What do you think of the AKC?

The AKC only records ancestry, it is "proof" that your dog is pure bred and if it comes from champion lines. People assume that AKC registered dogs are of better quality, but this is definitely not always the case. AKC dogs can be very inbred due to the fact that many breeds came from a small genetic pool, they can also be just as poorly bred as any other dog. Many backyard breeders and puppy mills breed AKC registered pups.

The only real way to make sure you get a quality pup is to find a reputable breeder. My own Australian Shepherd is pure bred but is not AKC registered. I guess that means she cannot be a show dog in most competitions, and if I wanted to breed her (I don't), some people wouldn't want to buy pups that weren't AKC registered. However, she is within all the guidelines of the breed standard and is a beautiful, healthy, well bred dog.

You're right, it's basically a scam.

There's a BBC documentary on youtube called "Pedigree Dogs Exposed" that goes into this issue and is really shocking. It shows how many "champion" dogs are bred only for looks and have horrible genetic disorders and years of inbreeding. You should check it out!

First,

they are merely a registry. a means for people with purebred dogs to track pedigrees.

They are opening up programs to allow mixes and purebreds that would otherwise be unregistered be able to compete in obedience, agility, etc.


Sorry, but they WILL replace lost paperwork. You have to have the proper information, and you may have to pay a small fee, but you CAN replace lost paperwork.


AKC doesnt have anything to do with the fact that a registered dog not meeting the breed standard. That comes down to the BREEDER. AKC is only a registration service. They do not inspect dogs or litters to verify that they meet breed standard.

Do you know the difference between a Champion and a working dog? A CH is a dog that fits the written breed standard.. it did not compete to proove itself as a working dog. There are registered dogs that compete in working trials, and they will earn a different title. What a dog can or cant do comes down to the breeder, bloodlines and genetics.



AKC is not a scam, but I think you horribly mis understand what AKC is.

The AKC is a registry only, they aren't the breeding police. Even bybs have AKC papered dogs, that's where research on the buyers part comes in. Papers don't always mean quality bred.
And if you lose your papers on your dog, the AKC will gladly replace them if you have the proper info for them to look up such as the name the dog was registered under, or a litter number.

You're right, papers don't make the dog. The quality that went into the dog as far as health testing, showing/field trials done by the breeder is what makes the dog. None of which has anything to do with the AKC and everything to do with the individual breeder.

The akc is just to prove its purebred. Akc does NOT mean the dog is quality. That is the BUYERS job to find a reputable breeder.

Yes, it's a money grab but it still needs to be done. It's the ONLY way you can prove the dog is purebred.

It's a registry, nothing more.

AKC registration only means that the dog has a verifiable 3-generation pedigree. It does not guarantee quality ... AKC (and others) register plenty of poorly-bred purebred dogs, but if the pedigree holds up, the dog is eligible for registration.

Lost papers? I've never had to replace papers, but it doesn't really matter. The dog is STILL registered, and the registration can be verified.

AKC does not 'promote that only registered dogs are pets worth having'. AKC does not register mutts, but nowhere does it state that they consider unregistered or mixed-breed dogs to be inherently worthless creatures.

Your question is akin to wondering aloud why Lexus dealerships don't promote KIA ownership ... because their business is Lexus, not KIA.

IMO, there is so much wrong with your question, that I don't even know where to start. The AKC is a RECORD KEEPING ORGANIZATION OF PUREBRED DOGS!.......period! They are NOT the breeding police. Also, if your registration papers are lost in a fire, tornado or they were flushed down the toilet, the AKC WILL replace them for a small fee, if you have proof that the dog was registered to you to begin with. What I mean is even a verbal proof of will do. You'd would first tell them the breed, the date or approx. date of whelping, your information, color, sex, etc., and that IS the proof that the dog was indeed registered to you. You SHOULD even know the name of the dog's breeder.

As for a purebred dog not even coming close to the breeds standard....AGAIN, ANY dog is only as good as it's breeder, and the AKC has nothing to do with that. They KEEP RECORDS!

How on this God's green earth can you say in one breath that you've seen breeds that don't come close to the standard, and then say that you've seen mutts that excel? Excel in WHAT? Mutts don't have ANY STANDARD, so maybe they've excelled in *potty training?*

While there are many people who agree that the AKC is worthless, I do not happen to feel that way. You are entitled to your opinion, but you better get some facts strait before you start spewing CRAP out of your mouth!

Sorry to be so blunt, but I don't think you know squat.

Add: Oh, and BTW, what ARE mutt breeders promoting? That they are money hungry BACK YARD BREEDERS that don't give a crap about anything but money? They do NOT do any genetic health testing, they do NOT keep records of where there puppies end up, and they do NOT give a shyte about anything after the puppy and it's new owner walk out of the house. They care about MONEY.

Firstly, the AKC promotes all dog ownership and has a program called Canine Partners where mixed breed dogs can be registered and enjoy the same benefits as a purebred registered dog. The AKC also donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Canine Health Foundation (researching canine diseases and cures which would, of course, be available to any dog through their vet) as well as operating the Humane Fund which donates to rescue groups, trains domestic violence shelter workers so victims of domestic violence don't have to leave their dog behind when leaving a bad situation, and funds events that promote responsible dog ownership including spay/neuter clinics.

Secondly, you can use this link to request replacement registration certificates in the event of loss (http://www.akc.org/contact/answer_center/faq_dogreg.cfm). The only reason new papers would not be issued to you is if you are not the registered owner of the dog.

Thirdly, a purebred dog doesn't need to be registered with the AKC to be a purebred dog. Regardless of whether or not you have the registration papers, if you have a purebred dog and know the lineage your dog hasn't changed breeds.

Fourth, there are hundreds of thousands of purebred dogs that don't meet breed standards. Conformation showing exists to evaluate breeding stock. The dogs that best fit their breed standard win and can gain titles. Dogs with higher titles are in higher demand for breeding. Not every puppy that comes out of ideal breeding stock will be an ideal representation of the breed. Think of it this way-both your parents have dark brown hair, blue eyes, are tall and thin. You may have blond hair, brown eyes, short and heavy-set. Does this mean your parents aren't actually your parents? Of course not. Just like dogs that don't meet breed standards are still the true offspring of their parents, and thus, purebred. In that situation, a responsible breeder would only sell the dog as "pet-quality" meaning a spay/neuter contract would be in place and the dog would not be eligible for conformation showing. In this way the dogs that don't meet breed standard aren't reproducing and potentially adding to the numbers of dogs that don't meet breed standard.

Finally, there is no guarantee that any dog will meet breed standard as far a temperament and purpose. They're not machines, they're dogs and they all have individual personalities and preferences. If you say you've seen "mutts who could put a champion to shame" I assume you're referring to performance events such as obedience and agility, because a mutt would not be able to enter an AKC conformation show. You seem to have the wrong idea about conformation showing-it's not a competition to see which dog is the most mellow, best family dog, best guardian, most athletic, etc. It is solely to evaluate breeding stock. Many conformation champions also excel in other sports, but there are also many that don't. There are many mixed breed dogs that excel in performance sports, but just as many that don't.

When buying a purebred dog, it should be because you value the traits of the breed, and it should be from a responsible breeder. If you don't have any specific traits or appearance in mind, adopt a rescue dog-but don't hate on the people that know what they want and know what they're getting when they purchase a purebred dog. Also, you should do your research before spouting off "facts". For the record, I have rescued pure and mixed breed dogs, I have bought mixed breeds from breeders, and I have bought purebreds from breeders-they all have unique personalities and qualities and deserve to be treated as individuals.

opinions are like a -- holes everybody has one

Well you my friend are full of B.S.
My dogs have always been registered with AKC and never in 40+ years of owning and breeding have I or and persons buying our pups had a problem with them.
Registration papers, same as you marriage certf, and birth certf, and deed to house and car titles should always be some place safe such as in a fire proof locked box or home safe.
And yes these papers can be replaced if you locate proper litter and registration numbers.
Can be gotten from breeder.

All this is, is a random rant to try and create some trouble.


Performance registries,,, what in the heck is that.

Why don't you go buy a dog registered with the ConKC.
And stop slamming and bad mouthing the AKC.
The only hate here is coming from you.
Yes you are entitled to your opinion,
but then again so are we.

I don't like it personally. Most people I've seen, register them & then sell them for higher just because of the papers. It's not worth they hype. Not at all.

It's a registry telling your dog is purebred. Nothing more than that.

Interesting...I lost all my papers in a house fire and had no problem replacing them.