What is the American Kennel Club like? American Kennel Club reviews and website information

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is one of the most important purebred dog organizations in the world, founded in 1884. As one of the oldest and most authoritative dog registration organizations in the world, AKC plays a vital role in the breeding, cultivation, registration, research, breeding and exhibition of purebred dogs. AKC's mission is to promote the healthy development of purebred dogs, ensure the inheritance of the excellent qualities of dogs, and showcase the charm of dogs through various competitions and activities.

History and Background of the AKC

The origin of AKC can be traced back to the United States in the late 19th century. At that time, as the group of dog lovers expanded, people began to realize the need to establish a unified organization to regulate the breeding and showing of purebred dogs. On September 17, 1884, representatives from 12 dog clubs held their first meeting in Philadelphia and officially established the American Kennel Club. Since its establishment, AKC has gradually developed into one of the most influential dog organizations in the world, with more than millions of registered dogs.

The establishment of AKC not only marks the standardized development of the dog industry in the United States, but also provides a platform for communication and cooperation for dog lovers around the world. Over time, AKC's responsibilities have continued to expand, covering multiple fields such as dog breeding, health research, dog competition organization, and dog education.

AKC's core functions

The core functions of AKC mainly include the following aspects:

1. Purebred dog registration

AKC is one of the largest purebred dog registries in the world. Through a rigorous registration process, AKC ensures that every registered dog has a clear pedigree record. This not only helps maintain the genetic purity of purebred dogs, but also provides reliable pedigree information for dog breeders. As of 2023, AKC has registered more than 200 dog breeds, covering all kinds of breeds from large dogs to small dogs.

2. Canine reproduction and health research

AKC is committed to improving the health of dogs through scientific research. Through cooperation with veterinarians, geneticists and canine experts, AKC has conducted a number of studies on canine genetic diseases, nutritional needs and behavioral problems. These research results not only provide scientific guidance for dog breeders, but also provide dog owners with practical suggestions for caring for dogs.

3. Dog racing and showing

AKC holds hundreds of dog events every year, including dog shows, obedience competitions, agility competitions, hunting tests, etc. These events not only provide dog lovers with the opportunity to show their dogs, but also present the diversity and excellent abilities of dogs to the audience. AKC's dog shows are particularly famous, attracting top dogs and breeders from all over the world.

4. Canine Education and Public Outreach

AKC promotes dog knowledge to the public through a variety of channels, including online resources, publications, and offline events. AKC's educational programs cover dog selection, breeding techniques, training methods, and health care, aiming to help dog owners better understand and care for their pets. In addition, AKC actively participates in the formulation of public policies and advocates responsible dog breeding and reproduction.

AKC's Global Reach

As one of the most important canine organizations in the world, AKC's influence is not limited to the United States, but also extends to many countries and regions around the world. On September 12, 2012, AKC officially recognized NGKC (National Kennel Club of China), which marked the further expansion of AKC in the Asian market. Through cooperation with international canine organizations, AKC is committed to promoting the healthy development of the global canine industry.

AKC's global influence is also reflected in the formulation of its dog standards. The dog breed standards formulated by AKC are widely recognized by dog ​​lovers around the world and have become an important reference for dog breeding and exhibition. In addition, AKC has promoted the dissemination and exchange of global dog culture through international dog competitions and exchange activities.

AKC dog breed classification

The AKC divides registered dog breeds into seven major groups, each representing different functions and characteristics of the dog. These groups include:

1. Sporting Group

The sporting dog group includes breeds such as the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Cocker Spaniel. These breeds are known for their excellent hunting abilities and active personalities and are often used for hunting and outdoor activities.

2. Hound Group

The hound group includes breeds such as beagles, dachshunds and greyhounds. These breeds are known for their keen sense of smell and excellent tracking ability and are often used for hunting and tracking tasks.

3. Working Group

The working dog group includes breeds such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Saint Bernards. These breeds are known for their great physical strength and working ability and are often used for work such as police dogs, search and rescue dogs and guard dogs.

4. Terrier Group

The terrier group includes breeds such as the Jack Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier, and West Highland White Terrier. These breeds are known for their courage and active personalities and are often used to hunt small animals.

5. Toy Group

The toy dog ​​group includes breeds such as the Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, and Poodle. These breeds are known for their small size and cute looks and are often kept as companion dogs.

6. Non-Sporting Group

The non-sporting dog group includes breeds such as the Bulldog, Chow Chow and French Bulldog. These breeds are placed in this group because of their diverse functions and characteristics.

7. Herding Group

The herding dog group includes breeds such as the Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, and Corgi. These breeds are known for their excellent herding abilities and are often used to manage livestock.

AKC dog racing

The dog competitions held by AKC every year attract widespread attention from dog lovers around the world. These competitions not only provide a stage for dogs to show their talents, but also present the diversity and outstanding abilities of dogs to the audience. The following are the main types of dog competitions held by AKC:

1. Dog Shows

The dog show is one of the most famous events of the AKC. The participating dogs are divided into groups and evaluated according to their breed, age and gender. The judging criteria include the appearance, structure, gait and personality of the dog. The champion dog of the dog show will receive the honor of "Best in Show".

2. Obedience Trials

Obedience competitions test a dog's obedience and training level. The participating dogs need to complete a series of prescribed actions, such as sit, stay, recall and jump. Judging criteria include the dog's accuracy, speed and responsiveness.

3. Agility Trials

Agility competitions test a dog's agility and coordination. The dogs must navigate a series of obstacles, such as hurdles, tunnels and balance beams, within a set time. Judging criteria include the dog's speed, accuracy and completion.

4. Hunting Tests

The Hunting Test is mainly for the Sporting and Hounds and tests their hunting and tracking skills. The participating dogs need to complete a series of hunting-related tasks such as finding prey, retrieving prey and tracking scents.

5. Herding Trials

The sheepdog competition is mainly for the sheepdog group, testing their shepherding ability and management skills. The participating dogs need to guide and manage a flock of sheep within a specified time, and the judging criteria include the dog's control, efficiency and accuracy.

The future of the AKC

As the global dog enthusiast community continues to expand, AKC will continue to play its leading role in the future and promote the healthy development of the dog cause. AKC plans to achieve its future goals through the following aspects:

1. Strengthen canine health research

AKC will continue to increase its investment in canine health research, focusing on genetic diseases, nutritional needs and aging issues. Through scientific research, AKC hopes to provide more scientific care advice to dog breeders and owners to improve the overall health of dogs.

2. Expand international influence

AKC plans to further expand its global influence through cooperation with international canine organizations. By establishing partnerships with canine clubs in Asia, Europe, and Africa, AKC hopes to promote the dissemination and exchange of global canine culture.

3. Improve public education

AKC will continue to popularize dog knowledge to the public through online resources, publications and offline events. Through educational programs, AKC hopes to help more dog owners understand how to choose, raise and train their pets and promote a culture of responsible dog breeding.

4. Promote innovation in dog racing

AKC plans to further increase the appeal and participation of dog events by introducing new event types and rules. Through innovation, AKC hopes to provide dog enthusiasts with more opportunities to showcase their dogs’ talents while attracting more audiences to pay attention to the dog cause.

In short, as one of the most important canine organizations in the world, the American Kennel Club (AKC) will continue to play a leading role in purebred dog breeding, health research, event organization and public education. Through unremitting efforts, AKC hopes to provide a healthier, more active and vibrant canine community for dog lovers around the world.