How
much do AKC papers really mean? If a dog is AKC registered it must mean
it is one of the best representatives of the breed. Right? Wrong! It
must mean AKC recognizes this breeder to have quality healthy puppies,
right? Wrong! It must mean at the very least the puppies were raised in
a clean, healthy environment, right? Wrong!
AKC papers
must mean the dog is of good quality.
This is
not true. In fact AKC registration papers only mean the parents
are registered with AKC. AKC does not regulate this in any way.
They do not see photos of the parents. AKC can not testify to the
quality of the dog, only that its parents were AKC registered and their
parents are AKC registered and so on.
How a
puppy becomes AKC registered:
Picture AKC
registration as a family tree. As puppies are born they are added to the
tree when breeders send in money and information. AKC IS ONLY A
REGISTRY. NOTHING MORE.
Breeders
fill out a form with the mother and father of the puppies, with
their AKC registration numbers.
The
breeder signs testifying to the fact that these two dogs were bred
and the puppies are the result of that breeding.
The
breeder then sends AKC money to add these puppies to their
database and BAM the breeder gets AKC papers and numbers for each
puppy. No questions asked.
AKC
then makes more money off the puppy buyer because they send money to
AKC to register the puppy in their name.
Does AKC
papers AND a pedigree make a dog a good representative of the breed? NO!
To obtain
a pedigree all a breeder or dog owner has to do is send AKC MORE money
and they will access their database and print out their record of a
particular dogs family tree. You can get as many generations as you are
willing to pay for. AKC puts a stamp on it and BAM you have an OFFICIAL
pedigree. This is only a record of what AKC has in their database.
An AKC
registered dog with a pedigree only means that the breeders of this
particular "family" of dogs did their homework and sent AKC
money. It does not mean the breeders of the particular dog
"family" did their homework and ensured all the dogs in this
"family" were,
healthy
and free of genetic defects
have
good temperaments
have
good structure and conform to the standard for that breed
Don't let
be fooled by breeders throwing around the terms, my dogs are AKC
registered and have pedigrees. AKC registration papers do not attest to
the quality of a dog, nor does a pedigree.
EXAMPLE:
When you buy a house there is a deed to the house. Would you buy the
house after seeing the deed? Would you know this is a good house just by
looking at the deed? Would you make the commitment to buy a house just
because it has a deed, or would you want to see it and do your homework
to make sure this is a good sturdy house that is not going to fall down
in a few years?
AKC
registers thousands of litters
Every
year, thousands of puppies are registered with AKC. The majority of them
are poor quality because selling puppies is a way to make money to many
people. Having quality dogs requires a breeder to invest money and time
in their dogs. A good breeder does genetic health testing and spends
hours going over pedigrees and learning all they can about their breed.
To breeders who are in it for the money, AKC papers are only a
means to jacking up the price on their puppy. They figure without them
the puppy will fetch less money.
OK, AKC
papers do not attest to quality but at least they prove a dog is
purebred, right? WRONG!
Again,
it only mans AKC has a record of your dogs family tree. The tree that
breeders say it is. AKC operates on the honor system, they just take the
breeder's word for it. It is not uncommon for a breeder to have two or
more breeds. Lets say breed A accidentally hooks up with breed B.
OOPS!!! Does the breeder just cut his loses and sell the mixed breed
puppies without papers or does he do the unthinkable? You guessed it....
UNTHINKABLE!!! The breeder is in it for the money. He has a male and
female of dog of breed A and a male and female of dog of breed B.
Instead of accepting he was irresponsible and made a mistake, he uses
papers from his stud dog breed B and his female breed B who
is pregnant and BAM... he gets AKC papers and numbers for his mixed
breed puppies.
If this
happens once in the family tree it dilutes the line and this is why you
can have one "Shih Tzu" look totally different from another.
This is where buying from a reputable breeder comes in. Reputable
breeders "preserve" the lines and keep them clear of
"mistakes" A reputable breeder makes sure the genes in a
give line stay fixed and produce the traits that each breed standard
calls for. It is the presence of these fixed genes that make a dog
purebred, not AKC papers.
AKC
catches on
AKC has
finally come up with a program to help stop this practice. Effective for
litters born on or after July 1st 2000, they have implemented a DNA
testing program where all frequently used stud dogs are required to be
DNA tested. Any stud dog used more than seven times in a lifetime or
more than three times in a calendar year must be tested. They send the
breeder a kit in the mail, the breeder swabs the dogs mouth and sends it
back. AKC puts the DNA record on the frequently used stud dog's file.
If a
consumer suspects their AKC purebred puppy might not be so purebred,
they can contact AKC and have a DNA test done to prove it. Teh breeder
would suffer severe consequences or even be banned from AKC.
The only
problem is, what if a breeder uses their dog sparingly and no more than
seven times or less than three times a year? Documents can still be
falsified. No one will ever know.
Puppymills
follow the rules:
Puppy
mills are a big money maker for AKC. Of all the breeders they stand more
to gain from AKC than anyone. They are only in the "Business"
of selling puppies for the money. AKC papers mean more money for the
same amount of effort on their part. All they have to do is send AKC
money and follow the rules and AKC gives them the right to say their
dogs are purebred?????? Not even mentioning the moral dilemma here,
puppy mill puppies are NEVER good representatives of the breed and many
suffer health issues to numerous to mention. See my page on puppy mills.
www.shihtzukisses.com/puppymills.htm
WHY
BOTHER WITH AKC PAPERS?
The
presence of AKC papers does not make a dog purebred but, the absence of
them indicates an unknowledgeable breeder from the get go. The absence
of AKC papers is a red flag for the consumer to take heed. If a breeder
claims they use another registry for their dogs...STAY AWAY.
In closing
I would just like to warn you, If you wish to purchase a purebred puppy
do your homework on the breed you are thinking about. You would not
adopt a child without investigating the child's background and learning
about any health issues he or she may have. You would not commit to
loving and raising that child without being certain you were making the
right choice for you and your family. Why would bringing home a new baby
puppy be any different. You are committing to a life. When you purchase
a puppy you are making a promise to that puppy that you will love it and
take care of it FOREVER. Don't be another statistic, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!
Bailley's
Blog - Bailley was diagnosed with Cushing's
in November of 2014. We lost Bailley 8/15/17
This
is a record of our journey and how I chose to treat her. It is my hope
others will find comfort and answers.
