Barbara J. Andrews, The Dog Press  | April 26, 2006

There are some really great dog people at AKC but they are outnumbered by those who, while likeable and talented, seem geared towards financial success at all costs.

It is typical of many corporate giants wherein power takes precedence over scruples and the quest becomes more important than the consumer.

Who said AKC, Inc. has no stockholders? Depends on one’s point of view but there is indeed no accountability to stockholders. Financial management at the American Kennel Club is top notch, not to worry there. Nine million in profits during a year when registrations are falling like hailstones is remarkable whether you agree with the whoring of AKC’s name or not. Perhaps it is Moral Management that is missing.

When honesty, ethics, duty or truth is compromised, it is customarily defined as a loss of moral values. Corporations can lose direction just as can ordinary people. While the collective “we” are not stockholders, show breeders have a lot at stake in the success or failure of this company we call AKC. We are heavily invested as show and hobby breeders. We are not commercial breeders. We are not puppy farms, puppy mills, wholesalers or pet shop suppliers.

Kennel Clubs are not stockholders but many are struggling to keep financially afloat and it will get worse because people who buy from pet shops and wholesalers do not show. Breed Clubs are at serious risk. Owners of Designer Dogs and Puppy Mill Produce are not dues payers. Breed or Kennel Club, even volunteers don’t want to work for a failing organization! Who wants to be President of a club with no members? A Treasurer with no funds?

Mega-corporations shrug off accountability until, like Enron, the federal government steps in. According to complaints and allegations received by our organization, there is no accountability at AKC, which is a hugely profitable corporation. We vouch for those charges because when as a point of news reporting, we ask for a response to allegations of wrong-doing, it is ignored. When any corporation cares so little about its customer base that it gives them the finger instead of facts, it is insulting and the implications are staggering. If a communications department cranks out press releases that border on lies in lieu of news, is that a sign of corporate health or of cover-up?

On behalf of subscribers’ who view the integrity of the AKC stud book as a marker for value in the “purebred dog” and who are upset by demonstrated lack of concern for stud book integrity related to perceived laxity on behalf of commercial competitors, we asked these questions on March 17th 2006.

1.) Who do we contact for comment on widespread Stud Book / Pedigree Fraud?
2.) Why does AKC require the registration number to be listed in the catalog?
3.) When will AKC change that outdated policy in order to protect against pedigree theft?
4.) Who do we contact for a complete list of suspended persons so as to protect buyers?
5.) If there is no such list, or it is not available, why not?

We followed up with several polite reminders and despite an initial assurance of cooperation, have not had so much as a “we’re working on it” response. That is AKC’s typical answer to uncomfortable pressure or an issue it would prefer to ignore – no answer. No accountability to “stockholders” or customers.

Given the amount of registration fraud representing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, one would think the corporation would be grateful to have easily-closed loopholes identified. The superintendents are willing to cease publishing registration numbers in show catalogs. If it once served any purpose, well, times have changed. Documented cases of stud book corruption and open invitations to commit fraud can no longer be waved away or excused by laying the blame and responsibility on US! That may have worked a decade ago, before you read the minutes or kept up with such ridiculous wiggle-out statements. Today it only denigrates the hard work and considerable cash invested in a meaningful breeding program.

Pandering remarks like “Breeders Are the Backbone Of The Sport” have lost their meaning. Glorifying Show Breeders allows the corporation to trade us off for better programming, bigger endorsements, more sponsorship dollars and perks, etc. It no longer makes us “feel good” about what we do. Show Breeders have wised up.

Holding hands with commercial breeders, i.e. puppy mills, is like making offshore deals with rival companies. Ignoring, allowing, even supporting legislation that favors mass producers over small private investors is wrong. Wall Street may be humming but AKC shareholders are getting nervous. Where are the assurances?

There can be none where none exist. Nothing will change until the direction AKC has taken is examined. We expect AKC to join THE FANCY to fight the raft of legislation that favors commercial breeders and threatens private hobby breeders. It has not, instead it tells us it has “always registered HVB puppies.” That makes it okay. AKC says it should be applauded for admitting it and there are those who fell for that but the fact is, few cared until AKC appeared to switch sides and FAVOR the “High Volume Breeder” over the Show or Hobby Breeder. It is however, the Show Breeder who is sold to the highest bidder for TV rights. It is the dedicated Show Breeder that sells dog food and the concept “We Are For Dogs.” It is the Show Breeder and small hobby breeder who is threatened by PAWS. Commercial breeders are already regulated by USDA and supposedly, inspected. It is the small hobby breeder who can not fight local legislation, zoning, deed restrictions, etc. The Puppy Mills own half of Kansas and Missouri and they are not impacted at all.

Enron fell. With it went the hopes, dreams and investments of thousands of believers. Who do you believe? Do you plan to stay “in dogs”? How much do you have invested in your breeding program? Do you dare ask questions and expect accountability? Do YOU have stock in the AKC Corporation?

Barbara J. Andrews