American Kennel Club Breeds Overview

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a non-profit organization that registers purebred dog pedigrees. While they are not the only organization that registers purebred dogs, it is the largest and the most well-known. American Kennel Club breeds have to meet specific standards, including good breeding practices, and have a traceable lineage.

In addition to registering canines, the AKC promotes canine health, responsible dog ownership, and rights for dog owners. They also sponsor the AKC Eukanuba Championship. This event is held annually in Florida and is by invitation only.

American Kennel Club Breeds

The AKC recognizes more than 150 breeds that are divided into eight different groups. The organization does add breeds to the list on occasion, but it is a time-consuming process.

The eight different groups are sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, herding, and miscellaneous. The sporting group is comprised of bird dog breeds, while the hound group consists of hunters who find prey using either sight or sound. The terrier group hunts vermin and digs out their homes in the ground in order to retrieve their prey.

The working group is made up of dogs that pull sleds, guard farm animals or guard property. The toy dog is small breeds, and the herd group is the breeds that herd livestock. The non-sporting group is breeds that don’t fit among the other groups, while the miscellaneous group contains breeds that are not yet fully recognized by the AKC. Usually, the breeds that are in this category are moved to another group once they met specified qualifications, such as good breeding practices.

How to qualify

In order for a puppy to qualify as an American Kennel Club breed; both parents and the other puppies in the litter need to be registered as the same breed. Breeders will register the litter when the pups are born, and a list of breeders can be found on the AKC website.

It is important to note that a registered dog is not the same as a show dog. This registration process also doesn’t guarantee the health or quality of the dog. The AKC has certain specifications based on appearance that qualify a dog as a part of a breed, not whether the parents are show dogs or if the puppy is in good health.

Some opponents of the AKC claim that their insistence on specific physical traits and lineage encourages inbreeding. While the Club doesn’t enforce any health policy, they co-founded the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) to help breeders create healthy breeding programs.

The AKC website (www.akc.org) has a lot of valuable information about dogs, dog breeds, and the promotion of healthy dogs. They offer a pet insurance plan and other services to help dog owners afford proper health care for their pets.

Despite its opponents, the AKC encourages dog owners to see their pets as companions and to take care of their dog to maintain its well-being. Too many dog owners don’t understand the responsibilities that are involved with dog ownership, and the AKC tries to make sure that when they purchase a new pet, people do this with their eyes wide open. This greatly reduces the instances of pet abuse and abandonment by owners who find that having a dog takes time and effort.

American Kennel Club breeds include some well-known and recognizable dogs, such as retrievers, poodles, German Shepherds, and beagles. If you are interested in finding a particular breed of dog, you may want to visit the AKC website to find registered breeders in your area.