Promoting FSS Breeds

Many FSS breeds are able to enter AKC companion and some performance events excluding Conformation of course, so are FSS breed clubs and owners taking advantage of the opportunity to enter these events?

Are FSS breed owners actively walking around the other rings and educating other breeders as well as the general public that might be in attendance about their respective breeds?

Hopefully we can exchange ideas regarding the best way to take advantage of these events to promote our breeds.

Breaking Chains

When Rare breeds are brought to the US and litters are produced, What steps are breeders taking to ensure they do not "break the registration chain"?

What does this mean?

AKC-FSS is only a RECORDING service so every puppy produced in the US is not really registered with any FCI recognized kennel club (until breeds achieve AKC full recognition) so subsequent offspring are unable to be exhibited, exported or bred from anywhere outside the US during the waiting period.

As we all know, AKC-FSS recording helps move our breeds closer to Full AKC recognition, but what are people doing in the meantime?
Some breeds have been waiting for over 20 years to move into AKC Misc. classes.

Have your Breed parent clubs made arrangements with the kennel club of origin for your particular breed to maintain registration on all offspring produced in the US?

Are US breeders just using AKC-FSS recording and just waiting until AKC finally recognizes their breeds?

To AKC or Not...that is the Question

Everywhere you look, people are always complaining that "AKC Ruins Breeds". Personally, I disagree with that assertion. Lets talk about how breeds become "ruined" in the US.

1. Most new breeds in the US remain isolated - Isolated breeding programs (20+ years in many circumstances)
2. Most Rare breed owners only have access to "shows" that allow Rare breeds (Private For Profit corporations). These "judges" are not familiar with the various rare breeds so they cannot be relied upon to select the best examples of the various breeds.
3. Rare breed dogs born in the US, with few exceptions, are NOT allowed entry into European (FCI) shows due to lack of official Registration. So domestic stock is unable to be evaluated by experienced judges or compared against other members of their breed.
4. Professional Handlers. As most of us know, a Professional handler or "top handler" can take a Pet quality dog of any breed into the ring and immediately make it up as a Champion in the US. Dogs are over-groomed and judges start awarding top placements to inferior animals based on who is holding the leash and how much over grooming has been done. (example: Westminster 08' - Glen of Imaal terrier)
5. Judges. If judges do not reward inferior dogs and witheld points from undeserving animals, breeders would not continue to produce them. Breeders produce the type of dogs being routinely chosen by judges. As has been proven with German Shepherds, even the most correct dogs are consistently placed last because the judges no longer know what a correct animal looks like, acts like or moves like. Don't lay the entire blame on breeders, educate the judges and hold them accountable for poor selections early on to prevent this from happening.

Okay, so I've discussed how breeds become "different" in the US so why would we want to move our breeds into Full AKC recognition?

• To save endangered breeds from extinction
• Safeguard our respective breeds from anti-breeder/anti-dog legislation that is moving rapidly across the US
• Unrecognized Rare breeds have no legal protection against manditory spay/neuter laws unlike recognized AKC breeds (become equal to labradoodles under laws)
• Educate others about our hidden gem breeds and how they have assisted man throughout their existance
• Full registration recognition so American born offspring can be evaluated against excellent examples around the world to maintain integrity

Rare breeds have a place in society, we just have to let American society know they exist. Europeans are used to seeing Rare breeds, American's are more isloated.

Thread away

Blog Launch

Welcome to Rare Dogs !
Please join us daily to discuss various topics that are important to Rare dog breed owners such as:

AKC recognition process
Importing dogs
Breeders
Anti-Breeder Legislation
Promoting Rare Breeds
Education seminars
Networking with other breeders
Registation concerns

What topics do you want to start discussing?
Thread away and Invite your friends to join us !!