AKC discussion....
 

I was reading this long thread ( I'm sure you know the one I'm referring to) that had a lot of talk concerning a particular registry and how they are encouraging puppymillers to profit by not having any "code of conduct rules" in place nor does it ask any questions about parentage. As I read through this thread I was left with more and more questions that I didn't know the answers to. I went on a quick hunt looking up info on AKC and as to what they do to ensure good breeding practices and frankly I was flabbergasted by what was popping up.

I was always under the impression that the AKC was an elite club, that it had strict rules and they it made sure all the members dotted their "I's" and crossed their "T's". After my search I'm now even more confused as to what exactly does the AKC do to keep members on the right track, so to speak.

Some of the questions I have are this....

If the Hunte Corp. is the biggest broker in the U.S.and it gets it's pups from known puppymillers and they Hunte Corp. has strong ties to Petland which is known to sell puppymill pets, why does AKC have strong ties to both of them?.... I thought AKC abhors such practices? .

This is the Hunte Corp. site prominently stating they register with AKC as a selling point...
The Hunte Corporation - Registries

Which brings me to another question...If AKC does not approve of a breeder, broker or known mill can the AKC refuse to register any dogs from that person?

These links talk about how they feel the AKC is lowing the bar for their financial gains from millers......I realize the first link is dated 2006 but it still shows there was some dealings between the parties....

AKC Endorsing Petland and Supporting Notorious Puppy Mill Hunte Corporation

SOLD OUT BY AKC, Petland Pet Shop Contract, Puppy Mills and High Volume Breeders, Editorial by Barbara "BJ" Andrews

This link shows a Ron Menaker, chairman of AKC board of directors, admitting to registering mill dogs and how profitable is has been....

- Terrierman's Daily Dose -

This link is an article from The Philadelphia Inquirer quoting a few former AKC investigators admitting that AKC did not do as thorough of inspections as they would like the public to think, suspensions were rare, and when they did find problems they where essentially told, ...."get the registration money, don't make waves. The bottom line is the money.'"

The Philadelphia Inquirer Exposes AKC Greed - Companion Animal Protection Society

I wanted for others to give their views as to how they feel that the AKC would associate itself to these parties......Do you feel the AKC has tarnished it's reputation as the golden registry by doing so? ...

I would like to hear some other opinions on this issue because I just had no clue til today.........

I'll be interested to hear what people have to say. I am still learning so much about the state of dogdom in the US. I feel like it's a shame that the public knows so little, but at the same time, I've been reading for months and still feel like I have a ways to go. It seems complicated. :confused:

Sadly AKC is a registry and not a protector of our precious dogs. I remember when the lightbulbs went off and how upset I was...here is this "non profit" organization that makes milllions of dollars and only has 7 people to inspect kennels. I have also posted where AKC (taken right off of their website) entertained the Hunt Corp because they want their registries and they do not care how these animals are raised.

I have many articles that I could post but while I believe AKC tries to keep their registries honest (even though it wasn't until 1999 they wanted blood samples and only if they have 4 litters a year) I don't believe they do anything to help protect the dogs.

I believe changes will happen but it will start in England and Europe before it moves over to the US. Look into the Crupps shows and what is happening in England and how their (AKC) is trying to do things for the health of the dogs and not for how the dogs look.

Thanks for answering this issue....I was doing some more reading since I posted this all I can say is ....what a shame.......

I had no idea this kind of thing was going on. I would imagine a lot of others don't either.....It appears AKC has joined the very people is has been claiming they don't want to support. If I remember correctly AKC tells breeders to not sell their litters to pet stores and yet they want to work with the Hunte corp and Petland ..:confused:

I've seen many times on this forum people giving AKC glowing reports and they claim AKC to be the best registry out there, but if these allegations are true then I feel that AKC is no better than the all others.

These two links just blew me away......

- Terrierman's Daily Dose -

- Terrierman's Daily Dose -


I wish I had put this out on the general or breeders section for some breeders opinions on this issue.....

Maybe you could ask admin to move it to the breeding section. I'd be interested to hear what more people have to say.

Thanks for the suggestion. I would really like to hear more opinions on this issue, I'm really curious and saddened to see these articles. I wonder what long time breeders think of the AKC registry......

Admin, could you move this to the breeders section....Thank you....

Well, i was looking on AKC a night or so ago trying to find something about a breeder that has recently moved to my town. I read thru articles and minutes of meetings and the whole nine yards. i was as surprised as you to find that yes, AKC does know there are puppymills out there and have even done kennel inspections on some of the larger ones and found them faultless. made no moves whatsoever against them and in fact, praised them to the other board members. just goes to show you.

I'm no expert but did know this and wondered too. I was and still am sadly dissapointed with the AKC. We need them - yet they don't stand for what they are susposed to stand for - too many contradictions.

It's the sole reason I never formally registered my girls. Chanel almost was, but I pulled out. I saw no reason to give them any money for a piece of paper since I had NO intention of ever breeding.

I'd be interested in what the long time breeders say too.

I am still perplexed as to why people give praises to AKC and claim it's a wonderful registry and the best we have but yet I'm finding articles where they're not only accused of but they also admit they have no problem registering puppymill pups.

I see so many people on this forum state they would never give their money to any organization that is a participant in any way shape or form in mills.....Yet they register through them and encourage others to do so.....:confused:

Dee, your a breeder, do you find that the AKC is severely lacking in upholding it's own standards of care guidelines and ethics by wanting to do business with brokers and commercial breeders...? Do you feel AKC it not the prestigious registry it once was?



After doing some reading about this I'm glad I never registered my last yorkie......:(

yes, I do and like everyone else, hope they will wake up and smell the coffee. i know many people on here think that if the dog is AKC, it's quality. that is just not so. i didn't look at the dates on the reports I was looking at but i think they were like a year or two ago. I am hoping that this is not something they have always done. but i bet it is and is just now coming to light as peoplee get more computer savvy.

I can tell you have really thought this through. You bring up some very valid points. Often times you see that people proclaim they will not support ABC, only to see that they support XYZ and other organizations/companies that work in conjunction with them. I have found that many times (and I'm sure I'm guilty of the same) people condemn and action/organization/company, but only refrain from supporting it when it's convenient for them.

It's hard to tell when statistics are thrown around but I've seen the number as high as 80% of the registered litters at AKC come from puppymills......This is a cash cow for them if it's so......No wonder they tried to cozy up to Andrew Hunte......

If you read the year end financial reports from AKC (posted on their website) you will learn alot. You might want to also get added to the dog press (The Dog Press - The ORIGINAL Unaligned News By & For Breeders, Exhibitors Judges, and Handlers in The Dog Show Fancy) as you will learn a great deal from breeders and the judging system (or lack of). Once you understand the pet industry is over a 94 billion dollars industry then things start falling into place.

You will get very angry as you read many of the articles BUT I think there is still a place for a good registry. At this time and place it is AKC but even that is not a guarantee that you have a purebred dog but it is probably the best. I know that AKC is fighting for their life but as far as I am concerned they are going to lose unless they start protecting dogs. People are more computer saavy and all the information is out there if people want to dig. I believe dogs are coming out of the livestock stage and people are starting to demand kinder ways of living for our pets. ARe we there yet...NO ... but it has already changed in Europe, England and I think eventually it will come to the US. The pedigree business is BIG business (look how much $$$ they make and spend in a year AKC) and really start to question some of these amounts. They make it sound so pretty (marketing 101) but people are starting to see through their BS and demand more from this organization.

I think you must remember that the AKC is not a law enforcement agency, and they can require no better kennel conditions than what individual state laws demand. When states demand better kennel conditions, and pass stricter laws, the AKC can then say that XYZ kennel is not meeting those conditions, and suspend or ban them. The AKC can suspend oar band for other reasons, but this often has more to do with record keeping and purebred lines. You know, "Whose the daddy?" The AKC has it's flaws, but most of these larger kennels are USDA licensed and the USDA is an advocate for the "farmer" and really tries diligently to get the farmer to comply with regulations, they aren't looking to suspend anyone. Furthermore, when the USDA learns that a kennel is AKC registered, they pretty much abandon their inspections because the AKC is stricter, but this puts more responsibility on the AKC and more of a financial burden, as well. I always encourage pet owners to get involved with the AKC, and register their dogs, I believe pet owners as well as good breeders can help the AKC to become a better club, and a more outspoken proponent of helping to pass good breeding legislation.

This is why we must address the puppy mill situation on several different fronts. We need to support responsible breeding laws at a state level, we also need to readjust our thinking concerning commercial breeders, I'm not sure we will ever do away with them, but we can improve them enough so at least the dogs are tortured. We can encourage people to only register with those registries that actually do routine unannounced inspections of all breeders, not just some, and actually do suspend breeders. We can also inform people that it does cost some money to produce a healthy quality dog, and don't support anyone, unless you are willing to see the kennel conditions for yourself. The AKC probably approves kennel conditions way below my standards, and you should set your own standards for this, but don't allow dogs to be raised in a situation that you wouldn't want your pet to spend the rest of its life.

American Kennel Club - AKC Board Meeting Minutes

Financial Report
James Stevens, Chief Financial Officer, gave a report:
Total annual revenues for 2008 of $66.4 million were 1.6% below the prior year. 2008’s total operating expenses of $63.6 million were 2.6% higher than 2007. This resulted in an operating surplus of $2.9 million for the year, which was above budget, vs. $5.5 million in 2007.
The market value of our investments depreciated during 2008 by $18.7 million or 30.7% due to the dismal performance of the stock market last year.
Consequently, 2008’s bottom line reflected a net deficit of $15.8 million. This contrasted with a net surplus of $10.4 million in 2007.

This is a not for profit organization and I believe they can do a better job protecting the dogs with this kind of revenue.