AKC Mission Statement

The American Kennel Club Mission Statements change as focus shifts to the bottom line, ALL dogs, non-purebred dog events, canine health, and responsible ownership.

We are searching our old records for AKC's original Mission Statement.  When we updated files to announce changes by AKC, it did not occur to the webmaster that AKC would take down their previous Mission Statements.  We apologize to readers who count on the NetPlaces Network for historical records and documentation.

This was the Mission Statement as provided in our Feb 2005 Election coverage.

• Maintain a registry for purebred dogs and preserve its integrity.

• Sanction dog events that promote interest in, and sustain the process of, breeding for type and function of purebred dogs.

• Take whatever actions are necessary to protect and assure the continuation of the sport of purebred dogs.

Then in August 2005, this was included in the Board Meeting Minutes:

• A new Mission Statement was adopted for the American Kennel Club as follows:

The American Kennel Club is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Founded in 1884, the AKC and its affiliated organizations advocate for the purebred dog as a family companion, advance canine health and well-being, work to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership.

Words have meaning.  Puzzling is the change from preserving to upholding. Troubling is deletion of the declarative statement "Take whatever actions are necessary to protect and assure the continuation of the sport of purebred dogs."   Is "protecting" the same as "promoting"?

AKC's expanded Mission Statement as of January 2011:

The American Kennel Club is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Founded in 1884, the AKC® and its affiliated organizations advocate for the purebred dog as a family companion, advance canine health and well-being, work to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership.

AKC’s Objective:

• Advance the study, breeding, exhibiting, running and maintenance of purebred dogs.

AKC's Core Values:

• We love purebred dogs

• We are committed to advancing the sport of the purebred dog

• We are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of our Registry

• We protect the health and well-being of all dogs

• We cherish dogs as companions

• We are committed to the interests of dog owners

• We uphold high standards for the administration and operation of the AKC

• We recognize the critical importance of our clubs and volunteers

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