Editing American Kennel Club

{{short description|American purebreed dog registry}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox organization
|name           = American Kennel Club
|image          = American Kennel Club Logo.svg
|image_border   = 
|size           = 250px
|alt            = 
|caption        = 
|map            = 
|msize          = 
|malt           = 
|mcaption       = 
|abbreviation   = AKC
|motto          = 
|formation      = {{start date and age|1884}}
|extinction     = 
|type           = [[Kennel club]]
|status         = 
|purpose        =
|headquarters   = [[New York City]]
|location       = 
|region_served  = United States
|membership     = 
|language       = English
|leader_title   = 
|leader_name    = 
|main_organ     = 
|parent_organization = 
|affiliations   = 
|num_staff      = 
|num_volunteers = 
|budget         = 
|website        = {{URL|https://www.akc.org/}}
|remarks        = 
}}
The '''American Kennel Club''' ('''AKC''') is a [[501(c)(4) nonprofit]] [[breed registry|registry]] of [[purebred]] dog [[pedigree (animal)|pedigrees]] in the United States. In addition to maintaining its pedigree registry, this [[kennel club]] also promotes and sanctions events for purebred [[dog]]s, including the [[Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show]], an annual event which predates the official forming of the AKC, the [[National Dog Show]] and the [[AKC National Championship]]. The AKC is a non-member partner with the [[Fédération Cynologique Internationale]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Members & Partners|url=http://www.fci.be/en/Members-Partners-89.html|access-date=2021-07-08|website=www.fci.be}}</ref> The AKC recognizes 200 dog breeds, {{as of|2022|post=.|lc=y}}

==History==
In the early 1800s, the English became concerned with the beauty of dogs as well as their function.<ref name="Derry2003">{{cite book|author=Margaret E. Derry|title=Bred for Perfection: Shorthorn Cattle, Collies, and Arabian Horses Since 1800|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hvx4a1wwPwUC&pg=PA58|access-date=June 20, 2013|date=October 7, 2003|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-0-8018-7344-7|pages=48–|chapter=Producing Beautiful Dogs}}</ref> This fad spread to North America, and in 1877, the [[Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show]] began.<ref name="Derry2003" /> Soon after, the need for a regulating body became obvious. The National American Kennel Club, which had been founded in 1876, began to publish and make publicly available its studbook in 1879.<ref name="Derry2003" /> This organization, however, had more vested interest in [[field trial]]s than in [[conformation show]]s, and eventually changed its name to the National Field Trial Association and stopped hosting conformation shows completely.<ref name="Derry2003" />

In 1884, a group of 13 [[breed club]]s, 10 American clubs and three Canadian clubs founded the American Kennel Club.<ref name="Derry2003" /> These 13 clubs pledged "to do everything to advance the study, breeding, exhibiting, running and maintenance of purity of thoroughbred dogs."<ref name="terrible" /> The AKC differed from [[The Kennel Club]] in that individuals could not directly join the AKC; they became members of smaller, individual breed clubs, which were themselves members of the AKC.<ref name="Derry2003" /> When arguments began to develop between the American and Canadian breed clubs in 1886, the Canadian clubs pulled out from the organization and established their own kennel club two years later, the [[Canadian Kennel Club]].<ref name="Derry2003" />{{Clear}}

In 1894, the American Kennel Club began to refuse to allow Canadian dogs without an American pedigree to participate in its shows, following the prevailing trends in American purebred cattle organizations.<ref name="Derry2003" /> In 1906, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ruled that any dogs imported to America who were not registered with the AKC would have to pay a duty charge; this was later changed in 1911, allowing any dog registered with a kennel club in its home country duty-free entry into the country.<ref name="Derry2003" /> Soon after the AKC, CKC, and KC produced agreements that made any dog eligible to be registered with the club in its home country, eligible for registration in the remaining two clubs as well.<ref name="Derry2003" /> In 1909, the group moved to New York and became [[incorporation (business)|incorporated]].<ref name="Derry2003" />

On July 1, 2012, the AKC began to recognize certain titles issued by the North American [[Flyball]] Association. These titles are Flyball Champion (FDCh), Flyball Master (FM), and the ONYX title.<ref>{{cite journal | title=First Things | journal=Dog World |date=September 2012 | volume=97 | issue=#9 | page=10}}</ref>

==Registration==
[[File:Rottweiler Conformation Showing.jpg|thumb|[[Rottweiler]] breed competition at the Reliant Arena American Kennel Club World Series Dog Show July 23, 2006.]]
The AKC is the largest registry of purebred dogs in the U.S. and is the only not-for profit registry, as well as the most well-known and the most influential.<ref name="terrible" /> For a purebred dog to be registered with the AKC, the dog's parents must be registered with the AKC as the same [[breed]], and the litter in which the dog is born must be registered with the AKC.  If the dog's parents are not registered with the AKC or the litter is not registered, an exception may be made if the AKC determines, through special registry research, that the dog is eligible for AKC registration. Once a determination of eligibility is met, either by litter application or registry research, the dog can be registered as purebred by the AKC.<ref>American Kennel Club, Dog Registration FAQ, [http://www.akc.org/contact/answer_center/faq_dogreg.cfm AKC.org], Accessed June 8, 2009.</ref> Registration indicates only that the dog's parents were registered as one recognized breed; it does not necessarily indicate that the dog comes from healthy or show-quality bloodlines, nor is registration necessarily a reflection on the quality of the breeder or how the puppy was raised.<ref name="nbc-rossen">{{cite news | url=http://www.today.com/news/akc-registered-breeders-raising-dogs-miserable-conditions-6C9640008 | title=AKC-registered breeders raising dogs in 'miserable' conditions | work=Rossen Reports | date=May 1, 2013 | agency=NBC | access-date=June 20, 2013 | author=Rossen, Jeff | author2=Patel, Avni}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/sports/many-animal-lovers-now-see-american-kennel-club-as-an-outlier.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 | title=Safety Concerns Stoke Criticism of Kennel Club | work=The New York Times | date=February 9, 2013 | access-date=June 20, 2013 | author=Pilon, Mary | author2=Craig, Susanne}}</ref>

===Foundation Stock Service===
The AKC's Foundation Stock Service is an optional [[breed registry]] service the club provides for new purebred dog breeds that have been introduced to the US and are yet to be recognized by the AKC.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.akc.org/breeder-programs/foundation-stock-service-program/program-home/ |title=Foundation Stock Service® Program Home |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=American Kennel Club |access-date=20 December 2019 }}</ref>

==Activities==
[[File:PembrokeCorgiAgility wb.jpg|thumb|A [[Pembroke Welsh Corgi]] participating in [[dog agility]]. This particular dog is a multi-[[Title (animal)|titled]] [[Champion (dog)|champion]] of agility, [[Sheepdog trial|herding]], and [[Obedience trial|obedience]].|alt=A short-legged, long-bodied, tan dog jumping off the end of a see-saw.]]

===Competition===
The AKC sanctions events in which dogs and handlers can compete.
;Conformation shows
In AKC [[conformation show]]s dogs compete in different classes based on [[Dog breed|breed]] and sex, with breeds divided into [[hound]], [[terrier]], [[Working dog|working]], [[Herding dog|herding]], [[Gun dog|sporting]], non-sporting, [[Toy dog|toy]] and miscellaneous groups.{{sfnp|Morgan|2009|pp=97 & 100-101}} The AKC's premier conformation shows are the [[Westminster Dog Show]] and the [[AKC National Championship]].{{sfnp|Morgan|2009|p=101}}

;Dog agility
The AKC organises [[dog agility]] competitions open to all AKC registered dogs over 12-months age.{{sfnp|Morgan|2009|p=16}}

;Obedience trials
The AKC organises [[obedience trial]]s open to all AKC registered dogs over 6-months age.{{sfnp|Morgan|2009|pp=311-322}}

;Performance dog sports
The AKC organises a variety of field competitions they term performance dog sports, including [[Sheepdog trial|herding and farm dog trials]], [[Nosework|scent work trials]], [[earthdog trial]]s, [[lure coursing]] trials and [[field trial]]s for [[Basset Hound|Bassets]], [[Beagle]]s, [[coonhound]]s, [[Dachshund]]s, [[pointing dog]]s, [[retriever]]s and [[spaniel]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.akc.org/sports/beginners-guide-performance-sports/ |title=Performance Dog Sports |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021 |website=American Kennel Club |access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref>

===Other programs===
{{Main|Canine Good Citizen}}
The AKC also offers the [[Canine Good Citizen]] program. This program tests dogs of any breed (including mixed breed) or type, registered or not, for basic behavior and temperament suitable for appearing in public and living at home.

Another AKC affiliate is AKC Reunite,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.akcreunite.org/|title=Pet Microchip Registration & Lost Pet Recovery - AKC Reunite|work=akcreunite.org}}</ref> formerly AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR), founded in 1995, which is North America's largest not-for-profit pet ID and recovery service.

Another AKC affiliate is the AKC Humane Fund,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.akchumanefund.org/ |website=AKC Humane Fund |title=AKC Humane Fund |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929103648/http://www.akchumanefund.org/ |archive-date=September 29, 2015  }}</ref> which supports breed rescue activities, assists shelters that permit domestic violence victims to bring their pets and educates dog lovers about responsible dog ownership.

The AKC also provides titles for [[therapy dog]]s, after the dogs have been certified by AKC recognized therapy dog organizations and have performed a required number of visits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/akc-therapy-dog-program/|title=AKC Therapy Dog Program|website=American Kennel Club}}</ref>

The AKC also has a program for mixed breed dogs calls Canine Partners. Canine Partners allows owners to register their mixed breed dog to compete in sports and events and receive practical access to pet insurance, AKC Reunite and a complimentary Vet visit through the AKC Veterinary Network.

==Criticism and controversy==
{{criticism section|date=June 2022}}

===Genetics===
The AKC has been criticized for the prevalence of [[genetic disorder]]s in their dogs. As many as 25% of purebred dogs registered by the AKC has at least one hereditary genetic problem.<ref name="terrible">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,163404,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820094419/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,163404,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 20, 2006 | title=A Terrible Beauty | author=Lemonick, Michael D. |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=June 2001}}</ref> These problems cost breeders and owners almost $1 billion in vet bills and lost revenues from stillborn pups.<ref name="terrible" /> Some breed clubs, such as the U.S. [[Border Collie]] Club, resisted applying for AKC breed acceptance due to fears that doing so would be detrimental to the genetics of the breed they represent.<ref name="terrible" /><ref name="McCaig2007">{{cite book|author=Donald McCaig|author-link=Donald McCaig|title=The Dog Wars: How the Border Collie Battled the American Kennel Club|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oJjNVx8SrPAC|access-date=June 20, 2013|date=January 1, 2007|publisher=Outrun Press|isbn=978-0-9794690-0-8}}</ref>

These genetic issues have resulted in the emergence of "puppy [[lemon law]]s" in several U.S. states.<ref name="terrible" /> These laws protect dog owners from genetic diseases that their breeder may have neglected to inform them of, allowing them to get a refund for the cost of the puppy or to force the breeder to pay their vet bills.<ref name="terrible" />

===Health===
The AKC supports some canine health research and has run advertising campaigns implying that the AKC is committed to healthy dogs, but the AKC's role in furthering dog health is controversial. [[Temple Grandin]] maintains that the AKC's standards only regulate physical appearance, not emotional or behavioral health.<ref name="grandin82">{{cite book|title= Animals in Translation|last= Grandin|first= Temple|author-link= Temple Grandin|author2= Johnson, Catherine|year= 2005|publisher= Scribner|location= New York, New York|isbn= 0-7432-4769-8|page= [https://archive.org/details/animalsintransla00gran/page/82 82]|url= https://archive.org/details/animalsintransla00gran/page/82|url-access= registration}}</ref> The AKC itself states that "There is a widely held belief that 'AKC' or 'AKC papers' guarantee the quality of a dog. This is not the case. AKC is a registry body. A registration certificate&nbsp;... in no way indicates the quality or state of health of the dog."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.akc.org/reg/about.cfm|title=About Registration|publisher=American Kennel Club|access-date=April 5, 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110514200307/http://www.akc.org/reg/about.cfm| archive-date= May 14, 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref>

The AKC has no health standards for breeding; the only breeding restriction is age (a dog can be no younger than eight months).<ref name="images">{{Cite web|url=http://images.akc.org/pdf/rulebooks/RREGS4.pdf|title=Rules Applying to Registration and Discipline}}</ref> Though the majority of the 170 breed-specific parent clubs have a health committee devoted to their breed's specific concerns, the AKC prohibits clubs from imposing stricter regulations since the AKC Rules Applying to Registration and Discipline<ref name="images" /> apply to all breed clubs and do not provide an option for breed clubs to extend or override them. Thus, an AKC breed club cannot require a higher breeding age, [[Hip dysplasia (canine)|hip dysplasia]] ratings, genetic tests for heritable diseases, or any other restrictions. Parent clubs have the power to define the looks of the breed, or the [[breed standard]], and may also restrict participation in non-regular events or classes such as futurities or maturities to only those dogs meeting their defined criteria. These non-regular events can require health testing, DNA sampling, instinct/ability testing, and other outlined requirements as established by the hosting club.

In summary, attention to health among breeders is voluntary and not mandated. By contrast, many dog clubs outside the U.S. do require health tests of breeding dogs. The German Shepherd Club of Germany,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.schaeferhunde.de|title=Home|work=schaeferhunde.de}}</ref> for example, requires hip and elbow X-rays in addition to other tests before a dog can be bred.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.schaeferhunde.de/site/index.php?id=604 |title=Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V.: Bekämpfung von HD + ED<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=January 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106071635/http://www.schaeferhunde.de/site/index.php?id=604 |archive-date=January 6, 2007 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Such breeding restrictions are not allowed in AKC member clubs.<ref name="images" /> As a result, some U.S. breeders have established parallel registries or health databases outside of the AKC; for example, the Berner Garde<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bernergarde.org/default.aspx |title=Bernergarde.org |access-date=January 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204143652/http://www.bernergarde.org/default.aspx |archive-date=February 4, 2007 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> established such a database in 1995 after genetic diseases reduced the average lifespan of a [[Bernese Mountain Dog]] to seven years. By comparison, the Swiss Bernese Mountain Dog Club introduced mandatory hip X-rays in 1971.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bshkbs.ch/phpnuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 |title=KBS - 2. Massnahmen<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=January 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928212605/http://www.bshkbs.ch/phpnuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

For these, and other reasons, a small number of breed clubs have not yet joined the AKC so they can maintain stringent health standards, but, in general, the breeders' desire to show their dogs at AKC shows such as the [[Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show]] has won out over these concerns. Concern surrounding the AKC's connections to low-quality breeders has resulted in some dog owners seeking to distance themselves from the organization. In October 2012, Hailey Parker, a longtime [[Coton de Tulear]] breeder, filed a lawsuit (that was settled) against the AKC and cited the AKC's connections with high-volume breeders among the reasons.<ref name="New York Times">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/sports/many-animal-lovers-now-see-american-kennel-club-as-an-outlier.html |title=Safety Concerns Stoke Criticism of Kennel Club|newspaper=New York Times | first1=Mary|last1=Pilon|first2=Susanne|last2=Craig|date=February 9, 2013}}</ref> The Coton's "reputation and business model is based on a disassociation from 'puppy mills' and similar commercial breeding operations", according to the complaint.

The club has also been criticized for courting [[Puppy mill|large scale commercial breeders]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thedogpress.com/ClubNews/AKC/08121-Menaker-Letter_Arthur.asp |title=Thedogpress.com |access-date=December 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215041621/http://www.thedogpress.com/ClubNews/AKC/08121-Menaker-Letter_Arthur.asp |archive-date=December 15, 2008 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/|title=Newsday &#124; Long Island's & NYC's News Source|website=Newsday}}</ref> and for lax enforcement of breeding regulations. The AKC employs just nine field inspectors<ref name="New York Times"/> and critics argue that its inspections are ineffective. For example, the owner of a Montana [[Alaskan Malamute]] kennel approved by AKC inspectors in 2008 and 2009 was sentenced to five years in prison for animal cruelty in operating that kennel.<ref name="New York Times"/> Similarly, an AKC inspector found a North Carolina kennel "in compliance with AKC's Care Conditions Policy" three months before county officers raided the facility and found the dogs in "poor" condition, suffering from illnesses, injuries and living in "unhealthy conditions", according to court documents. A veterinarian told the court that the rescued dogs had ailments that ranged "from serious to severe" and that "most of the injuries appeared to be chronic, having been in existence for a substantial period of time."<ref name="New York Times"/>

Similarly, the [[Humane Society of the United States]] criticized the AKC for not taking a stand against [[puppy mill]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2012/07/akc_puppy_mills_070912.html|title=AKC Fails to Take a Stand Against Puppy Mills|work=humanesociety.org|access-date=May 5, 2013|archive-date=October 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019221602/http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2012/07/akc_puppy_mills_070912.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>  According to the Humane Society's report, "over the past five years, AKC has opposed more than 80 different state bills and local ordinances designed to provide stronger protections for dogs in puppy mills".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/pets/puppy_mills/report_akc_breeders.pdf|title=The American Kennel Club: No longer 'The Dogs's Champion'|access-date=October 7, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194625/http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/pets/puppy_mills/report_akc_breeders.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The AKC does support several health research initiatives. The AKC Canine Health Foundation funded research that led to the mapping of the canine genome (DNA sequence) with grants totaling more than $2,000,000. Sequencing of the dog genome began in June 2003, funded in large part by the [[National Human Genome Research Institute]] (NHGRI) and finished the completed sequence of the entire dog genome at MIT's [[Broad Institute]] in 2005.<ref name="Dog Genome Project">{{cite web|url=http://www.broadinstitute.org/mammals/dog-genome-project/|title=Dog Genome Project|work=broadinstitute.org|access-date=March 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317154024/http://www.broadinstitute.org/mammals/dog-genome-project|archive-date=March 17, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Because people inherit many of the same diseases as dogs, humans can also benefit from health research funded for dogs.<ref name="Dog Genome Project"/>

The [[Orthopedic Foundation for Animals]] (OFA) and the AKC Canine Health Foundation have established the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) to encourage health testing by breeders and provide breeders and researchers with information to improve breeding programs. More than 135 different breeds have specific health testing prerequisites required by their parent breed club.<ref name="CHIC">[http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/breeds.html Caninehealthinfo.org], Canine Health Information Center, CHIC Breeds. Accessed March 16, 2011.</ref>

===Opposition by breed clubs===

*'''Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:''' The [[Cavalier King Charles Spaniel]] Club voted to reject AKC recognition in May 2000 due to the incompatibility of the breed club's no-sales-to-pet-stores rule, while the AKC required such sales.<ref name="terrible" /> The breed club had such a rule to aid in the genetic health of the breed.<ref name="terrible" /><ref name="Derr2004">{{cite book|author=Mark Derr|title=Dog's Best Friend: Annals of the Dog-Human Relationship|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9_EDbatFH9MC&pg=PA197|access-date=June 20, 2013|date=April 1, 2004|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-14280-7|pages=197–198}}</ref>
*'''Jack Russell Terrier:''' In the 1990s, some breeders of [[Jack Russell Terrier]]s wanted to be included in the AKC, but the [[Jack Russell Terrier Club of America]] (JRTCA) opposed the idea on the grounds that the working abilities of the JRT would be compromised by turning it into a show dog with an association dedicated to providing awards and championship status to individual dogs based solely on their conformation. The AKC did accept the JRT into the registry but under the new name [[Parson Russell Terrier]] to distinguish the AKC dogs from the JRT working dogs.<ref>{{cite book|last=Burns|first=Patrick|title=American Working Terriers|publisher=Lulu.com|date=16 February 2006|isbn=978-1-4116-6082-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F_tSEAKM5pMC&q=skunk+toxic+shock+syndrome&pg=PA228|ref=burns2006}}{{self-published source|date=February 2020}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}}

===Lobbying===
The AKC has lobbied dog-related bills. They are opposed to tightening of laws regarding licensing of trainers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Finney |first=Michael |last2=Yip |first2=Randall |date=2023-04-12 |title=License requirement for dog trainers stymied by intense lobbying from American Kennel Club |url=https://abc7news.com/dog-trainer-training-license-american-kennel-club/13114814/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=ABC7 San Francisco |place=[[San Francisco]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Block |first=Kitty |last2=Amundson |first2=Sara |date=2023-06-30 |title=American Kennel Club opposed 450+ bills designed to help dogs |url=https://blog.humanesociety.org/2023/06/american-kennel-club-opposed-450-bills-designed-to-help-dogs.html |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=A Humane World |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of dog breeds]]
*[[List of kennel clubs]]
*[[United Kennel Club]]
*[[Dogs in the United States]]
* [[Portal:Dogs|Dogs portal]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last=Morgan |first=Diane |date=2009 |title=The encyclopedia of dog sports and activities: a field guide to 36 fun activities for you and your dog |location=Neptune City |publisher=T.F.H Publications |isbn=978-0-7938-1275-2}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.akc.org/}}
*{{Facebook|93474569120/}}

{{Kennel clubs}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kennel clubs]]
[[Category:1884 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Dogs in the United States]]