Week 2 - Dog Breeds Flashcards

Kennel Clubs and Breeding

• Organizations dedicated to canine affairs, focusing on breeding, showing, and promoting various dog breeds are known as Dog or Kennel Clubs.
• The first Kennel Club was established in England in 1873.
• Crufts Dog Conformation Show is the most notable event hosted by the first Kennel Club.

Purpose and Function

• Kennel clubs maintain breed standards, ensuring adherence to specific traits and characteristics.
• They record pedigrees, creating registries for adult purebred dogs and their litters.
• Kennel clubs set rules for conformation shows and trials and accredit judges.
• They manage breed representation through direct oversight or member bodies.

North American Kennel Clubs

• Key purebred dog clubs in North America include:
  • American Kennel Club (AKC)
  • Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
  • United Kennel Club (UKC)

Breed Recognition and Formation

• Not all kennel clubs recognize the same breeds; they may be similar but have unique listings.
• New kennel clubs have emerged rapidly due to evolving requirements from the AKC.

AKC Regulations and Impacts

• AKC regulations compel breeders to adhere to specific practices, leading to independent breeding approaches.
• Breeders may avoid identifying the sires of litters to bypass AKC scrutiny, impacting registration.
• Inspections and costs associated with maintaining standards can deter some breeders.

AKC Dominance and Global Status

• The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the dominant kennel club in the U.S., holding the largest purebred dog registry worldwide.
• Unlike many kennel clubs globally, the AKC is not a member of the World Canine Organization (WCO), which encompasses 80 countries.

Registration Requirements

• For a purebred dog to be registered with the AKC, both parents and the litter must be registered with the club.
• If parents or litter registration is absent, special registry research is mandatory for determining eligibility.

Alternative Registration Programs

• Purebred Alternative Listing Program (PAL) and Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) allow some dogs, not eligible for conventional AKC registration, to register alternatively.
• Dogs may be ineligible due to being from unregistered litters or having unregistered parents.

Conformation and Participation

• Conformation refers to the observable physical characteristics of a dog as outlined by specific breed standards.
• Dogs enrolled in PAL/ILP can participate in AKC companion and performance activities but not conformation events.

AKC Recognized Groups

• The AKC currently recognizes 8 groups:
  • Sporting
  • Hound
  • Working
  • Terrier
  • Toy
  • Nonsporting
  • Herding
  • Miscellaneous

Sporting Group Characteristics

• The Sporting group contains dogs bred for hunting assistance, known for their alertness and instincts in various terrains.
• Examples include breeds like Brittany, English Cocker Spaniel, and Golden Retriever, with 28 breeds acknowledged by the AKC.

Test your knowledge of dog breeds and canine organizations with these flashcards. Covering everything from the first kennel club in England to prominent events like Crufts, this quiz will help you learn about the world of purebred dogs. Perfect for dog enthusiasts and those preparing for canine competitions!