most of them allow all breeds/mixes so AKC is losing money to them).

Stacita, one problem I can think of with parent clubs withdrawing is that other venues sometimes require registration.  Take GSDs for example.  The world championships are coming up in October.  I don't have it with me, but in one of the recent magazines they listed the "rules" and I'm quite certain the dogs have to be AKC registered (registered in their country by an FCI-recognized registry).  Now these are working line dogs, they are NOT what people have in mind when they think of the American show type "hock walkers" etc, but they ARE AKC registered.  So for the parent club to withdraw and take the WDA with it, our country could not compete in the world championships with some of the absolute best specimens of the breed.  That would be a shame. 

Personally, I like to see people speaking out and fighting for change rather than just giving up or boycotting. 

 Brookcove - I love The Dog Wars! I read it and then bought it for my dad for Christmas last year - he had a working-stock ABC Border Collie and is from Northumberland himself, so he absolutely loves the breed. McCraig is very personal and amusing writer as well. - I love his prose style.

My problem with AKC is that they have NO standards other than that the dog be purebred.

I like what they are trying to do in Quincy's area.

Yes, I know that it has never been the job of AKC to monitor breeding conditions or health, but 100 years ago they weren't selling dogs on the web either. The standards of care have risen and the hopes and expectations of longer life have risen too. I believe that many people get an AKC puppy, they are misinformed that this somehow means quality. This misconception is one of the factors in BYB's.

Perhaps the parent clubs just need more control (or need to step up)?  I don't breed so maybe this is a really dumb idea....but what if dogs could only be AKC registered unless the breeding kennel(s) signed the parent club's code of ethics and are in good standing with the parent club?  The parent clubs could interpret and enforce what "good standing" means (I think that would depend on the individual breed - another reason why I think the parent clubs should be tackling these issues, not just the AKC).

The problem with that is that the breed clubs aren't spotless paragons either. I mean, heck, GSDCA accepted Andrew Hunte. And the CWCCA has kicked out perfectly reputable breeders over the color breeding issue.      
 

Pwca

The problem with that is that the breed clubs aren't spotless paragons either. I mean, heck, GSDCA accepted Andrew Hunte. And the CWCCA has kicked out perfectly reputable breeders over the color breeding issue.      
 

Yeah I was just having the same thoughts.... *sigh*

Sorry I read the entire report when it came out, I re read it and have discussed it with a lot of other RR breeders, Owners and Fanciers.  As a whole NO organization will ever please everyone.   While a member of our National Breed Club for mos to the years I have been in Ridgebacks There have been times I was unhappy with different things going on.  I doubt seriously there is a breed club around where EVERY one is always happy and in LUV with each other 100%.  I understand this may tick some of you off, and as we are leaving for the Nationals in less than 6 days and I am going to be swamped I doubt I will try to defend my position... ( it is notlikely I will have the time and energy)  But even with a migraine I really feel the need to add another side to this thread....

I am and shall remain a supported of AKC.  Unlike the other 30 barely heard of pop up registries AKC  has been not simply around but raising the standard of the Fancy , but involving kids, introducing competition opportunities in other activities ... they have encouraged clubs throwing shows to bring in Herding, weight pulling, agility , obedience , rally,  and on and on.... I have been to a couple of the smaller registry events  and frankly I was less than impressed.  The We are way more casual  attitude wears on me quickly. I enjoy dressing to show and NO I do not want to show up in my jeans and sneakers unless it is a match.  I like the fact that to bring in additional income AKC began more than simply breed more puppy thinking, they have an insurance department,  microchipping,  seminars,  the AKC store has a lot of cool things only found at dogs shows for a very long time.   There is a lot more but I am sure the die hard AKC haters are rolling their eyes back so fast in their heads they will end up with a migraine like the one I have reight now.

In the report , they also discuss the loss of dogs since the mid-late 90s peak NOT because the dogs are not being bred But because the various registries who have popped up charge less, and are being used more and more by the people who often have ,,, well let's call them "issues " . Ironically many of these registries demand either a  pedigree established in their own registry  hard to do when you are starting out in a new registry or they want an AKC pedigree .   I know of a breeder no longer allowed to ( don't worry Mods ) register puppies with AKC. This kennel has endless infractions and issues among them endless supplies of puppies and poor living conditions.  The only way you see  the owner at an AKC show is is they have conned a co owner in to registering a dog bought elsewhere and allowing them to show it .  Because AKC would no longer register this kennel's puppies , due to the gosh awful conditions and the endless dogs ending up ill and in rescue AKC lost the 15 to 40 litters a year being registered.  They do have limited inspectors and very long lists ,  To mininmize costs they scaled back on personnel , and now are dealing with the reaction to things taking more time .

 They have welcomed in New and Rare breeds.  Are encouraging the clubs making events more accessable and fun.  Clubs now hold a tour ( so to speak) for the new commers again an AKC way of embracing folks new to showing.  They are funding a big chunck of the fight and working hard against BSL. 

Is showing political at times?? Yes have thoes of us who show gotten discouraged when Pros win and we just barely miss out on the points we wanted ?  Well sure.    But it makes each of us pay more attention, work harder , take classes and IMPROVE. 

It is fine to not want to play in any registry.  But honestly when in the report they reffered to the Macy and Gimbals days it was in the context that , back then  rather than go out and purchase a puppy from un known origins and background these stores who carried only the best quality insisted the dogs they carried be AKC,  dogs with a traceable pedigree .  Well Bred pups.   As time passed both stores got out of the pet selling thinking...they did not go to a lessor registry or a BYB to save money. Yep even Macy's and Gimbles understood there is not much money to be made when doing it RIGHT. 

Times have changed so a simple reading of the report without recognizing these changes is pointless.  Anyone watch Mad Men ??  How weird is it to watch everyone light up a ciggerette every 10 minutes ?  I am anti smoking yet I find the show both fascinating and repugnant at the same time.   Women who barely have an opinion yet run immaculate homes.    This is not going off topic, it is just a frustrated effort to explain what I meant about the changes we have all gone through and how none of us should take a sound bite from a long report without worry it is being taken out of context.

I should be able to explain this better but I guess I can't ,  as I said this headache is a bugger.   But I am a supporter of AKC and the good "stuff" they have done and are trying to do. 

Bonita of Bwana

Pwca

And the CWCCA has kicked out perfectly reputable breeders over the color breeding issue.      
 

 I'm sure that some in the CWCCA feel strongly that breeders breeding DQ colors are not reputable. Kind of illustrates why AKC shouldn't police breeders on an ethical basis. What is unethical to some is acceptable to others.

The system is broken.  I don't know how to fix it, but I think the first step is to admit there's a problem rather than saying, "Oh, it's fine, we just need to be more SUPPORTIVE."

The Bouvier people have a neat program where they've got a seperate resgisry for people interested in preserving/conserving the working heritage of the breed.  Their events are very serious, not "wannabe" programs.  The quality of their program is recognized internationally - they work with FCI and the French working trial organization (not sure what they are called).  They do herding through AHBA, a program that predates the AKC's by many years.  Hardly small potatoes.  They are making real changes and slowly but surely are creating a strong future for their breed that emphasizes the importance of the total package, with the working aspect as the standard rather than just conformation.

The JRTCA (Jack Russell) has a thriving working oriented breed club, as does the ABCA (Border Collies) and ASCA (Aussies).  

In all these breeds, it's the difference between conformation being held up as the highest standard of excellence, and conformation being just something that is done (or not done at all, as in the ABCA).  I think this attitude makes all the difference in protecting the health and genetic stability of the breed.