AKC Canine Partner Program: From Morkies to Making a Better Future for AKC?

A Morkie Puppy:

Will AKC "Papers" from Pet Shops Help AKC's Future?

NOTE: This post is part of the Dog Agility Blog Action Day event on Improving Agility Organizations. Once you're done reading, please visit the other posts!

Last week, I posted a discovery that AKC Canine Partnership enrollments can be used by pet shops to to sell puppy mill dogs with "AKC papers". The only condition is an unenforced "promise" to neuter the puppy once it reaches an appropriate age. 

It's not just about mixed breeds: The enrollment can be applied to both unregistered "purebreds" and mixed breeds alike.

The problem? Uninformed buyers easily can mistake the term "enrollment" or "listing" for full AKC "registration". 

The incident that brought to this to light was a relative who described a second hand puppy she had purchased as an "AKC registered Morkie".

On inspection, the papers actually were from the American Kennel Club, not some off brand registry. The certificate came in the same AKC-logo emblazoned envelope that your dog's title certificates arrive in.

At the time I was writing the post, I also made a phone call to the AKC Inspections and Investigations Department. I received a phone call back the next day from one of their representatives explaining the rationale for the AKC Canine Partners Program.

Some of the reasons seemed worthy and valid:

• The program exposes new puppy buyers to all the activities available to them as an AKC participant.
• The program supports their development as responsible pet owners through a variety of communications.
• It offers a coupon for low cost spay or neuter (which is not required or enforced).

But there are some portions of the program that could result in some potentially negative outcomes for both the AKC and its communities:

• The "enrollment could be intentionally presented as "AKC papers" by unscrupulous puppy merchants to gain a price that is often in the $1,000 range.
• The uninformed, impulse buyer could misinterpret the enrollment as an "AKC registration"
• No enforceable neutering requirement could result in litters from these dogs being sold intentionally or unintentionally as from "AKC registered parents".
• Puppies could be intentionally sold or resold as "AKC registered" by the uninformed or unscrupulous buyer/sellers.
• The enrollment does nothing to support or protect the quality or origin standards of the puppies.
• No barrier currently exists for unneutered Canine Partner dogs to participate in AKC Companion events such as agility and obedience. As long as the dog is not "caught," it can potentially participate and even earn titles and championships. AKC participants should not be put in the position of being default "neuter police" for this program.

I was told that the main reason for the Canine Partners program was to help shore up the sagging registration numbers for AKC registered breeds and entries in AKC conformation shows. 

The 2010 AKC National Agility Championship begins:

Agility is the bright spot in AKC growth today.

I understand the dilemma, and as an active participant in AKC agility, I don't wish to see the AKC fail. Instead, I would prefer to see future plans that strengthen both the AKC mission and its real support for the dogs it represents.

For this reason, I made the following recommendations to the AKC representative:

• Provide a limited enrollment to all unneutered dogs. Provide full enrollment (including ability to participate in AKC events) upon proof of spay or neuter.
• Shore up the language on the AKC Canine Partner online enrollment form to include language that states that an enrollment does not constitute an AKC registration.
• Put penalties in place for sellers who are found to be misconstruing AKC Canine Partner enrollments as "AKC papers" or "AKC registration."
• Include clarification of Canine Partner rights and privileges with owner communications including what the AKC Canine Partner program means and does NOT mean.

I requested these be forwarded to the Advisory Board for the Canine Pet Partnerships program. If you share concerns, I was advised that the best course for agility participants to pursue was to contact the AKC Agility Advisory Committee or AKC Director of Agility, Carrie DeYoung.

To be honest, AKC registration is not a super big issue for most agility trainers and competitors. Being a part of an organization that supports the true well being and future of dogs is. After all, there are other valid and established venues will happily accept our entry fees.

As a growing power within the AKC, the agility community needs to let their voice be heard on how we want this organization to grow. 

If you have further ideas that might improve this program or the future for AKC, leave a comment below.