There are currently 173 American Kennel Club (AKC)-recognized breeds and counting. Since January 2009 three new breeds gained AKC recognition the Irish Red & White Setter, Pyrenean Shepherd and Norwegian Buhund. Many people ask with over 400 dog breeds known around the world why does the AKC only recognize certain ones? The answer is simply that there isn’t a big enough representation of that breed or there aren’t enough people interested in that breed in the U.S.
The breeds that gain AKC recognition most likely have been in existence in other countries for hundreds of years. So they are not new breeds, just new to the U.S. A good example is the recently recognized Neapolitan Mastiff, an ancient war dog for the Roman Army that became recognized in the U.S. in 2004.
Below is the road to becoming an AKC-recognized breed. Keep in mind that the AKC is a “club of clubs” meaning dogs are not members and individual people are not members, Clubs are members. Therefore a National Breed Club (i.e., the United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club) is responsible for taking the necessary steps to having their breed considered for AKC-recognition and thereby eligible to participate in AKC events.
Road Map to Becoming an AKC-Recognized Breed:
--The breed must already be recognized by another acceptable international registry.
--A National Breed Club must be established.
--National Breed Club applies for a listing to the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service (FSS) by submitting a written history of the breed, a written breed standard and photographs.
--Once a National Breed Club has been accepted into the FSS the next step is to gain eligibility to compete in the Miscellaneous Class.
--To be eligible for the Miscellaneous Class, the following general criteria must be met:
1. A demonstrated following and interest (minimum of 100 active household members) in the breed (in the form of a National Breed Club).
2. A sufficient population in this country (minimum of 300-400 dogs), with a three-generation pedigree. Dogs in that pedigree must all be of the same breed.
3. Geographic distribution of the dogs and people (located in 20 or more states).
4. AKC must review and approve the club's breed standard as well as the club's constitution and by-laws. Breed observations must be completed by AKC Field Staff.
National Breed Clubs can remain in the Miscellaneous Class for one to three years. They must continue to submit records for the number of dogs and litters recorded, and the number of dogs who have entered events since being eligible to compete in the Miscellaneous Class. They are also responsible for holding match shows and educational breed seminars. When all criteria are met, the information is presented to the Board of Directors for full recognition.
So there are particular steps to gaining AKC-recognition but the first step is interest of a certain breed in the U.S. and the formation of a National Breed Club to protect and advance the breed in this country.
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