AKC & the Dogue de Bordeaux, and other
important info
HURRAY! The day all fanciers of the Dogue
de Bordeaux have waited for.... full AKC recognition!!!! And that dream
came true on July 1st, 2008... that was the day that the DDB breed went
from AKC Miscellaneous to being a fully vested AKC recognized breed,
and part of AKC's "Working Group".
This is exciting news, and
opens up alot of doors for the breed, giving dogue owners some
opportunities that were never available before.
This means that the breed is now able to enter AKC's conformation
show rings at shows all across the nation, and compete for AKC
Championship titles!
HOWEVER, this joyous event
will also come with some roadblocks, as not all dogues will
be a "shoe in", and be eligible to show in AKC. As a newly recognized
breed, AKC has strict requirements that allow only certain dogues
meeting a specific pedigree criteria to show at AKC conformation events.
These requirements are, that no dogue is eligible to show UNLESS it has
a 3 generation pedigree of dogues behind them who ALL have registration
numbers, and these registration number must
come from ONLY AKC acceptable
registries.
If ANY
of the14 dogues (15 including your own dogue) within your dogues 3
generation pedigree lack a registration number, or lack being
registered by one of these AKC accepted associations, your dogue WILL NOT be allowed to show
at AKC conformation events.
For an example of a complete, AKC accepted pedigree, see Tori's pedigree
or Maddox's
pedigree.
The AKC will NOT accept, nor do they consider any of the following
registries as acceptable: Federation of International Canines (FIC) out
of Alabama, American Pet Registry (APR), American Canine Association
(ACA), Continental Kennel Club (CKC), Dog Registry of America (DRA) or
any other registry not
listed above in blue.
Any dogues not in AKC's system as of July 1st, 2008, are shut out
forever. July 1, 2008 and and after, only dogues imported from Europe,
who have European
FCI (Federation Cynologique
Internationale) will be accepted in for registry as an
"outside" dogue. AKC has special requirements for accepting these
dogues in for full AKC status.
After 7/1/08, any dogue NOT posessing AKC registry, has no future
in the United States.
Any breeder selling DDB puppies with any registration papers in the
place of AKC, are selling PETS ONLY
- no matter how beautiful, no matter how heaalthy (although, sadly, some
of these breeders will tell you otherwise, just to gain a sale), as
those dogues are worthless for showing, breeding or having any future
in the breed. This is not an opinion, this is a fact, and no slick
talking can change what the facts are.
Full AKC registry has now made AKC paperwork on a Dogue de Bordeaux the
only paperwork that counts, or that means anything. All other paperwork
is obsolete. Pups not possessing AKC papers, are strictly pets only, no
matter what the physical characteristics are of that puppy are, and
will also be worth a greatly lower price than pups possessing AKC
paperwork.
Some breeders dual or triple register their puppies with other
registries, such as UKC, FIC (out of AL) and CKC. This is ok, but, in
order for your puppy to be "valid", it must also come with AKC
registration papers as well. Without AKC papers, any other papers are
not worth the paper they are written on if you plan to breed or show
that dogue.
Many people ask what AKC's requirements are and what is meant by a
"Valid" or "Verifiable" AKC pedigree, which will allow DDB's to enter
the AKC conformation show rings. Here is an explanation, in detail, of
what the requirements are, and how they can be obtained.
Your first dogue entered into AKC's system and who is registered
through them as your starting point, is considered "Generation Zero".
Generation Zero dogues are not
eligible to show in AKC conformation events, however, by this dogue
being AKC
registered, this dogue will still be able to be bred, and it's puppies
registered AKC, provided the dog you bred this dogue to is also AKC
registered.
From there, the puppies you just produced out of these two AKC dogues
would be considered "Generation
1". Generation 1 pups are not eligible to show in AKC conformation
rings either, but, by
these puppies being AKC
registered, they would still be able to be bred, and their puppies
could be
registered AKC, and again, provided the dogs you bred them to are also
AKC
registered.
Pups produced out of your Generation 1 litter, if they go on to breed
to AKC dogues and
their pups are also AKC registered, those pups would be "Generation 2".
Generation 2 pups are also not eligible to show in AKC
conformation rings, but, by
these puppies being AKC
registered, they would still be able to be bred, and their puppies
could be
registered AKC, and again, provided the dogs you bred them to are also
AKC
registered.
From there, the pups from Generation 2, if bred to dogues with AKC
papers, and if their litter is also AKC registered, that litter would
then
be "Generation 3".
Now, Generation 3 dogues WOULD
be eligible to compete in AKC conformation rings, as they would then
have the AKC requirement fulfilled, being 3 generations of AKC
registered and accepted dogues behind them in their pedigree.
It's not a difficult process, but it can be a lengthy one.
Due to the length of time it can take, Foundation Stock Service was
opened up 10 years prior to full AKC recognition of the breed, in order
for people to begin registering their dogues in AKC's system, and to
start building pedigrees with the full AKC requirement for pedigrees.
The hope was that by the time full AKC was granted, most dogues would
have the pedigree requirement satisfied, and would be eligible to walk
into AKC conformation rings.
Many dogues still DO NOT have the pedigree requirement, as there are
some breeders who came in late into the game, and still have not
satisified the requirement, and therefore, their dogues cannot show in
AKC conformation yet.
The reason for this requirement is that AKC has a standard of
integrity, and they
want to make sure that dogs who receive AKC titles are dogues who have
a 3 generation proven line of dog behind them, and that they have been
bred and registered ONLY through the most reputable kennel clubs in the
world. This is to ensure the quality and purity of a breed.
Many people say "My dogue is
registered through FIC out of Alabama. And AKC will not consider
registering a dogue with such paperwork".
Yes, this is true. AKC has never considered FIC (Federation of
International Canines) as a valid registry. Dogs with FIC paperwork
would be deemed pets only, as they have no future in the world of AKC
that the DDB breed has now risen to.
It has been stated though, that AKC will continue to register Dogues
with UKC paperwork for a while after the full recognition date of July
1, 2008. You will have to phone AKC and ask for details.
If you want to apply for UKC registry in an attempt to then get your
dogue AKC registered from there, you will need to be aware of UKC's
requirements.
UKC (United Kennel Club) will not recognize any dogue for
registration if you cannot produce a 3 generation pedigree. You must
have an official pedigree
issued by FIC, (or any other accepted UKC registry) as well as
original FIC papers showing the dogue
is registered in your name, before they will consider registration.
They will accept copies, but these must be copies of original
paperwork, not a pedigree made up on a computer by yourself or by the
breeder.
UKC will even ask for photos of your dogue before giving final
registration approval. Call them before sending in
your registration application, to find out what they may additionally
require of you. Their number is 269-343-9020, and you would need to
speak to Judy Threlfall. Their hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM EST.
UKC does not accept any of the other registries that AKC also denies,
EXCEPT for FIC. If your dogue has ACA, APR, CKC (Continental Kennel
Club) or any other registration
except for the ones mentioned that are accepted, they will not consider
your dogue for registration for any reason.
One important note, when you are surfing the internet for Dogue pups or
when
you look through puppy and dog sales magazines, as it is common for
people who
have mixed breed Dogues de Bordeaux or very poor quality dogues and do
not have legitimate papers on their dogues, for them to get their
dogues
registered by these "fly by night" registries (ACA, APR, CKC) as an
attempt to get "some"
kind of paperwork to try to get more money out of their
pups. They believe that they can con naive people into buying them and
that they will just
assume that any papers on a dogue is good enough. IT IS NOT.
APR (or APRI) is a common one that alot of backyard breeders and puppy
mills are
using to register their "garbage" .
So, don't be shy about asking for proof of legitimate registry. And if
you need to, ask them to fax, email or xerox and mail you a copy of the
AKC papers and AKC pedigree (showing all registration numbers of all
dogues in the 3 generation pedigree) of the sire & dam to verify
that you are getting what you pay for. Most reputable breeders already
have their pedigrees listed on their websites. If a breeder doesn't,
this may be a big red flag.
Anyone selling any dogue should have AKC, UKC or European FCI papers -
any
of those 3 are at the top of reputable, but minimally they should have
AKC if the dogue is ever intended for breeding or showing.
If anyone tells you that you do not need AKC papers on your dogue if
you plan to show it or breed it is telling you a straight out LIE. Do
not believe this statement. Some unethical people will tell you
anything just to
get a sale.
The total future of this breed is AKC registry, plain & simple. So
insist
upon it in anything you buy.
Even if you only want a pet and have no plans to breed or show, it is
still wise to
insist on a dogue out of AKC registered parents.
The reason for this is that with AKC parents, your chances are much
higher of getting a better quality pup, as well as the lineage is
authentic, and this will give a better insight into health, longevity
and temperament of your dogue.
Dogues that come from questionable pedigrees and/or registries with
flimsy reputations, often have pedigrees that are simply "made up", or
their ancestry is from unverifiable lineage, and this could mean you
might be getting a dogue with lots of problems who may cost you many
dollars in veterinary bills, as well as alot of heartache in the
future, or you may even be
getting a mixed breed!
Also, never buy any dog of any breed on a whim. Please make any
purchase of any dog, something that you research well, to be certain it
is the breed for you. Many dogs will not fit your lifestyle, and you
need to know that before
you take the animal into your home. Rescue
associations
and shelters are overflowing with unwanted animals, and many, many more
animals are killed every year in these facilties than are adopted out.
This is very sad.
Don't be part of the problem! Don't bring a life into this world, only
to have it snuffed out through euthanasia because no one wanted it, or
it couldn't get a proper home. These are lives that are being brought
into this world, and such lives should not be so easily expendable!
Anyone who plans to breed should only do so if their dog truly offers a
benefit to the breed. Don't be "blinded" by your love for your pet.
Everyone loves their pet and thinks it's the most beautiful creature on
the planet... however, just because it's beautiful in your eyes does
not mean it meets the breed standard or that it would be a candidate to
be bred. If you plan to breed, no matter how
beautiful you think your dog is in your eyes, it needs to be health
tested and pass those tests, as well as be evaluated by a qualified
judge to be certain it is of breed standard quality to be bred!
Additional considerations: The Dogue de Bordeaux does drool, and
sometimes quite heavily. That is
the norm for the breed, usually occuring when it's hot out, or right
after eating or drinking. This is a complete turn off for some
people, and can sometimes be a sale killer.
There is no such thing as a "dry mouth" dogue de bordeaux, so if anyone
tells you
there is, they're either telling you a lie, or trying to sell you a
mixed breed.
The Dogue can also be very territorial and sometimes not good with
other animals, as
well as standoffish or even confrontational with people they do not
know.
They can also be very bullheaded and may challenge you when given
correction, and this may require you actually having to take physical
measures in order to get compliance, and since this is a large breed of
dog, only a strong, healthy person should own this breed.
Some people have the misconception in thinking that all breeds of dog
have the
same temperament and the same health, just they look different. This is
SO
UNTRUE. Some breeds need very strong, very strict owners, and the Dogue
de Bordeaux is one of these breeds.
Also, never buy a dog with the idea in mind that you want to become a
breeder. Breeding is not a profitable business, especially if you want
to produce happy, healthy pups that people will want to buy. You cannot
cut corners if you want to produce quality pups that people will want
to spend their hard earned money on.
Breeding can be unpredictable, and there are things that can and do go
wrong, and issues can arise that will cost you lots and lots of money.
It is not uncommon for some female dogues from certain bloodlines to
require c-sections when they are bred. A c-section can cost as much as
$3,000
depending on where you live, and the risk to the mother dog and pups is
great. They (mother and pups) could even die from such a procedure.
Death in short muzzled breeds, due to being put under anesthesia, is
higher than in any other dog breeds in the world.
Bloat also occurs in this breed, and it can cost thousands of dollars
for surgery to try to save the dogue, and still 25% to 30% of them will
not
make it.
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a breed that requires a vigilant owner and one
who is willing to go the distance with them, no matter what.
It is also a breed that requires being maintained within the home as a
part of the family, and not kenneled or chained outdoors. This is a
breed that is very human oriented, and need the constant human
interaction that home raised dogs get.
If you cage, kennel or chain a dogue for most of it's life and treat it
like a farm animal, it's almost guaranteed it will be a problem dog.
Don't get a dogue if you know you cannot commit to it being a
house-pet. A dogues soul is very deep, and to deny it a home
environment will cause their soul to rot, and the dogue will become a
problematic dog.
As a final note, be sure you are researching your breed throroughly
before committing to buy. Make sure you buy from a reputable breeder
who has many years of experience under their belt in the breed and who
knows the health and temperament of the dogs in the pedigree, and also,
INSIST on nothing less than AKC registry.
Also, avoid buying from breeders who have been barred or disciplined or
denied priviledges by any club or association for poor ethics, nor
should you consider buying a pup from anyone who produces dogues on a
large scale. If
a breeder produces more than just a few litters a year, you may want to
consider that the quality of those pups may not be worth the hard
earned money you pay for it.
It can't be stressed enough how important it is to avoid anyone breeder
who is selling dogues for a premium price but requires that you breed
the dogue and give them puppies out of it. Any dogue sold at $1,500 USD
or more should not have the requirement of the new owner to breed it
and give puppies back to the breeder.
Any dogue sold at a fair market value should be yours, lock, stock and
barrel. You should not have to pay the breeder for the puppy and then
pay them again by giving up the pups the dogue produces later on.
Breeders who do this are running pyramid schemes, and are looking to
make maximum profit at the expense of the dogue and at the expense of
YOUR wallet.
Con artists and frauds are in every breed of dog and some are good at
their smoke & mirrors game.
Always be sure to do a search on the internet of a breeder before
buying a puppy. Look to see if they've been disciplined by any clubs,
have a criminal background, have a bad rating with the Better Business
Bureau and if they have a large number of unsatisfied puppy buyers.
Doing your homework IS work, but it's the best defense in ensuring that
you get the dogue you want, and not an expensive headache.
