Kennel Clubs. Which do you use and why?

[Disneyliscious]

Just curious as to how the differing kennel registries stack up. Not referring to parent clubs per se, but rather the bigger registries. I know a little about some of them but which one do you use and why?

AKC - American Kennel Club
UKC - United Kennel Club
SCBC - Specialty Canine Breeders Club
CKC- Continental Kennel Club

From what I understand, the AKC is the megatron of all registries. The oldest, perhaps? So most people look up to this one.
UKC is overseas in Britain or somewhere?
SCBC is very strict and hard to get into. Pup buyers seem to like this though?
CKC is just a for profit business that will slap papers on any dog.

What are your experiences? If I've missed any, feel free to list.

 

[mjkacmom]

I bought a puppy mill dog registered with the AKC.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

AKC is a scam. I've known (and owned) lots of dogs that were AKC registered, but were full of health and behavior problems passed down from parents who should have never been bred. Wonderful pets, but should not have been considered as upholding the quality standards of the breeds. And what they used to encourage as breed standards like sloped backs in Shepherds and narrow skulls in Collies is despicable.

 

[Mizzoufan]

AKC is a scam. I've known (and owned) lots of dogs that were AKC registered, but were full of health and behavior problems passed down from parents who should have never been bred. Wonderful pets, but should not have been considered as upholding the quality standards of the breeds. And what they used to encourage as breed standards like sloped backs in Shepherds and narrow skulls in Collies is despicable.

This could be said for all the clubs out there. It's really not fair to point out just the AKC when all the the ones listed to the same thing.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

I bought a puppy mill dog registered with the AKC.

Are you being sarcastic? I can't tell.

I would hope no one would ever knowingly buy from a puppy mill. I'm an animal rescuer, and puppy mills are just awful.

 

[mjkacmom]

Are you being sarcastic? I can't tell.

I would hope no one would ever knowingly buy from a puppy mill. I'm an animal rescuer, and puppy mills are just awful.

Nope, not knowingly. This was about 25 years ago, no internet, bought a puppy from a puppy store. A lot less was known about puppy mills back then. I paid $600 for a purebred puppy from Missouri with AKC papers, having no idea about the existence of these horrible places. I actally thought I was getting a healthier dog by buying it from a store dedicated to puppies, and not a pet store with animals in cages.

I now have a 6 year old rescued mix.

 

[pryncess527]

Our first pair of beagles were AKC registered. they lived long, healthy lives
Our current pair of beagles is not registered. Our vet is pretty sure they are full beagles, but they came from a beagle rescue and their father is unknown. I don't plan to show them, so we have no need or desire to register them. They also are expected based on current signs to live long healthy lives

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Nope, not knowingly. This was about 25 years ago, no internet, bought a puppy from a puppy store. A lot less was known about puppy mills back then. I paid $600 for a purebred puppy from Missouri with AKC papers, having no idea about the existence of these horrible places. I actally thought I was getting a healthier dog by buying it from a store dedicated to puppies, and not a pet store with animals in cages.

I now have a 6 year old rescued mix.

I totally understand. Not much was known then.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

This could be said for all the clubs out there. It's really not fair to point out just the AKC when all the the ones listed to the same thing.

Maybe it could be said about all clubs. But I only have experience with the AKC so that is the one I will point out. It would be more irresponsible for me to make a blanket statement about all clubs.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I haven't bothered to even turn in the papers of my last two dogs to the AKC. I don't see the need.

AKC or other registration is not a guarantee of health of any given dog. Finding a well-bred dog falls on the prospective owner.

Information about puppy mills was available 25 years ago and well beyond. Most people just don't pay attention to that.

 

[mjkacmom]

I haven't bothered to even turn in the papers of my last two dogs to the AKC. I don't see the need.

AKC or other registration is not a guarantee of health of any given dog. Finding a well-bred dog falls on the prospective owner.

Information about puppy mills was available 25 years ago and well beyond. Most people just don't pay attention to that.

There is a lot more information on puppy mills today than 25 years ago! And it's much easier to find dogs to adopt, just go online. I cant imagine buying a dog for any reason.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

There is a lot more information on puppy mills today than 25 years ago! And it's much easier to find dogs to adopt, just go online. I cant imagine buying a dog for any reason.

Well, yes, the information was harder to access, but it was there - in newspapers, flyers, magazines, television, etc. But puppy mill info is one of those subjects that not many want to hear or read about, whether it's online or from someone in person, etc.

And while I don't feel like having a back and forth about where to get a dog, there can be reasons for people wanting a dog whose lineage or background is known, and that's ok.

FTR I've been trying to adopt a dog going on three years now. It's been one of the most frustrating experiences of my life! ETA sometimes people have specific criteria of what they want in a pet and that's what they should be doing so the pet doesn't become a "throwaway" when it doesn't measure up or becomes too hard to handle later on, etc. There are some people for whom it doesn't matter - my son being one of them, i.e. I'm sure he's going to have a house full of one eyed, snaggle-toothed dogs someday, lol - but others have practical reasons for the type of dog they want, and again, that's ok. Most dogs should be spayed and/or neutered but it's not the law in our society. (Oh, and not saying all shelter dogs are one-eyed and snaggle-toothed. DS is just a softie for those type dogs.)

 

[tzolkin]

It really depends on your reasoning behind registering the dog.

For the average family pet, I don't really see the necessity in registering.

Our one dog is registered with the National Greyhound Association (retired racing dog), but I haven't bothered to transfer the ownership and get the new papers yet. He is an AKC Good Citizen and certified through Therapy Dogs International, however any dog regardless of breed or registration can hold those certifications.