Created in 1969, the National Kennel Club is a dog breed registry that helps to register and to recognize all dog breeds. Within the United States, it tries to maintain integrity among dog breed lines, while also helping members learn more about dogs, how to care for them, and what makes for a strong breed representation. However, unlike many other kennel clubs and dog registries, the National Kennel Club has been under fire for being too loose in their standards of course, it may also be that other dog registry organizations are too rigid. This discussion may never be resolved to anyone's satisfaction, so here is some basic information on the National Kennel Club, what it does, and what others are concerned about.

The Goals of the AKC

With such a recent beginning, there is little history of the National Kennel Club to discuss. But the overall intentions of the club seem to speak volumes to its creation. Unlike so many other dog registries, the NKC works to bring together all dog breeds, regardless of their rarity or their individual features. That is to say, all dog breeds are recognized as equals, helping to promote respect of all breeds, regardless of how perfect their breeding or characteristics are determined to be.

The National Kennel Club wants to improve the breeding of all dog breeds as well as to improve the actions of breeds across the United States. Competitions are also encouraged among these breeds in order to promote health and wellness among the breeds, further increasing the strength of the breeding lines. But it's the commitment to helping everyday dog owners raise healthy dogs that sets the American Kennel Club apart from other dog clubs.

The Everyday Dog Owner

By encouraging dog owners to properly care for their dogs, the blood lines are going to be stronger, even without the rigid breeding standards that other kennel clubs list. Giving the members of the NKC new and updated information about caring for dogs allows everyone to have the best information science has to offer about dog care.

The Controversy of Puppy Mills

The biggest concern that other dog owners and other kennel clubs have is that the National Kennel Club doesn't seem to look at the health of the applicants, nor are they looking deeply into the heritage of the dogs. This might be creating a jumble of mixed breeds and pedigrees rather than clean lines for breeding. Calling it a puppy mill is not necessary in most people's eyes. Because of their dedication to the proper care and maintenance of dogs, the National Kennel Club is certainly doing more good than they are doing harm.

The National Kennel Club allows all dog owners the chance to register their dogs via a simple paperwork process. This application and registration allows the dogs to enter into contests and other NKC sponsored events. But in the end, it's the valuable information on their website and in their publications that helps owners enjoy their dogs.