Kennel club

Kennel clubs are societies dedicated to the breeding and welfare of purebred dogs. These organizations maintain registries of purebred dogs and sponsor events such as conformational shows and field trials. Most countries with large pet-owning populations have their own kennel clubs, and within each of the national organizations local chapters or affiliates provide services to regional members. In countries where dogs are popular pets, there are sometimes several different organizations, each specifying the Breed standard used by that organization.

Dog Shows

See the main article at dog show.

Conformational Dog shows

These shows are a competition that serve the purpose of providing an evaluation of the suitability of animals for breeding. There is a minimum age for puppies, usually they must be at least 6 months old to be entered. De-sexed animals are not eligible, nor are individual dogs that have features specified as disqualifications for the breed.

All-breed shows offer competitions for the breeds and varieties of dogs recognized by the governing kennel club. All-breed shows are the type often shown on television.

Specialty shows are restricted to dogs of a specific breed or to varieties of one breed. For example, the Bulldog Club of America Specialty is for Bulldogs only, but the Poodle Club of America's specialty show includes the three varieties of the Poodle - Standard, Miniature and Toy.

Group shows are limited to dogs belonging to one of the designated groups. For example, the Potomac Hound Group show features only breeds belonging to the Hound group."

Major kennel clubs

Fédération Cynologique Internationale

This international organization (usually translated as "World Canine Organisation" in English but still abbreviated "FCI") oversees breed standards for member nations all over the world. It ensures the mutual recognition of participating countries' pedigrees and judges. The FCI does not operate a registry; that is left to the member nations.

Most countries have a kennel club which is a member or affiliate of the FCI; the United Kingdom and the United States are exceptions.

Australia

The governing body is the Australian National Kennel Council. The ANKC's function is largely administrative: it controls breed standards and maintains records of information provided by affiliates; individuals are members of their state councils, which maintain the registries and have representatives to the ANKC.

United Kingdom

The Kennel Club was founded in 1873 'to promote in every way, the general improvement of dogs'. It is the oldest of the world's kennel clubs.

United States of America

• The American Kennel Club is the oldest club in the US that is still operating. Founded in 1884, pedigrees and registration, and competition records of more than 15,000 annual events. The motto of the AKC is “We’re more than champion dogs. We’re the dog’s champion.” The AKC registered about 900,000 dogs in 2006, far outpacing any other organisation.

• The United Kennel Club is the second largest club in the United States. It positions itself as supporting "The Total Dog".

External Links

Kennel Club (UK) [1]