| Brain-picking replies:
One of the sites I was recently on seriously questions the purity of AKC bred dogs. What steps do you guys recommend the registery take to ensure that people aren't being fraudulent with their claims of purity in their lines?
AKC is only a breed registry, and relies solely on the integrity of the papers submitted. The system is wide open to fraud and abuse (one claim is that there are more than 10,000 fraudulent registrations). The policing and monitoring of breeders should rest on the breed clubs, i.e., ARC, USRC, ADRK. ADRK's registration regulations, although not totally fool-proof, lessens fraudulent claims and registrations by limiting breedings of dogs and kennels, and through Breed Wardens who check and tattoo puppies registered with the club. I think DNA-testing should be added to the system just for verification. By the way, DNA-testing is now being implemented by the AKC.
Should we in the future force breeders to verify proper parentage and lineage through DNA testing?
DNA testing is important in any breeding program to assure the accuracy of a dog's genetic make-up. Breed clubs should include this as part of their ethical and responsible breeding guidelines. This way, if a breeding is questionable, there is a way to verify its integrity.
Should we place limited registration on all puppies until they are proven to be worthy of breeding and force the owners to have both breeding partners pass a suitability test?
Not all puppies are acquired for breeding purposes. To 'force' owners into doing anything is "UN-democratic" and will go against some of their rights and freedoms.
I guess the proper attitude to take is "Trust, but verify." -- Ronald Reagan (quote from speech on Arms Reduction Treaty)  |