I have a pretty good feeling about why the AKC was started and why it is still maintained, and all the reasons are probably fairly noble. The problem I have now is that status as an AKC registered dog is being completely abused, and misleading uneducated potential dog owners.
I know this goes back years, but with the advent of designer breeds and their breeders claiming their parents being AKC registered actually means something makes it relavent. I saw a thing a couple years back about puppy mills completely abusing the AKC registry to sell dogs. They give an unregisterable dog anothers info to make it more appealing. They register puppies that die to have extra registrations on hand, etc. I remember the show was able to register a cat, a fish, and several dead dogs.
Obviously that is not what the AKC registry is supposed to be for (tracking lineage, etc), but by them allowing this to go on and allowing people to throw around registry membership is negligent to me. Let them open the registry to everyone (yes even mutts so it can act more as a method for tracking lineage and lines then it currently is) so that millers and other irresponsible breeders can use it as no more of a selling tool then a shelter could.
Now obviously you would have to change a few other things, but I don't think this would have a big impact on what the AKC does, but would have a big impact on the selling power/credibility of millers,etc.
Let me know what you think
