Mary Allen
What is the AKC?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1884 that maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world. The AKC is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of all breeds of dogs and provides numerous resources for dog owners, breeders, and enthusiasts. The AKC also conducts dog shows and events, including the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
What is the Croatian Sheepdog?
The Croatian Sheepdog, also known as Hrvatski Ovcar, is a medium-sized herding dog breed that originated in Croatia. These dogs are intelligent, loyal, and hard-working, making them excellent working dogs for herding and guarding livestock. The Croatian Sheepdog has a long, thick coat that can be black, gray, or brown and requires regular grooming to maintain its appearance.
History of the Croatian Sheepdog
The Croatian Sheepdog has been used as a working dog in Croatia for centuries. However, the breed was nearly extinct after World War II due to a decline in the demand for working dogs. In the 1970s, a group of breed enthusiasts began working to revive the breed, and in 1998, the Croatian Sheepdog was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
AKC recognition process
To become a recognized breed by the AKC, a breed must go through a multi-step process. First, the breed must be recognized by the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service (FSS), which allows breeders to register their dogs and maintain accurate pedigrees. Once a breed is in the FSS, it can compete in AKC-sanctioned events and apply for recognition in the Miscellaneous Class.
AKC Foundation Stock Service
The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is a program that allows rare and exotic dog breeds to be registered with the AKC. The FSS provides a way for breeders to maintain accurate pedigrees and for the AKC to track the breed’s development. Dogs in the FSS are not yet recognized by the AKC and cannot compete in AKC-sanctioned events.
Croatian Sheepdog in the AKC FSS
The Croatian Sheepdog was added to the AKC FSS in 2017. This allowed breeders to register their dogs with the AKC and maintain accurate pedigrees. Dogs in the FSS can also participate in AKC-sanctioned events such as herding trials and obedience competitions.
Croatian Sheepdog in the AKC Misc Class
Once a breed has been in the FSS for at least one year and has a minimum number of dogs registered, it can apply for recognition in the AKC Miscellaneous Class. The Miscellaneous Class is a stepping stone to full AKC recognition and allows dogs to compete in AKC-sanctioned events.
Requirements for AKC recognition
To be fully recognized by the AKC, a breed must have a minimum number of dogs registered with the AKC and a breed club that meets certain criteria. The breed must also have a breed standard that describes the ideal physical and temperament traits of the breed.
Benefits of AKC recognition
AKC recognition can provide numerous benefits to a breed, including increased visibility and popularity, access to AKC resources, and the ability to compete in AKC-sanctioned events. AKC recognition can also help ensure the health and well-being of a breed by promoting responsible breeding practices and providing breed-specific health information.
Future of the Croatian Sheepdog in AKC
The Croatian Sheepdog is still a relatively new breed to the AKC and is currently in the Miscellaneous Class. However, with its loyal and hard-working nature, the Croatian Sheepdog has the potential to become a popular breed in the United States. Continued efforts to promote the breed and educate the public about its unique characteristics will be important in its future development.
Conclusion and final thoughts
The Croatian Sheepdog is a unique and hard-working breed that has a rich history in Croatia. While still relatively new to the AKC, the breed has made great strides in recent years and is now recognized in the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service. With continued efforts to promote the breed and educate the public, the Croatian Sheepdog has the potential to become a popular breed in the United States. AKC recognition can provide numerous benefits to the breed and help ensure its health and well-being for years to come.