Difference Between AKC and UKC

AKC vs UKC

If you are a dog lover, you must have heard about two of the most popular purebred dog pedigree registries in the United States; the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club. These clubs also hold dog shows as well as determining a dog’s pedigree. They are two different entities and they share some similarities and several differences.

The American Kennel Club is a non-profit purebred dog pedigree registry based in the United States. It was founded in 1884 and advocates dogs as pets, promotes responsible dog ownership, and protection of canine rights.

To be registered in the AKC, the dog’s parents and litter must also be registered with AKC. The registration is meant only to determine the breed of the dog and his parents and not his health or show quality bloodline.

It is more concerned about a dog’s physical appearance rather than his emotional and behavioral health. AKC registration is required from breeders so that they can sell purebred puppies and participate in AKC sponsored purebred conformation shows and dog sports.

The required age for a dog to breed is no younger than eight months. No AKC breed club can require a higher breeding age or genetic tests for diseases or any other restrictions.

It is not a member of the International Kennel Federation. It requires docked tails and cropped ears which is banned by law in other countries and is criticized by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Its many activities include conformation shows, junior showmanship, obedience trials, tracking trials, dog agility, and rally obedience.

The AKC divides dogs into seven groups:

* Sporting group – includes bird dogs such as Pointers, Retrievers, Setters, and Spaniels.
* Hound group – includes dogs that are developed to hunt using sight or scent like Greyhound and Beagles.
* Working groups – includes dogs that guard property, livestock, pulling carts such as Siberian Huskies and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
* Terrier group – includes dogs that hunt vermin and dig their burrows like Cairn Terrier and Airedale Terrier
* Toy group – includes companion dogs like Toy Poodles and Pekinese
* Non-sporting group – includes dogs that don’t fit into other categories and are larger than toy dogs such as Bichon Frises and Miniature Poodles
* Herding group – includes dogs that herd livestock like Rough Collies and Belgian Shepherds

The United Kennel Club is the second largest purebred dog registry in the world and it is the second oldest in the United States. It was founded in 1898 to provide a registry for working dogs.

It promotes the concept of a total dog, a dog that can perform as well as it looks. It uses DNA testing to establish a dog’s parentage.

There are three ways to register in the UKC. One is Single registration which is for dogs whose parents are not UKC registered. Another way is the Limited Privilege registration for purebreds whose pedigree is unknown and for mixed breed dogs. The third way is Litter registration for puppies whose parents are also registered in the UKC.

Summary
1. AKC does not recognize UKC registered dogs, while UKC recognizes AKC registered dogs.
2. AKC is a bigger club, while UKC is smaller.
3. Most breeds register at AKC, while rarer breeds and those that are still starting register at UKC.
4. AKC allows professional handlers at their dog shows, while UKC does not.

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