Question of the Week

Shannon Johnson

Polk City, Florida

Limited Regulation is for substandard stock not to be shown or bred. AKC should NOT allow them in conformation shows. They are able to be in everything else but not judged to the Standard as the breeders have accepted the conformation to not be up to their standards, respect that.

Heather Stants

Homosassa, Florida

No, limited registered intact dogs should not be allowed to compete in conformation.  Conformation was originally designed to show your breeding stock, that does not include the dogs you felt were not conforming to the standard for your breed and thus sold with a limited registration.  This completely negates the original purpose.

Sulie Greendale-Paveza 

Fort Pierce, Florida

Since our job as conformation judges is to evaluate breeding stock, I say absolutely not!  Limited registration dogs are allowed to participate in almost all of the other dog sports.

Karen Werfield

Chardon Ohio

I am OPPOSED to this and mortified at the newest “brain child” the AKC has come up with that is a big slap in the face to breeders and the conformation world. 

This completely undermines the purpose of conformation: The fundamental purpose of conformation shows is to evaluate potential breeding stock to improve a breed. 

The AKC has done little to nothing to PROTECT breeders as of late. This would take away any control of what a pet person may decided to do with a dog purchased on Limited Registration  - If we are placing  a pet we are saying that we the dog CAN NOT be used for breeding and If, I as the breeder deem a dog not SHOW QUALITY I do not want that dog in the show ring and THAT IS  my right to make not the AKC›s.

For once I wish the AKC would do something that actually SUPPORTS the world of conformation instead trying to redefine it to suit those who have VERY LITTLE invested in the entire HISTORY of why dogs are shown in conformation - The AKC needs to find its backbone instead trying to redefine the history and legacy of the sport. 

Wyoma Clouss 

Meridian, Idaho

First thought is Why, but that’s a dumb question.  Second thought is why would we reverse the decision of the breeder?   What is the intent of showing a limited registration, not to be bred dog in conformation?   If the dog has turned out better than expected, have the breeder change registration.  Otherwise, why is the dog still intact?

Is this discussion to solve one person’s problem, or is it the next step before showing neutered animals in conformation?

Suzanne Orban-Stagle

Hurlock, Maryland

I feel that this is certainly not a protection or preservation of  the purebred dog and should NOT be allowed!

I’m shocked that AKC would even consider this!

Susan Shephard

Deltona, Florida

I think this is a slap in the face to dedicated, preservation breeders.  We all produce puppies that we’d not want shown under our affix, thus limited registration.  This makes limited registration moot.   Breeders will resort to selling companion puppies without papers and that reduces AKC revenue.   All clubs need to communicate their thoughts to their club delegate. 

Margaret J Rucker, DVM

Lebanon, Virginia

I do not think limited registration dogs should be permitted to show in conformation. As a breeder, the whole point of limited registration is to allow the new owners to have an AKC recognized dog, eligible for all other competitions except conformation. The whole point of conformation competitions is to recognize dogs who bring attributes to the breed and whose characteristics meet the standards of the breed … all of which leads to their consideration for breeding “best to best” …

Inge Semenschin

Richmond, California 

That seems to open a bag of worms, how does this affect breeders, do they want to see their dogs sold as pets in the ring, what about our designer dogs? Is this going to open their selection of dogs for breedings to their advantage for example advertisement. I know we want more entries but this one has so many issues for breeders.  And who issues limited registration without a contract for spaying? another issue. 

Joan Wurst

Union City, Pennsylvania

My personal opinion is that the show ring is for breeding stock for a purpose.  I can imagine some might argue that showing qualified offspring of exceptional breeding stock would have its advantages, however, I think it would detract from the original purpose and could cause confusion for some.

Deborah Reed

Holly Hill, South Carolina

The owners of these dogs have likely signed a spay neuter agreement. I do not have a problem with these dogs being shown in a specific class for neutered dogs. But I do not agree that they should be allowed to be shown “intact”, or that they should compete with dogs that have full registration and are intact. Breeders often deny full registration for a reason. A dog may be a striking specimen of a breed, and yet have a significant reason for “not being intact”. There could be genetic

abnormalities or eye or other health issues that are not readily apparent by visual observation. The limited registration and spay and neuter may prevent the passing on of unfavorable genotypes and protect the integrity of a breed.

Susan Burge

Brecksville, Ohio

I am and always have been very active in the Poodle Club of America. I am sorry but this is so wrong on multiple levels. I am committed to my breed to produce puppies that meet the Breed Standard. This whole situation simply makes me so sad. I have been showing dogs from the time I was 12 years old and I am presently 77. I have bred well over 60 champions.  

When I sell a puppy on limited registry, I  am recognizing that the dog does not closely  meet the breed standard. I know it,  the new owners know it.  I encourage new owners to enjoy the dog and check out obedience, agility etc. It would seem the goal of AKC is to make more money not to protect pure breed dogs, encouraging people to show in conformation at any cost. Would the next step is for my breed would be to allow partis to show in conformation. Why bother with parent clubs maintaining breed standards if AKC is willing to ignore disqualifications? Does height matter, or color, what is the next step, bad bites, sure no problem?  

Debbie Hollan

Marietta, Georgia

Definitely NOT!  This is all about money, not the dogs.  Breeders sell dogs on Limited Registration into loving homes because in our estimation they are not show quality!!  That’s why Limited Registration was created!  Now because AKC wants more money, they want to put Breeders lines that we have worked our lives for at risk??  As a Cluster Chair I realize it might bring more entries for our shows, but at what cost?  We are supposed to be about finding the best dogs for breeding stock.  I realize that has pretty much gone out the window, however we don’t need to totally bury it by allowing this!  This is wrong on so many levels!  It’s pure greed without the best interest of the Breeders and the dogs at heart.  If this goes through, I am sure many Breeders will go back to not sending registration papers until the dog has been spayed or neutered and then sending them, when we all know most of the owners will never send them in, then that income is lost to AKC.  I really don’t understand why AKC is trying so hard to destroy it’s major source of income, with this move and then the increase in their fees for entries, just another nail in the Sport’s coffin.