Pet Animal Welfare PAWS and the AKC

[Rottnbelle]

American Kennel Club Statement on the Proposed Pet Animal Welfare Statute 2005

The American Kennel Club supports PAWS legislation because we believe it is good for dogs and aligns with our core mission of promoting the sport of purebred dogs. The AKC has always supported enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, and demands the high standards for AKC registered dogs through our own long-standing, rigorous inspection program. We believe that animal care standards are necessary to assure the proper care and treatment of dogs and the integrity of the breeding practices in this country.

The AKC has long held the position that too much regulation can create unnecessary burdens on breeders with no benefit to dogs. However, this is not the case with the legislation currently before the Congress.

As currently drafted, PAWS amends the Animal Welfare Act. The legislation offers a reasonable balance between addressing a changing marketplace where dogs are sold en masse over the Internet and imported from foreign countries, and protecting breeders from excessive regulation. After a detailed analysis of the legislative language, we have reached the conclusion that PAWS will adequately protect the autonomy of breeders, while enforcing reasonable industry standards for breeding and selling dogs.

The AKC supports all breeders who register their litters with us. We estimate that fewer than 4% of those currently registering litters with us may be subject to inspections under this new bill. Further, since these 4% of our constituents have also been subject to AKC inspection, we believe that they are already maintaining standards above and beyond what is proposed in the new bill and have no cause for concern.

The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry and promoting the sport of purebred dogs. As such, supporting PAWS aligns with the AKC's core mission. We're more than champion dogs - we're the dog's champion.

[Nancy2]

In retrospective it seem the situation here is much better than the situation in other countries, you can see here that only recently RSPCA which is the organization for prevention of animal cruelty in UK was able to pass legislation that we take for granted here.
Of course it doesn't mean that the supervision on dog breeders and dog import should be stopped.

[Rottnbelle]

The opinion in America is that animal welfare is covered well in existing laws.

The UK has allowed RSPCA to remove many of their rights. Several years ago having fox hunting banned. And now to my chagrin banning docking on all but working dogs who are actually working.

The dichotomy of course is that if it is cruel to dock it is cruel to dock, there should be no difference. If it isn't, and it isn't there should be no ban.

America will not be bringing their docked breeds to Crufts.

I believe in laws that stop animal cruelty and abuse, but not laws that limit individual dog owners rights.

The RSPCA has not made tagging and neutering illegal as yet. Both of which could be considered cruel.

I was very sad to find that the UK passed the docking ban.

[rutylr]

It's to bad here in the states tho that people of once docked breeds are so against any dog that is not docked.
It's also a shame that the breed club(that is suposed to be here for the breed as a whole) wants to have the breed seperated by tail or no tail.
It should be up to the breeder not the breed club.And dogs with tails should be given a fair shake in the ring.Having Judges sign a piece of paper stating they will not put up a tail dog is so wrong.

[Rottnbelle]

I believe there are rings that do not consider the topline or set of the tail and follow the FCI standard - UKC, ARV, USRC, and AIRK.

AKC does not follow any standard but that which is approved by the US parent club.

How does the docking ban help sporting and field dogs? It doesn't. If in fact it is cruel to dock it is then cruel no matter what group the dog falls into.

So the basis for having tails seems to go to getting them from countries that have banned docking only on certain breeds or groups of dogs.

How can US fall into step with something that is unfair at its core?

[rutylr]

It might be un fair,but how is not allowing those dogs( that come from countrys where tail docking is banned ),the right to be Judged fairly in the ring with dogs that are docked.
Splitting a breed because of a tail is stupid.

[Rottnbelle]

There are different clubs that use different standards.

You have a choice, have a docked dog or have a tailed dog.

Thereafter you have more choices - shows using the FCI standard - ARV, USRC, AIRK, or independent shows like UKC where they have their own standard.

AKC is one of those venues where they have what is originating standard for the rottweiler, which was universal until recent years.

It is great to have conversations like this. I appreciate your questions.

Please share your name.

[rutylr]

Originally Posted by Rottnbelle

There are different clubs that use different standards.

You have a choice, have a docked dog or have a tailed dog.

Thereafter you have more choices - shows using the FCI standard - ARV, USRC, AIRK, or independent shows like UKC where they have their own standard.

AKC is one of those venues where they have what is originating standard for the rottweiler, which was universal until recent years.

It is great to have conversations like this. I appreciate your questions.

Please share your name.

It is no choice not to be able to show in AKC or Not.Tailed dogs are being driven out of the AKC ring.So most people wish.
The standard does not say a tailed dog can not show.It even allows for a tail in the AKC standard.
Tail--Tail docked short, close to body, leaving one or two tail vertebrae. The set of the tail is more important than length. Properly set, it gives an impression of elongation of topline; carried slightly above horizontal when the dog is excited or moving.
Yes it says docked,but set should always be more important.
But with the breed clubs making Judges sign a contract stating they would not put up a tailed dog or they will never Judge a Spec again is wrong.
Or having people threaten to poison dogs with tails if they come to shows is also wrong.
I have docked dogs,and like a docked tail,but I am open minded unlike most in the breed.


Maybe with tailed dogs in the ring Judges would see correct tail sets and the dogs that are winning today would not be.
How can a dog be correct without a croup.
Watch the Westmenister video and tell me half those dogs have correct structure...It is say that a working dog gets so tired just running around a small ring.
Donna

[Rottnbelle]

Hello Donna.

Good to have you here.

The standard does say that the set of the tail is more important than length, however, it also states at the beginning of that section that the tail is docked 1 or 2 vertebrae. Obviously. The set is more important than the length means not to worry about measuring how many vertebrae. It certainly cannot mean undocked, can it when it says clearly, Docked!

Good to have you in the discussion. Hope you enjoy the forum.

Let's also note that when people get a dog, tailed or not, they alerady know what their options are. In the FCI rings there is a standard for the tail. The UKC standard is the most flexible allowing tails, no matter what they are like, along with docked dogs.

Sounds like a great place to show your tailed dogs.

You find the venue that fits your plans and have fun, fun, fun.