Dog shows, dog shows, and more dogs shows. This is the primary public image of the American Kennel Club. However, the AKC does much more than parade well manicured dogs through a ring for viewer enjoyment. They endorse, sell, and sponsor various products that meet the organization’s specifications. The charity sector of the club contributes money and resources to animal welfare causes throughout the U.S. Whether it is the ongoing television viewings of their national programs, or breed shows at the local level, the AKC has its hands in almost everything when it comes to pure bred dogs. Their registration is the backing to have if you’re looking to breed, show, or sell dogs and puppies. The AKC logo is a welcome brand to any product on a retail shelf. For many, the AKC can do no wrong.
Lately, though, in rescue communities across the state of Pennsylvania, the AKC has been a target. Why? In 2008, Pennsylvania pioneered new animal breeding laws when it passed House Bill 2525. This bill not only sought to hold breeders accountable for the conditions of their animals and kennels, but helped to shut down many of the state’s puppy mills. Long known for its breeding mills, Pennsylvania was the source of many questionable dogs. We saw them in mall pet stores, corner stores, and flea markets with creative breed names masking the unconventional mixes and poor quality. Schnoodles, Chugs, and other mixes became common place. The demand for these designer breeds led to a ramping up of “production” in puppy mills. The Dog wardens lost control of the kennels, and many animals were forced to breed often, and live in squalor. When the state proposed, and passed, the new bill, it was cheered by animal activists everywhere.
So why is it that the AKC isn’t on the side of 2525? An organization that touts itself as a patron of pure breeds and defender of all animals wants the implications of this law investigated. When the enforcement of this law started, licensed kennels in the state were cut by over 60%. Good breeders, with intentions of breeding for the better of the bloodlines, and not just for the money, complied with the new regulations. Dogs were taken off of chicken wire floors, provided with upgraded living conditions, and treated more humanely. Bill 2525 even goes so far as to require animal rescues to meet new specifications. And the AKC doesn’t seem to like this heavy hand of the law. Maybe it’s because PA AKC registrations are falling as a result. If the local Beagle breeder can’t produce one hundred puppies a year, then those puppies cannot be registered, and the AKC loses potential registration moneys.
House resolution 89 came into the public eye of February 2011. Supported by the AKC, this law aims to revisit the Puppy Mill regulations of 2008. According to the AKC’s internet page, their interests are for the good breeders of the state. However, the initial law did not put these breeders out of business. Instead, 2525 choked the puppy mills in the state of Pennsylvania, and did a lot to discourage new mills from opening. In short, this was a win for most people. Those who stand to challenge the law are not out to change things for the betterment of the animals, despite what might show in online print.
“The AKC is extremely concerned about the well-being of dogs and takes a very strong line on animal cruelty. We advocate for legislation that ensures the health and welfare of dogs is protected, without creating undue burdens on the responsible dog breeders who take good care of their animals and provide citizens with healthy, well-socialized puppies.” (Taken from www.akc.org)
If the AKC really wanted to continue a line of well socialized, well bred, and healthy puppies, they would stand behind the decisions of 2525. These laws supported good breeders, and provide consumers better piece of mind when it comes to purchasing a pure bred puppy. And while mall stores continue to push sickly dogs with non-AKC, three letter registrations, the continued enforcement of these kennel regulations will change their sales practices over time. We need not revisit the law and reduce the grip on breeders. Instead, we need to support the great breeders, kennels, and rescues that went out of their way to comply with the new laws. These are the organizations and businesses that the AKC needs to be aligned with. Puppy mills are profit mills at the expense of the animals. And, if the AKC continues to push for rights of the mills, then they too should be a nameless three letter designation, in time.
If you’re not concerned with fancy letters behind your animals’ names, then consider adoption. There’s a great myth that shelters are full of mutts. In reality, local shelters are full of homeless animals, pure bred and mixed. Recently, we welcomed an older fluffy Pomeranian into our home. Weeks later, an elderly man approached my wife, telling her that Sweet Pea was perfect breed quality. She was found wandering the streets of Easton, PA, not in a high end pet shop. We didn’t go out of our way to “order” her from a breeder; we just fell in love with her sad face in a shelter. And she’s no rarity. If you don’t find what you’re looking for in a shelter, open up your Google browser. Almost every pure bred dog has its own rescue. You can find French Bulldogs, Papillons, every version of Poodle, and yes…even the everyday mutt. Don’t count on the AKC to tell you the quality of the animal you love. I promise you, your heart will tell you much more.
For more on the AKC and its stance on the upcoming PA votes, please visit AKC Legislation.
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