Jenn, you HAVE been reading this thread, haven't you?
Your last post presents a stark contrast between the two registries. I said earlier that as long as UKC wasn't cozy with millers that it would be good enough for me. It turns out they stand out above AKC in other ways, too. Thanks for putting the mission statements up together.
This goes a little off topic, but I'd like to throw it out there. In my searches, I've come across a few sites that are against the AKC for ruining breeds. The basic argument is that once a breed is recognized by AKC and gets into their conformation events that some of the original characteristics of the dog are being lost in a pursuit of looks over function. I've seen several examples, mostly of the hunting and working breeds. Some of these breeds have been replaced due to their having lost the abilities they were once noted for.
Although not considered a working breed, the Coton de Tulear clubs actually have a petition seeking for the breed to NOT be recognized by the AKC as one of the 5 Coton clubs is seeking recognition. Here's a little info on it.
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" There are five National Coton Clubs in the U.S. They are all unique and provide a needed balance for dealing with issues concerning the breed. Many Coton owners belong to several of the clubs. One club has announced its decision to pursue AKC recognition. The major advantages proposed for AKC recognition is that the show venues are more convenient. The major disadvantages that have emerged from a focus group is that an AKC parent club loses much control. The registry is lost to AKC and lumped together with the pedigrees of the large volume breeders which AKC solicits at the puppy auctions. There seems to be a widespread decline in the health of breeds which become recognized by the AKC. Many Coton lovers do not want to support and promote an organization which actively supports and legitimizes puppymills and pet shop puppies from which much of their revenue is said to derive. We present a petition to the Coton Community to register a protest against these practices."
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From this link...
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/429/p...ion-for-cotons