Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Oahu, HI
Posts: 5

I'd like to know why one would opt to register with AKC over UKC or vice versa. What's the major differences? Are there any pros or cons as to which Club one chooses to register the dog with? Any help is very much appreciated!

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We are both dog registries. AKC is the oldest and the largest in the world. UKC is the second oldest and second largest dog registry in the world. UKC is the largest working dog registry in the world.

If you've read anything about UKC, you will know that our philosophies are different. For example, we promote the Total Dog concept a dog balanced in structure, temperament and function. We understand it is close to impossible to Champion your dog at AKC unless you hire a professional handler. UKC believes strongly in owner/handler events and thus professional handlers are not allowed unless showing their own dogs.

UKC events are friendly and relaxed. We allow day of show entries at most events.

UKC is privately owned where AKC is a not for profit organization. You might think that not for profit would be preferable but many fanciers find that kind of thinking amusing as AKC's registration fees are double that of UKC.

UKC was the first registry to: establish a puppy mill program, to establish a DNA program, to offer and promote a total dog program. We consider our working events just as important as conformation events. That's why all titles are placed before the dog's name. AKC lists conformation titles in front of the dog's name and working events at the end of the dog's name indicating the conformation titles are more important than the working titles. We couldn't disagree more. In fact, at our Coonhound events, for example, the trophies for the working events are larger than they are for the conformation show indicating function is more important in those breeds. In our hunting Beagle program a dog must hunt before it can be shown.

One doesn't have to choose either registry over the other, they can have both. This gives the owner the opportunity to play both games.

These are just some of the examples. I invite you all out there to also comment on what you see the differences to be.

Last edited by on 07-17-2003 at 01:01 PM

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Leesburg
Posts: 691

I am very involved in the AKC, so everything I say from here on comes from deep within my heart. Now don't get me wrong, the AKC is a fine registry, but I LOVE the UKC. My entire family is involved with the UKC (family being a very important word here). I have met people through the UKC that I only get to see once a year and I consider these people some of my very good friends (friends - another important word). I am constantly meeting new friends, discovering new breeds, and having a blast doing it all. I also feel that the UKC (exhibitors and staff) are very encouraging. In the UKC everyone remembers what it feels like to be a "beginner".

OK, in short (because I could go on and on) the UKC is where I WANT to be. Give the UKC a try, and you'll see why.

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Tina L. Camp

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: OR
Posts: 295

Well, I don't see any major reason to pick one over the other... I do both. I do have to say that you don't necessarily need a professional handler in AKC shows... it depends on the breed. I like it that you can't have professional handlers in UKC at all, though, because it takes the emphasis off the handling. While there are some very good handlers showing in the UKC, the judges seem more willing to make an effort to see past the handling to the quality of the dogs.

UKC events tend to have a more fun, relaxed atmosphere. And the service from the UKC is excellent. I've found that my title certificates from the UKC arrive much more quickly than my AKC title certificates... some of this could be due to it being a smaller registry, but then, they must also have a smaller staff. The UKC seems more responsive in general to exhibitor concerns.

I wish I could get more people in my breed interested in exhibiting in the UKC, but at least I have the performance options, which are good in the UKC. I do admit to a personal preference for AKC style agility, but others prefer UKC, it's just a matter of taste. UKC obedience is fun, more meaningful, and not as obsessed with precision. And then there's weight pull....

The only big drawback to UKC events, is that there aren't as many of them. I tend to prioritize UKC events because of that, if I have a choice of events to enter.

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