What does AKC mean to you?

Question

Does it mean high quality?
Does it mean that your dog is a good example of his breed?
Does it simply mean that it is known that your dog is purebred?

Seriously - I want to know. All these people - especially as we approach Christmas time - are talking about breeding their AKC registered dogs. I want to know - what does AKC mean when it comes to breeding? Does it really mean quality? Good temperment? Good conformation?

Does your dog being AKC registered automatically mean you have the "go ahead" to breed your dogs?

Answer 1

AKC registration simply means the dog is registered as a purebred.

It gives NO indication of quality.
It gives NO indication of whether a dog is a good example of the breed (dogs that are purebred that have disqualifying faults are STILL registered)
It doesn't even REALLY mean that the dog is absolutely purebred (if someone without integrity claims that two registered dogs were bred together even KNOWING that their mixed breed mutt might ALSO have bred the b*tch all the pups still get registered.. AKC now requires DNA for frequently bred dogs...which is one of the reasons puppymills are no longer registering with AKC)

AKC registration does not indicate a proper temperament for the breed nor does in indicate that the dog even LOOKS like its breed (conformation).

In my opinion, noone who has not researched the breed, been deeply involved with its rescue (which will teach a LOT about a breed) and who has not spent time learning HOW to properly breed dogs, whelp and rear pups should be breeding.

I am saddened when I see pups of my chosen breeds priced very low and still not able to sell... Their "breeder" obviously had no clue about quality (or didn't care)... and the pups (eventually the buyers.. and usually the shelter or rescue) are who end up suffering... while the breed itself takes a hit as a poor quality dog is shown as an "example".

Edit: Happy Rat- AKC is a registration service ONLY. The issue is idiots who buy poor quality dogs from backyard breeders because they don't want to pay for a decent dog from a responsible, reputable breeder.

Answer 2

AKC is a registry that keeps records of pedigrees and breedings. This is not to say that they couldn't be defrauded by a dishonest breeder, but if the dog is from an ethical breeder, you can have faith in the accuracy of the pedigree, which is important if you consider breeding the dog. One step is to always study the pedigrees of the two that are being considered. Recently, they have begun to use DNA as a means of positively identifying dogs and their pedigrees. The good breeders are already using this quite extensively. I doubt if the BYBs, even if they have AKC registered dogs, will go to the extra expense. Although AKC registration does not guarantee that the dog is top quality, has the temperament you seek, or conforms to the breed standard, you can bet that the very best ones in a breed are registered. It's step one, but you still have to evaluate the dog itself. Unfortunately, less than ethical breeders will try to use that as a selling point, top notch breeders assume you know that their dogs will be registered and don't make a point of if.

AKC also sanctions various kinds of competitions, not just conformation shows. There are also tracking trials, obedience, rally, junior showmanship and other kinds of competitions that they sanction.
Note to Stulisa42 about conformation shows: You are mistaken, it's much more than about appearance. The dog is also judged on structure by observing its movement and through hands on examination, and its temperament is also judged. A dog that does not display a good temperament in the ring does not go far at all. The whole purpose of conformation is to identify the dogs which best exemplify the standard of that breed. I've you've never actually been to a dog show, you should attend one and talk to the owners and handlers. I think it would be quite informative.

AKC is also involved in legislative issues, such as BSL, which may affect your right to even own a dog, in educational efforts, in supporting rescue organizations, and many other aspects of the dog world.

In terms of breeding, having an AKC registered dog does not automatically make it a good candidate for breeding. You put your dog up against the standard in conformation showing, and that is the way to identify the ones that are most likely to contribute to the improvement of the breed. Then you might be in a position to consider a breeding, but there would still be a lot of work and thought that would go into deciding which two dogs should be mated. But to go back to the first point, if you have pedigrees that you can trust of both dogs (the registry function of AKC), then you're in a position to make much more informed decisions about breeding than otherwise.

Answer 3

For me, AKC registered means that my dogs are purebred. You buy an AKC registered purebred doesn't really mean that this dog will be exceptional in the show ring. My first AKC registered sheltie is a pet now because she doesn't turn out the way I want her to be and she's going to be spayed. You can never know about canine genetics.
I understand your point here. I've been seeing more posts ask about breeding their AKC registered dogs. They don't know that AKC registered dogs do not mean that these dogs have the qualities for breeding. You can have a dog who's the runt of the litter and AKC registered. You need to study the breed standard and know how to play the game. I've seen some AKC registered dogs but they are from bybs. Does it mean that they're good quality? I don't think so. People have to realize that when they look for a AKC registered dog, they need to observe and interview the breeders how well they know about the breed. They have to be patient and not rushing to buy a puppy. I think it's worth to wait to buy a good quality puppy.

Answer 4

AKC stands for the American Kennel Club. It is the largest and most respected dog breed clubs in the USA. When a breeder has puppies, the dogs are registered. Most breeders will register the dogs with the AKC, thus the dog will have "AKC Registration". The AKC is very strict as to how breeders keep the conditions for the dog, etc. So, each year, the dog breeder is inspected. A breeder can lose AKC breeding rights if the inspection shows that the dogs are not well taken care of, etc. Also, the AKC makes the breeders have DNA for all males and keep very good records of puppies. This is so that the bloodlines are not crossed and to keep the integrity of the dog breed. If a breeder does not want to deal with all of the AKC elements, they can register a dog with CKC (Continential Kennel Club) or APRI or others. However, these other clubs are not strict like the AKC. A person can simply send in a photo of a dog and based on just the photo, the club can say "Yes, that is a purebred dog". Anyone who wants to show their dog in conformation events (the big dog shows), has to have an AKC registered dog. For other events, a CKC or other registered dog is allowed.

Answer 5

I'm not a breeder, myself .. Just dog lover.

When I got my Shih Tzu puppy .. She was actually about to be a pound dog. They were actaully admitting her. her parents had papers and everything. They just couldn't keep her. Who I got her from was a dumb backyard breeder.

I took her, saving a life! I registered her into AKC. It doesn't mean anything to be .. Except that she's a real purebred Shih.

I don't breed, I don't show .. Just the fact that I have an AKC registered dog.

I would never breed her, because I know that there are millions of dogs that need their lives saved everyday! So why add the number?

AKC = Purebred in my opinon.

Answer 6

Assholes Killing Canines

Seriously, I've seen more "AKC" registered dogs that look NOTHING like the breed standard than I could count in a life time, I think that AKC registration is a joke and I think more backyard breeders get pups sold by advertising AKC than anything else, I definitely think AKC plays a MAJOR role in the back yard breeding movement, and they are being completely negligent by not having higher/stricter standards for registration and registration of litters...AKC is a business, it mainly exists to make money. AKC has all levels of dog breeders, but I would say from expierence that only 25%, and that's being generous, are in any way responsible breeders.

The world would be a better place without AKC registration!

Edit: There is a long standing reputation, even against common sense, that AKC did, at one time, equal quality...I don't know, maybe back in the 50's or something, and I think that a lot of people might still be unaware of the things people are doing, what "back yard breeders" and puppy mills are, because those things just didn't exist in the grossly negligent way they do now...maybe I think this way because I was raised with the idea, my parents taught me that "registered" dogs are way better than "mutts" but over the years I have learned several very bitter lessons that AKC is in no way a guaruntee(yes I know it is merely a registration service) But it makes me wonder WHY is there even an AKC? Why is it even open to the public the way it is if only a small group of people are actually breeding and showing quality animals?!? and WHY are people paying $400 for one unhealthy specimen of a dog just because they still have the once good reputation of AKC in their minds when there are many mutts at the shelter who are in much better health? Doesn't AKC realise what's going on? Why don't they publish more information and try to get the word out? (I'm checking the AKC site...) I don't know, blaming AKC is easy, because people use the name to make money and use animals, and I think AKC should be a bit more pro-active about stopping this and offering registration to people, that it should in some way be linked with criminal records of people who are convicted of animal abuse so that these people aren't able to register dogs, and that AKC will report them if they do try to.

Answer 7

Paperwork of any kind is no reason to breed your dog. AKC papers just means that your dog happens to be a purebred animal. It doesn't convey any special quality on the animal, it doesn't mean they are anywhere near breeding quality. I would go so far as to say that VERY few AKC registered dogs are actually worthy of being bred. Breeding worthiness has to include: Health checked for all inherent genetic diseases, OFA, PennHip, CERF, Conformation and/or working titles and a bomb proof temperament and even then should only be done by people who have a breeding goal in mind. A solid reason for breeding their dogs other than to make a quick Cristmas time buck.

Answer 8

To me, AKC means that you have a better chance that the dog is a purebred, as compared to the "other" bogus registries.
However, AKC registration alone does not mean that a dog is a good example of it's breed. It does not mean that it should be bred. It does not mean that it should be shown. It ONLY means that the chances of it being "pure" are higher than not.
Everything else comes after that. It MIGHT be a good example of the breed, it MIGHT have good temperment, it MIGHT be part of a carefully thought out breding program.

Answer 9

NO WAY! Have a dog that is properly registered with the AKC is only the first step in having a dog worthy of breeding! You still have to show the dog to prove it's of fine quality, then you have to health and genetic test to ensure no genetic defects that could be passed on to a litter are present.

All having AKC paperwork means is that your dog has a pedigree, a history, that can be traced. AKC doesn't equate to breeding quality. It's only the first step in a long line of costly investments to get to that point.

Answer 10

AKC is a registry only..it has nothing to do with breed standards, breeding policy, etc..these are up to the parent clubs of each breed as well as their affiliate clubs.
In virtually every state there are breed clubs & kennel clubs..these are the organizations that should be doing a whole lot more to insure better breeding practices and protect their breeds. They are the ones that need to "police" breeders and make sure it is being done right.