AKC's Standard Reply to Inquiries

Note where I have taken the liberty of highlighting specific comments of interest.

Pay close attention to how many times they repeat themselves on certain things. 

Also pay close attention to #6 as in their own words they are calling 90% PLUS of the breeders that register with them NOT reputable.   AKC however is NOT stupid and they are well aware that WITHOUT those UN-INVOLVED BREEDERS that their doors would close in very short time as their coffers would run dry.

It's funny how THOSE BREEDERS that AKC actually deems as NOT Reputable use the fact that their dogs are AKC registered as a selling point and to down other breeders not using AKC.

While I am involved in Breed Clubs and also Show I do not feel that I'm any better than any other breeder who isn't but "Makes a HONEST EFFORT" in producing quality dogs.

I've yet to be in a Breed Club that was the one paying for, feeding, studying the genetics behind my dog and actually watching from generation to generation the efforts of my time consuming, money gobbling, hard won efforts.

I've yet to go to a show where I was ever asked the HEALTH of my breeding stock.

So in this authors opinion you can take #6 for what it's worth:

ABSOLUTELY and WITHOUT DOUBT SQUAT!

Hello,
The American Kennel Club does not license or endorse anyone engaged in the commerce of selling purebred dogs and, therefore, has no control over the business practices of those involved in such transactions. Membership in The American Kennel Club is comprised of independent dog clubs located throughout the United States. No individual persons are members of the AKC.

While The American Kennel Club attempts to foster sound breeding practices through education and through the funding of research, and while many breeders offer various guarantees with respect to the health of dogs, our jurisdiction is limited to the practices one must follow to ensure proper identification of dogs registered with The American Kennel Club. There is a widely held belief that "AKC" or "AKC papers" and quality are one and the same. This is not the case. AKC is a registry body. A Registration Certificate identifies the dog as the offspring of a known sire and dam, born on a known date. It in no way indicates the quality or state of health of the dog.

Anytime someone looks for a breeder, I provide the following information. The AKC does not license, endorse, register, or recommend any breeders or kennels. The only listing of breeders that we publish can be found in each issue of the AKC Gazette. Information on the AKC Gazette can be found at http://www.akc.org/gazet.htm. Advertising in the Gazette is accepted only for dogs registered with the AKC. Advertising is not accepted from dealers who acquire dogs for resale. Publication of advertisements in the AKC Gazette should not be considered an endorsement of the advertiser by the AKC. You should be able to locate a copy of the AKC Gazette at your local bookstore.

For breeder information you should contact the breeder referral person for the breed's National Club. A listing of the National Clubs, by group, can be found at http://www.akc.org/bredclub.htm. You can also contact a local show or obedience club for information. A listing of clubs, by state, can be found at http://www.akc.org/geolist.htm.

How do you know if the breeder you have contacted is a person of integrity committed to the betterment of their breed? Here are a few guidelines to help you make that determination.

The American Kennel Club, a not-for-profit organization established in 1884,maintains a purebred dog registry, sanctions dog events and promotes responsible dog ownership. The American Kennel Club does not license or endorse anyone engaged in the commerce of selling purebred dogs and, therefore, has no control over the business practices of those involved in such transactions. Membership in The American Kennel Club is comprised of independent dog clubs located throughout the United States. No individual persons are members of the AKC.

Buyers should be certain to check all materials relating to AKC registration, health, quality and stud agreements with breeders, sellers or stud owners before making any decision.  While The American Kennel Club attempts to foster sound breeding practices through education and through the funding of research, and while many breeders offer various guarantees with respect to the health of dogs, our jurisdiction is limited to the practices one must follow to ensure proper identification of dogs registered with the American Kennel Club. There is a widely held belief that "AKC" or "AKC papers" and quality are one and the same. This is not the case. AKC is a registry body. A Registration Certificate identifies the dog as the offspring of a known sire and dam, born on a known date. It in no way indicates the quality or state of health of the dog.

For more information, you may want to consider contacting the breed's National Rescue Network (note: not all breeds have a rescue contact person). If you are interested in books concerning your breed, you can contact the AKC Library in our New York office for information and advice. Below is some information on the National Rescue Network and the AKC Library. *National Rescue Network:

Each breed's rescue contact person (if available) can be found at our website. A listing of rescue contacts, by breed, can be found at http://www.akc.org/rescue.htm. The purpose of a purebred rescue program is to take in stray, abandoned, relinquished and/or impounded purebreds; to provide them with foster care, health and temperament screening; to nurture them and offer an opportunity for rehabilitation; to spay or neuter them; and eventually to place the rescued purebreds in new homes.

Purebred rescue organizations are made up of folks who care deeply about their breed, and who are experts in all matters concerning their breed - IE the breed's strengths and weaknesses, health issues, best training methods, grooming how-to's, temperament, etc. Because of this, they are well-equipped to analyze, rehabilitate and place each dog in the type of home that is best for the individual dog.

Rescue organizations are careful to screen prospective homes, sometimes including follow-up inquiries and visits, and do their utmost to make the best match between a dog and an adoptive family. If you are interested in a purebred who can become a loving pet, and you do not intend to show or breed your dog, you may want to give a rescue dog a second chance for a safe and loving home.

*AKC Library:
The American Kennel Club maintains one of the largest libraries devoted to dogs in the world. The Library presently contains approximately 16,000 volumes. The collection includes bound periodicals, foreign and domestic Stud Books, art, literature, juvenile books, videos, a stamp collection, and a bookplate collection. The Library also maintains records for AKC's extensive collection of fine arts, and vertical files of clippings, magazine articles, archival material, and photographs. A set of bound AKC Gazettes, the official publication of the American Kennel Club, from 1889 to the present, as well as all AKC Stud Books are also easily accessible to researchers.

A primary activity of the Library is answering requests for information that cannot be handled by other AKC departments. The Library is service oriented, and the staff makes every attempt to provide as much information as possible. While AKC does not recommend or endorse grooming and training schools, dog foods, breeders, etc., the Library will give patrons information to help them make an educated choice in these matters.

The American Kennel Club Library
260 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
e-mail: library@akc.org
phone: (212) 696-8245
fax: (212) 696-8299

The Library is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Thank you for your interest in the American Kennel Club and have a nice day.