I am completely ignorant about showing and breeding. That said, I want to know why, if the AKC through its influence pretty much sucks all the working ability out of a breed it recognizes, would any breeder of working dogs register their dogs with this organization? I remember years ago, watching Westminster with a friend from Austria and suddenly hearing her howl with disgust when the Show Shepherd went trotting by on the TV screen. This was the first time I heard anything about American-bred verses European-bred GSDs. And then there's the JRT. All of us horse people who owned JRTs were horrified at the notion of recognition by the AKC. Plus the fact that even a guy with a CAT can get a registration from the AKC as well as any puppy mill breeder, makes it seem to me that there's little value to having papers from this organization. So I ask you, why bother with the AKC?

Kitty S.

The AKC in itself is not responsible for the lack of working ability or the structural changes you see in the "show dogs", its the owners/breeders themselves. Each breed has a parent club which sets the standards for the individual breeds, based sometimes, sometimes not, on the standards set by the countries where the dogs came from. When the breeders produce something a little bit "different" than the standards(larger size, more angulation, etc) and these dogs start winning, everyone jumps on the band wagon and wants to breed to that dog. I finished 5 champions of 3 different terrier breeds and saw trends change a lot over a 15 year period. The JRT is a perfect example. The JRTCA is a organization that promotes the hunting qwality of the JRT. They also have conformation shows, uaually judged by Terriermen from Great Britain. These guys Know what constitutes a good working conformation. Consequently, for now, there are still very correct, and classy "working" terriers out there. A number of JRT people wanted to be recognized by the AKC and have gone out on their own and formed the JRTTA which is the JRT parent club of the AKC. The standards they set will disqualify the under 12 inch JRTs, which are recognized by the British and American "working" organizations. Consiquently, in breeding more for a specific look, the are elimination a large groupe of the "working" dogs. The GSD went through this in the 60' and 70s. Now it's the JRT's turn. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I might add, the JRTCA has one of, if not the best,registration systems going. There is no litter registration. The dogs are registered individually at one years of age, and must pass a vets physical showing they are free of certain problems related to JRTs. This helps eliminate a lot of the crap problems seen, and also hidden by breeders.

Unfortunately, AKC/CKC is the only FCI recognized option in the US and Canada. So if you have dreams of sending your dog to Germany for breeding or competing somewhere other than here you have to send the stuff in to the AKC/CKC. I don't like it, but that's unfortunately how it works.

I forgot to mention one more option that you have. Move to another country <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> .

Lauren
Now-now! despite its flaws, USA is still the best! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Kitty
I dont know what type of JRT you have. Lots of horse people have the short legged type. This is recognized by the UKC and I think CKC, but not the AKC or JRTCA. The under 12in dogs I referred to are still long legged dogs. The short legged dogs, while still gutsy, tough little JRTs, are to wide in the front, and not quite as flexable for earth work. Great little barn ratters for horse farms. We call these guys "lowriders". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Oldearthdog,

We love the "lowriders," in fact, those were the kind I was first aquainted with 20 years ago. When I saw the long-legged kind later on, I found them strange-looking at best. To me, they might as well have been fox terriers. I understand now that the long legs and narrow chest are the correct type, but give me a chunk of muscle on short legs anyday! I love this breed. What other dog would keep chasing after a horse even after being sent sailing through the air by a well-placed kick? Sadly, after our 17 1/2 year old JRT goes to the Great Squirrel Killing Field in the Sky, (aka Squirrel Hell) we will not be getting any more JRTs because we no longer have horses or a stable to go to. If a JRT can't be able to go out loose and get vermin, then it's a crime to own one.

And one more thing: what about the UKC? Is it any different from the AKC?

Kitty S.

The UKC doesn't have an agreement with the FCI. So if you want to compete in conformation or their other events then it's great, but their registration won't transfer to other countries. They also recognize the Belgian shepherd as one breed (the way that it's supposed to be done) instead of 3 like the AKC does.

AKC vs UKC:
Both organizations register and administer a data base for purebred dogs; both issue a certificate for a fee. Both offer a several generation pedigree, though AKC will charge extra for it.

The UKC is an older organization and recognizes more breeds than does the AKC. And there are several more differences which can be found on their respective web sites in their FAQ sections:

AKC FAQ's

UKC FAQ's

As mentioned in an earlier post, though many gsd owners like myself may not agree with AKC policies or their processes, they are the only game in town when it comes to being recognized by the SV - the gsd dog org in Germany.

Neither the SV nor the FCI (int'l org of dog clubs) will recognize any U.S.-born dog’s pedigree unless it is registered with the AKC. Only national clubs can be members of FCI and only one per country, and it is the AKC, not the UKC, that has the working relationship with the FCI.
( Not so important if you are not going to breed or show, more important if you are.)

If you would like more info on this subject try this link:

DOG ORGANIZATIONS

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Are the UKC's and the AKC's philosophies at all different? From what little I have read, it's seems like the UKC is more interested in working breeds and recognizes breeds I had never heard of before including dogs typed as "Curs." I saw that they also recognize White Shepherds as a distinct breed.

Kitty S.