Removing/changing AKC registry???

[mulroony]

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

[GSD]

I would like to see the AKC make some changes, but getting rid of them will do nothing but make it worse IMO. I mean they have loads of bogus registries no and all you have to do is say a dog has papers or its parents have papers and you'll have a wave of naive people looking to buy your dogs. They could be sold with toilet papers and they would still sell. I think the AKC does an OK job, could be much better, but compared to what would happen, and what is happening already with other registries I don' think the AKC should open itself up anymore. I htink they should have breed wardens and more inspections, and have people declare their intentions when they're buying an animal so that animal can be tracked. They of course would need too much cooperation from breeders and it would increase their costs by i can't even imagine how much.

[Novel]

Mulroony ~
This is actually a great topic, but demands more thought than I am able to give right now.

GSD~
I agree about the breed wardens. In rabbits you still need the registrar to actually physically see the rabbit before it can be registered, and we all know that rabbits breed, well, you know... like rabbits.

[k9hullio_sam]

I agree as well. The AKC should have a separate section for mutts, and keepng track of their lineage would be a very smart idea. The breeder warden are also a great idea. This would not only make the dogs in the registry more legit, but also could stop puppy mills, and potential puppy mills. This would be hard to do thought, because it will take a lot of money and time to get done, which many people don't want to put out. BUT, I am completely for the idea of widening the AKC.

[Novel]

Is it possible that each breed club could help with the registration/ kennel inspections? This would take some of the pressure off of AKC and who better to inspect the dogs than the club. However I can see quite a few minuses to that too... Political factions in a breed could war with other successful kennels and whoever has the power of registry inspection could be at an unfair advantage or make it more difficult for other kennels.
I don't see the reasoning for following the pedigree of a mutt. It lends the "designer breeds" more credence when they don't deserve it. The same mutt shelter dogs (not meant derogatorily) are going to continue to be unpedigreed because they don't know who the father is in most cases. Again, I think it puts more interest in the "designer mutts" for no good reason.

[TribalRats]

What a great topic, I just need to give it thought...must go drink coffee to be able to manage said thought...will be back.

[mulroony]

Novel - The designer dog issue had not crossed my mind in this arguement. I think for 95% of people getting designer dogs the fact that the parents are AKC registered is enough validity for them, and I think having these dogs grouped by the AKC in the same category as any other mutts might take some steam out of them.

I was not thinking that the AKC would be more involved in checking the validity of its memberships if it expanded, but rather loosen up its admitance with new classifications maybe. I just think the AKC openning up like this would make it a lot easier to track breeding more accurately so we could better find a solution to pet overpopulation. I see it as allowing us to better visualize the major problem regions that are creating lots more pets then are homes available so those areas can be targeted w/ greater education.

I know I am also one of many mixed owners who wishes they knew more about the history and lines of their dogs. I am not asking to brag about being part of the AKC or doing any shows or anything like that, I would like to know lineage of my pups though, which is rarely possible for mixed breeds currently. I wish I could find out who my pups parents were to ask their owners if there are any genetic disorders I should be watching for. Heck I would just like to know what breeds my Shelby is...

[trident]

this is a good topic to talk on i will think on it and get back on it i think it is a good idea to track all dog mix, d.b or purebreed i would be one of the first to put my dog in the program

[Shalva]

I need to think more about this but wanted to point out one thing....
Mulrooney you mentioned the AKC and memberships.....

well the akc doesn't have membership..... the akc is nothing more than a registering body...... thats it...... they don't determine quality or good or bad breeding.... all they do is register dogs .... period.... there are no members.... you don't join .... and perhaps that is the issue in and of itself.....

the AKC is a registering body and nothing more.....
I am not sure that I want the AKC to get involved in quality..... I have a friend who is making some breeding decisions that I don't agree with.... in my mind its not a good breeding... is she responsible yes.... are her dogs purebred... yes.... but she is making choices that I wouldn't make.... so how can we determine what is good and bad breeding.....

You can join the CKC (can. kennel club) and become a member..... the same as you can become a member of a local breed club.....

my other concern in just my thinking at this moment is .... how does this solve the problem...... ???? and who pays for it??? because right now I spend enough money on dog stuff.... the fees for registering a kennel name just went up by $75 and shows are $25 and puppy registrations are oh I dont remember .... and litter registrations are whatever they cost..... and I am just wondering who is going to pay for this new system..... and then how will it really change anything....

that having been said I need to think about this more.....
S

[mulroony]

Shalva - Sorry memberships was the wrong word to use. I was refering to dogs it had registered. I was not thinking of them getting involved in breeding and quality, etc, but rather changing their thinking a bit.

I know their main purpose is to track lineage, but because of their popularity of their name and people not fully understanding what it means for a dog to be AKC registered bad people have misused the AKC. I don't see why if they kept the same fees, but openned the registry to all dogs they could not continue to function. They would grow a bit, but I have to assume the increased number of registration fees would cover that.

The big issue I have is that it seems like a lot of BYB or Millers are partially so successful because they use AKC registrations like it means something. Openning the registry to everyone would remove this feeling of importance, still allow responsible breeders, showers, etc, to do their things, and add some perks for those of use who have mutts, or other non-registerable, dogs.

[Shalva]

so the question is..... do we change the AKC or do we further educate the public.....
I absolutely don't think that reputable breeders do a good job of educating the public.....my neighbor just got a golden puppy that i helped her find.... he is related to my connor.... and her comment to me was "if I didn't know you, I would have had no idea how to find a good breeder" and its true..... shoot the average person doesn't know how to find a dog show..... down the street from me they hold dog shows and USDAA agility trials.... yet there are no signs up that this is happening and if you didn't know what uSDAA was you wouldn't venture in.....
to me that is the problem.....
not changing the akc...... but educating people and making ourselves more available to the average person.....

just some thoughts for the moment......
s