Question of the Week

Adrian Woodfork

Sacramento, California

I think it would be cool if the AKC would team up with parent clubs and create a 30-second commercial profiling a breed a week on a major national television network (ABC, CBS or NBC). That kind of exposure would be a big boost to educating and giving the public positive images of purebred dogs. Buy time during the dinner hour right before or after the news. That’s my vote being a retired newsman.

Jane Bishop 

Bridgeport, West Virginia

As AKC's premise is promotion of purebred dogs, I think a lot more needs to be done as far as counterbalancing the huge influx of intentional mixed breeds and the “mis-education” of the public, which seem to think doodles etc., are purebred and healthier than purebred dogs.

I am so tired of hearing people promote "non-shedding" and "healthier" in talking about these dogs. We all know they are paying huge amounts and these dogs not only do not come from health-tested breeding stock, but since no good breeder would put one of their dogs with these puppy mills (yes, they are all puppy mills, even the people breeding in their homes, as they are doing it to make money), the initial breeding stock is coming from questionably bred stock. I think the AKC needs to begin a strong educational program for the public concerning the benefits of purebred dogs and the misinformation they have concerning these intentionally mixed breeds. I would like to turn on the TV or other media and see public education out there promoting purebred dogs. This also needs to happen at the local club level as well, with local information articles and information geared toward the public. 

Charles Olvis and Liz Muthard

Wales, Florida

We have a lot of famous actors who have dogs shown or who own purebred dogs. Ask them if they would be willing to do a commercial for the AKC promoting purebred dogs. PETA does it — why can’t we? There are also professional athletes who have dogs shown ... can’t we get them to help?

Richard Reynolds

Tenafly, New Jersey

Our most successful effort into promoting purebred dogs has been the use of Terriers, many of them conformation champions, to help control rats on the streets of New York. Dogs fulfilling their purpose.

While the idea of carnage in full public view might be off putting to some, the media attention and public support we’ve gotten for our feisty canine crew couldn’t be purchased at any price. We’ve had cheers, standing ovations, offers of payment and mayoral commendations for our cross section of Terriers. The most prevalent question is “What breed is that?” Our charity hunt for Take the Lead (usually held just before Westminster) has brought the stars of the show to the attention of the public in a new light. It’s Meet the Breeds in their natural environment.

Nothing like dark nights and dead rats to garner international attention for our beloved purebreds. 

Karen Mull

Lititz, Pennsylvania

I think more Meet the Breeds, either handled by the AKC or local clubs, would be great. Several local all-breed clubs around me offer their own Meet the Breeds at their shows or at other public outings, like our Responsible Dog Ownership Day, which is free and open to the public. Our local club has also done Meet the Breeds at different local venues, like motorcycle/local police rides and a 50-plus expo. Also, I like walking around my town when they are holding local activities and talking about my dogs with anyone who wants to pet them.

Barbara Burns

Freeport, Illinois

I would utilize the concept that the International Kennel Club does: Have the public sign up for tours and take them around to see the shows and explain the process, the different breeds and especially educate the public on crop and dock issues. I found that explaining why it was done and why it is still being done takes away the misconception of it being cruel, when it is not as invasive as spay and neuter. Explaining what different breeds were bred to do also gives insight on why we are passionate about purebred dogs. I found the public goes away with a much better outlook and respect for purebred dogs.  

Lynn Vellios

Wildwood, Missouri

If you are passionate about your breed, simply injecting the subject into conversations works well to promote that purebred. When you have your dog with you, and it is a rare breed, it’s important to make the public’s experience with your dog a positive moment. When we meet people at the show, we make it a positive encounter! If we see folks at the pet store, be it a large box store or a smaller local store, we try to make our dogs meeting people both positive for the dogs as well as the people they encounter. Many do not meet a Bouvier des Flandres, and a simple encounter for those folks is something they will remember for years. 

You can’t often change the adopt don’t shop person’s head or mindset, but you can save the public and their view that purebred dogs have expected outcomes in behavior, energy and those traits that your breed holds. That this expected outcome can better fit a family than rolling the dice with a mixed breed. When you demonstrate that your breed fits your lifestyle and your needs in your own life, the onlooker can picture themselves fulfilling the same sort of needs in their lives and home as well, thus promoting the purebred experience over the mixed-breed experience.

When people meet a breed and can see themselves owning a dog of that breed you are passionate about, that is how the word spreads about that breed. It may be that you impress those people so much that they start thinking about owning a dog of that breed and joining the club or simply enjoying that purebred you introduced them to. 

Modeling for those that aspire to own a purebred is the best influence a purebred owner can offer.

Barbara E. Magera, MD, PharmD, MMM

Charleston, South Carolina

The public may not realize that the study of disease in dogs has accelerated the ability to treat various human conditions. Purebred dogs are genetically similar, thus a much smaller population of canines is required for study. Some examples of canine genetic studies that have directly impacted the management of human diseases include: progressive retinal atrophy (in dogs) analogous to human retinitis pigmentosa in Miniature and Toy Poodles; systemic lupus erythematosus in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers; epilepsy in miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds, and histiocytic sarcomas in Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Dr. Elaine Ostrander, head of the Canine Genome Project at the NIH, eloquently cites the important contributions of canine genetic studies in her 2012 article published in the New England Journal of Medicine entitled “Both Ends of the Leash: The Human Links to Good Dogs with Bad Genes.”

Cathy Lester

Centennial, Colorado

I wish the AKC and other credible sources would explain to the public what registration papers are! We hear of registration with fly-by-night groups certifying their dogs.

Registration papers are so much more valuable than that. They indicate ways to know where your dog came from and the thought that was put into breeding.

People believe that a cross of two breeds still means the dog is a breed. They believe that it makes the results predictable in genetics and phenotype.

I also think that the public needs to see the value in genetic testing before a breeding is done.

Carol Hamilton

Los Angeles area, California

Dogs were bred to do a job. Why aren’t we showcasing their fantastic abilities? WHY is a Grand Champion just a rehash of the champion title? A Grand SHOULD prove it can do what it was bred to do. Companion dogs should have a Companion Dog (CD) Obedience title. Let’s get back to the real reason for dog shows — and that’s not the ego of the handler, but the quality of the dogs for the future.

Sharon C. Smith

Temple, Georgia

I would point out that AKC breeders do all kinds of health testing to insure they are breeding only the healthiest parents!

Michele Trifiro

Ashburnham, Massachusetts 

I have been breeding and showing purebred dogs for more than 30 years. Now that I am retired from my money-making job, I spend my days painting purebred dogs (www.micheletrifiro.com). It’s the best way I know to illustrate the beauty and diversity of canines.

Denise Wilczewski

Wall Township, New Jersey

Honestly, I feel that the dog-show world is out of touch with the real world. People just aren’t interested that much in purebred dogs anymore, which is a shame, as we do proper testing. It’s a doodle world, and I’m sorry to say I don’t see that changing. Dog shows have become an antiquated sport. I still show after 30 years — it is what it is! 

Judi Bendt

Rapid City, South Dakota

Have all their dogs health-tested for such things to do with hips, elbows, eyes, heart, thyroid, degenerative myelopathy and much more. I used to look for longevity in the bloodlines of dogs I wanted to buy or breed to.

Your mix breeders don’t go to the bother or expense. They tell people that by mixing the breeds they are breeding out all the health issues. So not true.

Sue Sommerfield

Alexandria, Virginia

Rescue groups and owners of shelter or rescue dogs frequently ask for discounts on dog training for their dog by virtue of being a rehomed animal. The AKC should flip that expectation and work with dog trainers to promote purebreds by providing a discount on dog training to owners of purebred puppies. Well-bred puppies with good temperaments (something we all should be breeding for!) that are given a good start in life, a head start on house-training, and leave their littermates at the appropriate age tend to be easier to train and have fewer bad habits or problems to overcome: This advantage to purebred pups should be emphasized to the public.

This could be done without denigrating shelter/rescue dogs, but as an advantage to well-bred purebreds for those owners who have the time and energy to devote to a young puppy.

The long-neglected AKC Marketplace feature listing dog trainers could be utilized along with the new-puppy information packet mailed along with registration papers to promote this advantage and offer the discount to owners of purebred puppies.

Reward what you want to encourage, AKC! 

Rachel Romano Kelly

Dunkirk, Maryland

Share stories with the general public and with rescue groups about breeders taking care of their purebred puppies for life, preventing them from ever going to a shelter.

Examples: Keeping puppies while owners go through medical treatments, taking puppies back after owners die or get divorced, military who get sent on deployments, etc. … We need to help the general public and those who work in shelters recognize that we share the same goals: placing puppies in great homes and having them be successful, but being there for them throughout their lifetime for advice, help and willingness to take them back if ever necessary.

Bring purebred dogs to Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups to help them earn pet-care badges. Share with them the importance of purebred dogs like guide dogs, bomb-detection dogs, airport-security dogs, seizure-alert dogs, cancer-detection dogs, barn dogs that catch vermin, guardian dogs that help farmers, etc. …

Create an online or TV program showing how breeders raise puppies the right way, socializing them, crate-training them, exposing them to all different sights and sounds, and why that makes a huge difference. Show clips of those pups years later so they know how they look and act as adults. Who can resist videos of adorable puppies?

Share stories about the large percentage purebred dog breeders supporting breed rescue. 

Start a national program in elementary schools, AKC Dog Safety 101, featuring different purebred dogs, and teach children at a young age about how to safely approach a dog, dog-bite prevention, teach them to NEVER sit on or hug dogs around the neck …

Dixie Howell-Hirsch

Lucerne Valley, California

First, I'd eliminate the limited registration since it does NOT prevent a dog from being bred — simply that resultant puppies cannot be registered. This makes those dogs open to backyard or puppy-mill environments for "designer dogs" or lurchers. This form is apparently revenue driven so ...

Second, I would suggest AKC encourage (require?) more breeders to use the Litter Plus form, registering all puppies to themselves. This covers the revenue lost by eliminating limited registries and ensures all puppies are accounted for. And the breeder no longer has two contracts — one for full registry, the other for spay/neuter. 

Third, a good percentage of professional breeders already have spay/neuter agreements with indemnity clauses requiring proof of neutering by sending a copy of the veterinarian report/verification within a given timeline. Most home computers can be programmed to remind breeders and owners of the approaching deadline. 

This may not "promote purebred dogs" to the general public; however, it could help prevent the increasing drain on shelters due to mixed breeds (mutts, mongrels, hybrids). 

Perhaps AKC could extend the Meet the Breeds program to allow individuals to give presentations (canine ambassadors?) and pet-my-dog booths at local non-show sites. The cache of an AKC-sponsored exhibit of even two or three breeds by local breeders would offer a wider public-service platform. For example, the Irish Fair could have several of the Irish dog breeds at the event. Or, Irvine, California, has a Global Village Festival and the breeds from around the world could be provided in the Kids Village, where adults can see the interaction of their children to a few breeds at a time. These need not be club sponsored, but by dedicated individuals.

Andrea J. Belmore

Thompson, Pennsylvania

I suggest that parent clubs begin advertising in public-oriented, dog-based magazines — and social media — pinpointing the advantages, purpose, care, disposition, etc., of their particular breed. Much of the public has no idea each breed has a parent club where information and well-bred pups/dogs can be found. Making it more accessible can be the right path. There is certainly no lack of awareness regarding mixed breeds and rescues. These organizations are all over social media and TV.

Julie L. Mueller 

Tulsa, Oklahoma

My answer would be, yes, a purebred dog, if that is what someone is seeking. But the most important issue is a healthy puppy that was born from healthy parents. A sire and dam that were health-tested as well as the lineage behind this puppy. Dispelling the myths behind these "designer dogs" is crucial. And then presenting the real facts, coupled with a written guarantee of health for the puppy being sold. Every breeder should be able to stand behind every puppy that they bred. 

Nancy C. Russell

Walsenburg, Colorado

I am going to use the example of the Wisconsin Alaskan Malamute Club. Its 61 memberships, many of them family memberships from seven states, are because of all the activities they put on. Everyone has a chance to participate in something. They do the usual specialty show, but it is the other activities that build the participation and get the breed recognized and appreciated by the general public.  

1.  Every year they are invited by the Wisconsin State Fair to bring dogs and put on activities for the public. This includes obedience, agility, weight pull, carting and a booth telling about the breed. Puppies and adults to pet and breeders to talk to about the breed. The reception by the public has been so favorable the Fair Board has asked them to come for two days instead of just one.

2.  The club goes to several Christmas parades with dogs walking with decorations or pulling sleds or carts decorated for the occasion. Kids can ride or dress up and walk with their dogs. Everyone goes out to eat together after the parade. Fun for all ages of people and dogs, and great publicity for the breed and AKC-registered dogs.

3.  In Wisconsin, many towns have winter carnivals. The Wisconsin club goes to 10 to 12 of these and puts on a weight pull, and in some towns they do sled rides as well. The proceeds often go to rescue or charities such as Make a Wish. The carnivals usually supply some dog food for winners of the weight pull. Spectators enjoy the dogs pulling, and of course the dogs love all the attention from owners and spectators when they complete each pull. The pulls are not limited to Alaskan Malamutes, so there are other breeds, such as Siberians, Samoyeds, Rottweilers and any other breed that wants to participate. Average entries are about 35 dogs per pull. With these big entries there is always time for owners to talk to spectators about their breed between pulls.

Local clubs, open your eyes and you will surely find opportunities to promote your breed or AKC breeds in general, just like the Wisconsin Malamute Club has done.

Beth Santure

Milan, Michigan

There need to be more AKC meet-and-greets all over the U.S. Every kennel club should be doing these. They are always well received with lots of public attendance when advertised. 

Barbara Miller

Brookville, New York

When you move dog shows out of their intended areas, such as the many that are now held in West Springfield, Massachusetts, you are doing the purebred dog a disservice. As members of our local kennel clubs, we must do all in our power to locate sites conducive to holding AKC dog shows at least once a year in our original area to promote the purebred dog. The venue must be fully visible to the public and advertising of such is a must. The attendance of the public as spectators allows each of them to enjoy and learn about the beauty of owning a purebred dog. 

Moving out of our areas allows the exhibitor chances to put points on their dog, win groups and possibly go Best in Show, but the reasons for holding a show should be far more than the “win.” We cannot educate the public about the purpose of the purebred dog if we aren’t where we belong — in our own backyards. I have always felt having spectators at a dog show is the most relevant way to expose them to the goodness of owning a purebred dog. 

Each time a kennel club moves away from its area, it is diminishing the effect a dog show can have on the public.