Good point.

I think the exposure AKC could give bite sports would be explosive, to say the least. I saw my first Schutzhund demo 20 plus years ago by Tom Rose. It fasinated me then, but I also recognized the commitment and effort needed to be sucessful at it, and do it right. In the past year since I've made the decision to get into it, I know it will still be three more years before I can put in that commitment it deserves. That's why I'm starting my effort now. I just don't see that happening if AKC "recognizes" bite sports. I think I'm rambling(as usual) Time to hit the sack.

Organizations like the AWDF and USA perhaps have had the best outcome of events from their efforts toward FCI recognition as a result of this move on the AKC's part.

The end result is the exact same had these smaller special interest groups such as the AWDF, had hoped for.

If, big IF, Protection Sports are to be viewed as acceptable then it would be very likely that the majors that represent traditional and FCI member countries based protection programs will also be part of the consultant process.

Like wise. Let's say Germany or any of the other many countries in Europe that have individual programs. The AKC would do the political correct thing and speak with the governing bodies of sport dogs and certainly ask who were they dealing with in the USA in as much as the well managed groups.

Fact is the AKC will have been well versed in the who is who and where a very long time ago.

Nothing dramatic will transpire short term but things are changing.

What will be change for the good is that there will be a funneling of resources and a central body to begin the task to develop an identity in the International Community.

I hope it rubs off on to the Politic's of the CKC here in Canada.

Several years ago The Canadian Kennel Club made application during an FCI congress being held in Argentina. They were turned down as a result of not accepting more working related activities.

The Canadian Kennel Clubs responce at the time was that they would be back at a later date to re apply.

This would indicate to me a willingness to see what they the CKC could do to improve in this area.

Jerry

I can't imagine AKC adopting any sport that would resemble Schutzhund as we know it today. I think it would be very watered down in its requirements.

What worries me, more than the handlers who may attempt this with any old dog, is the decoys who couldn't get work in another organization but certainly will with AKC and would end up screwing up a lot of dogs. I don't think AKC is equipted to do this right...they juggle a lot of different things in dogs (registration, events, awards, etc) and none of their systems are perfect. I think if you can get a cat AKC papers, they should worry about fixing that then moving on to bigger projects.

What I think they may do is something similar to their newly adopted Versatility titles. If I remember correctly, your dog must complete a certain number of titles in Obedience, Agility, and Tracking. The more titles you earn in each, the higher level of a versatility title. It encourages people to break outside a single sport.

What I can see AKC doing with the working title is develop a watered-down, public-acceptable version of protection (I doubt any bitework would actually occur) and then they want you to do their obedience and tracking titles. Possibly a bid to get schutzhund enthusiast in their organization, and make the dog breeders happy by having an attainable "working title" without all the work that goes into a Schutzhund I. Entry fee's for AKC, good advertising angle for dog breders, work for the not-so-dog-wise helper, and more control for the AKC.

The only thing left in the dust is those dogs who actually have working ability, actually have obtained titles through other organizations, and now that they were not earned through AKC will not hold as much bearing.

This cannot be good from my perspective.

So it will be Sch for the ACK conformation dog?

Rottweiler- fancier's comment on the decoy issue will be a big one. I've only been looking at schutzhund for a short time, but QUALITY helpers seem to be a big issue in training a working and/or sport dog. With the vast number of AKC shows on any given weekend of the year, where will the helpers come from?

Jerry,
Your view on AKC involvement is utopian! Man, the history is that groups like USA and the GSDCA have fought tooth and nail over representation internationally by the WUSV. Part of the stumbling block has been over the AKC and their lack of involvement (to the point of not even returning letters inquiring about their role or lack thereof from SV officials from my understanding). The net result will be just enough involvement to make FCI recognition for AWDF be blocked while the international community watches to see if AKC can and will come into compliance with FCI regualtions. They won't but just the appearance of doing so will cause the international community to wait on them since they are THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB and FCI will recognize only one overarching body for the breed clubs and AKC only recognizes only one Breed Club/breed. This leaves USA and AWDF and associated members high and dry.
Also remember that the AKC flatly refuses to recognize titles offered by other bodies......sooo there goes the titles you earn on your dogs.
I see this as a mess. You see it as an oportunity but you really need to look at the Border Collies, and JRT's and other breeds that are a wreck now that AKC has invited them into the fold. Invite SchH or similiar sports into the AKC and they'll be a wreck.

I would think that if the AKC were to start offering a working dog title similar to schutzhund, that it would follow a similar pattern to agility. Altho there is an international standard for agility (heights of jumps, types of jumps, number of divisions by size of dog, etc), the AKC does not follow it. They have their own rules, but it doesn't affect their ability to send a team to the FCI world championships each year (the team members just have to prepare themselves for the different conditions/rules). And there are several other, smaller organizations in the US who continue to offer agility titles under their own auspices. So U.Sch. clubs of A., as well as the DVG clubs, could continue to offer competitions/titles, while AKC waters down the program to accommodate the masses. Hopefully it wouldn't have to affect the "purists", just as the watered down AKC agility program doesn't affect the purist agility competitors in USDAA one bit. In fact it helps them by bringing tremendous public exposure for the sport and bringing tons more people into the sport, then the "serious" folks hear about USDAA and jump ship from AKC.

Jerry
I, personelly have seen it happen. Border Collies, Australian Shepards, JRTs,are just a few breeds I've witnessed become watered down after being accepted by AKC. The AKC has a hearding title for the tending stile used by GSDs, but from what I have heard, its also a very watered down test. The Border Collie,at one time,had to be from working parents to be recognized by the original club. Now,people look for fly ball and agiliyt titles on the papers. JRTs can get earth dog titles from AKC. Fun for Joe Aerage, I guess, but if you've ever hunted with a REAL terrier, it's not even close. IMHO, this is what a AKC ScH title will be, fun for Joe Average, but not real.

Ok heres a question, what would happen if the AWDF got accepted?

Robert