[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

Rachel -- You asked why dogs that meet the standard cannot just be registered as AKC? I would like to answer that. You can even take a mixed breeding and get some puppies that look like pure-bred dogs. They may even mature into dogs that meet the standard. But their DNA still contains parts from both of its parents! Some of the registries will take a picture of that dog and register it. Now, an unsuspecting newbie to breeding that just wants to breed for warm fuzzy puppies, breeds that dog with another "purebred" -- say that "purebred" was the product of a similar mating. Suddenly the puppies just do not look right. Some may be really off but some may look similar to a purebred pup. More unsuspecting customers buy these puppies and they start to mature looking NOTHING like the standard, nothing like the customer had in mind......Now, maybe they needed a small dog for the space they had, maybe they had another small dog that needed a like playmate, maybe they had a lease that only allowed small dogs and suddenly they had a 15 pounder! (I use this only as an example, it could be turned around for someone wanting a large dog and it winding up being too tiny too). The same sort of breeder that does this usually does not care about temperment either, so these puppies may wind up being aggressive, furtive, not easily trained or socialized. Now multiply this by all of the people breeding like this. How long do you suppose we could keep a yorkie looking like a yorkie? How long do you think we could keep all of the wonderful characteristics that were painstakingly bred into the Yorkie over many, many years?

When you speak of breeding, you have to look beyond how it affected the one puppy you are looking at. How is it affecting the future of the breed? Also keep in mind that many genetic problems do not surface for a year, two or longer. Just because someone is fortunate to bring home a healthy puppy at a few weeks of age, does not mean they will not find problems over the long haul.

You also said that the puppies in pounds and shelters are not purebreds. I think many have told you that is not true. Many of the purebreds are picked up by their breed Rescue organizations before you might see them in the pound. There are several Yorkie Rescues represented by member here on YT. They can tell you that there are never enough to take care of all of the Yorkies turned in for one reason or another. Many of the Yorkie mixes are the result of exactly what you were asking before. Why not register all those that look like Yorkies as AKC -- because many will have puppies looking like those mixes you see in the pound.

Then you go on to say it is dog owners not dog breeders fault for the dogs in pounds and shelters. Ask how many of those dogs are there because they did not turn out the way they were advertised. Supposed "Purebred" puppies with dubious registries not looking like they should, having temperment problems, health problems, genetic features the owners did not want. Should the breeders not share in that blame? I think so -- a customer has the right to believe their Yorkie will grow up to look like a Yorkie and be healthy.

Not all AKC bred dogs will be perfect either and some of them may find their way to a rescue. The registry is only one aspect of what to look for when researching for a well-bred pet. But at least AKC provides for rules, regulations, inspections, follow up and not only that -- a portion of your money goes for public information, animal rights lobbying, etc....

BTW you also said: "i'm sure with AKC the kennel chooses the full length name bases on the lineage of the dog." and that is not true -- AKC allows the new owner to pick the name of the puppy as well. It is tradition to include the kennel's name but not required. Maybe it would be a good itdea to have an open mind more often than being so "sure" of things you are new to.

Thanks for the information you have a lot of knowledge and i appreciate that very much!