AKC Dog Breeds

Dog Breeder and Exhibitor

Ever wonder how certain types of dogs become recognized AKC dog breeds, while others are left waiting in the wings?

AKC Dog Breeds

The American Kennel Club is the largest single purebred dog registry in the USA. Currently the AKC recognizes 153 dog breeds, but there are others struggling to become recognized AKC dog breeds across the country. Worldwide registry programs show over 400 dog breeds, so why does the AKC recognize so few? Sometimes there simply isn't enough interest in a breed to merit recognition. If total numbers of a rare breed are very low in the USA, AKC doesn't see the need for it. If you've ever wondered what the process is like to make a breed eligible for recognition, read on.

First, A Word About Rare Breeds and Designer Dogs

Though some people do not see a difference between so called "rare breeds" and the current craze of breeding "designer dogs", there truly is a difference. Rare breeds are breeds actually in development and working towards a single type, or old breeds that have fallen out of favor, resulting in a drastic decline in the population. Designer dogs is actually a nice label for the practice of interbreeding two distinct breeds. Before the world became so politically correct, dogs of this nature were referred to as mutts or the proverbial "Heinz 57". Designer dogs are not being bred to develop a single breed type, but are simply catering to what the dog buying public is willing to purchase, and one has to give credit for the clever marketing ploy that persuades buyers to part with hundreds of dollars for the very same dogs that shelters often cannot give away. Not to say that designer dogs don't make fine companions, but the difference in breeding goals should be noted.

How to Become Official AKC Dog Breeds

Rare breeds hoping to one day become recognized AKC dog breeds must first be sponsored by a National Breed Club, otherwise referred to as a parent club. The purpose of the parent club is to bring the breeders together, form a breed standard, and begin breeding for dogs that match that standard, building a viable breed population that can sustain itself without the introduction of further breeds into the gene pool.

Rare Breed Registry

Individual rare breeds applying to be recognized by the AKC must be recorded through an accepted registry, either by the National Breed Club set up for that rare breed or through the AKC Foundation Stock Service. This provides a way to accurately track numbers as the breed's population grows. At last check, there were actually 49 rare breeds listed with the Foundation Stock Service. While the registry furthers the breed's goal of becoming one of the recognized AKC dog breeds, not all rare dogs breeds will make it all the way to full AKC recognition. Sometimes interest wanes, and breeders give up breeding. Without a driving force, the rare breed progresses no further.

Foundation Stock Service Requirements

National Breed Clubs must provide written documentation of the breed as part of their entry into the Foundation Stock Service, including:

A written breed standard approved by the parent club.
A history of the breed's evolution, including mention of any breeds that were combined in an effort to produce the current specimens of the breed.
Photos of the dogs representing the way the parent club believes the breed should look.

All of this information is turned over to the Staff Executive Committee which will take everything into consideration and either deny or allow the rare breed to move forward with the recognition process.

AKC Dog Shows

If the rare breed is accepted into the Foundation Stock Service, the parent club can then apply for permission to compete in the Miscellaneous Class at AKC dog shows. To be approved, certain conditions must be met. The parent club must have a minimum of 100 active members, and the registry must contain at least 300 dogs of the rare breed. Each of these dogs must have a three generation pedigree on record, and all dogs listed within those pedigrees must be actual specimens of the rare breed itself, not any of the foundation breeds that were used to create the rare breed. The registry must also show a wide distribution of the breed across the USA, at least in twenty states. AKC representatives will make observations of the breed, and a final decision will be rendered whether or not to allow competition at this time. If competition is approved, most rare breeds will spend anywhere from one to three years competing in the Miscellaneous Class, as AKC tracks the breed's growth and participation in the competitions.

In the meantime, the National Breed Club is also expected to grow and hold practice matches, eventually working up to national specialty shows. The club is also expected to hold judge's workshops to help educate AKC judges about the breed's desired conformation and disposition.

Receiving Official AKC Recognition

It's a long road, but if all the requirements are fulfilled along the way, a rare breed can move through the process to become one of the fully recognized AKC dog breeds, with rights to full registration, and competition in regular AKC dog show classes. Admiration must go out to the individuals work so long and hard to achieve this recognition. Without them, where would the world of purebred dogs be?