Registry Options - AKC/FSS and the DDBS Database
In the past, the DDBS listed a few registries that the club felt was suitable for the breed. In the effort to go forward with the Dogue de Bordeaux, and obtain full AKC recognition (see below), the DDBS now will recommend only ONE registry for the Dogue de Bordeaux in the best interest of the breed - AKC's Foundation Stock Service.
The DDBS advises that all new dogs and litters be listed with the AKC's Foundation Stock Service. As well, if you have a dog that has not been submitted to the DDBS Database and is not AKC FSS registered, we strongly advise you to register them with AKC FSS. Please contact the FSS at 919-233-9767 for more information on their service. It will be very beneficial to the breed and the goals of the club if dogs are listed with the FSS if they have not been previously submitted to the DDBS for the DDBS database.
At this time the DDBS database is closed and the Dogue de Bordeaux will begin showing in the AKC Miscellaneous class as of July 1, 2006. We now need to work towards obtaining AKC Working Group status, this means more continued support of all Dogue de Bordeaux owners. Please got to www.akc.org to find local shows after July 1, 2006 that you can enter with your dog.
Please take a moment to read more about registries in the US by going to the "So Many Registries" page. Here you will find a quick and easy reference to registries for the breed. And also bookmark "AKC Questions" for updates on progress the club is making towards AKC recognition of the breed
The DDBS Database
The DDBS Database (formerly known as the DDBS Stud Book or Registry) was compiled to provide the AKC with the most accurate and correct history of the breed possible, another step toward recognition. The DDBS Database was also an opportunity for people who have dogs registered USBC, FIC, UKC, and/or FCI to be in the database when this is turned over to AKC without having to Dual Register (when the AKC approves the DDBS Database, all dogs in the database will automatically be listed with the FSS for free); PLEASE NOTE THIS DATABASE IS NOW CLOSED AND THE DDBS STRONGLY ADVISES THE USE OF AKC FSS ONLY AT THIS TIME.
(**please note that dogs with incomplete registration history - meaning all dogs in the three generation pedigree without proper and valid registration numbers, will not be 100% recognized until there are three generations of valid registration numbers. Valid registration numbers include foreign numbers, UKC numbers, USBC numbers, and DDBS numbers. The AKC FSS will include them in their database but they will not receive full recongnition until the three generation rule is met).
The team that worked on the database carefully reviewed all pedigrees submitted for accuracy. It was important that pedigrees have as much information as possible, including registration numbers of lineage.
AKC And the Dogue de Bordeaux
In the summer of 1997, the club membership voted to pursue AKC recognition for the breed. Since that time many people have come on board, and some have questioned this decision. We get calls from people complaining about their past experience with AKC, how they think it will ruin the breed, change the breed, popularize the breed, etc. the following will help everyone understand a little bit on why AKC is a necessity for the Dogue de Bordeaux in the US. Please note the DDBS is currently taking steps towards AKC recongnition of the breed.
Why do we need AKC?
For the simple reason that our dogues here in the US, if they are not FCI registered (not FIC - FCI), they are NOT recognized ANYWHERE else in the world. No one will buy your dogs, regardless of accomplishments, no one will bred to them. FCI is worldwide, except in the United States. You cannot compete in any FCI event (like the World Show) unless you have FCI or AKC (not FSS) paperwork. You can never achieve a true international championship unless you are FCI or AKC registered. Our dogs are "lost" to the rest of the world. AKC recognizes FCI ,and FCI recognizes AKC, only. FCI does NOT recognize the USBC, FSS, UKC, FIC, SKC or any other registry except AKC in the United States for the Dogue de Bordeaux. If you are told you can get FCI paperwork with any of these registries by going through another country, that is fraud, the FCI will find out about it and take away your privileges, and your FCI paperwork will be recended. If you are not in good standing with the FCI, you are not in good standing with the AKC, do not be duped into believing you can get FCI paperwork this way. For the breed to continue to thrive and improve, we must be able to share our lines with the world, the only way that will happen is if people know that the litters can be registered with an organization that recognizes the dogs.
AKC will ruin the breed/change the breed.
History teaches us, history can tell us what breeds have been ruined in the US by becoming AKC, and HOW. How is with weak clubs . The breed needs a strong club that will send in delegates to work with keeping the breed history pure, and following the FCI standard. Without a strong club, the breed will suffer. 200 + members, 200 + voices, and a board that works overtime is a strong club. A strong organization will help the breed stay true.
AKC will popularize the breed/they will become "cheap dogs"
And Disney didn't??? Everyone wants a "Hooch Dog" since 1986, the breed has been popular for some time. Pricing issue's: Have you tried to buy a Bullmastiff lately? Prices are still $1500 and up, even though they are a popular AKC breed. The price of the dog, who the dog goes to, how they are bred, depend on YOU, the breeder. If everyone sells their dogs for $500, then that will be the price, if you keep it up to $1500+, that is where it will be. Majority tells you where the prices are going. Breeders are the backbone, the basis, of prices, of popularity. They should carefully screen applicants, if they can't afford your asking price, do you think they can afford to care for the dog? Pets must go with spay/neuter contracts, breeding dogs with show contracts. Again, it is up to the breeders to control price and popularity, not the AKC.
There will be too many politics in the ring, the professional
handlers will always win.
Look around you at the next show, I bet you can pick out the pro's with your eyes closed. We experience that now. Politics? Again, we see the favorites winning because they are judges favorite PEOPLE. There is no way to avoid it, but you can do your best to become an excellent owner/handler, show your best dogs, and get YOURSELF out there. When you win, you know it is on the merits of your dog. Again, it is up to us to make a difference.
The judges won't know the breed.
To become a licensed judge with AKC in any breed, the person must go through rigorous tests, kennel visits, stewardship of judges who judge the breed, etc. etc. becoming a licensed judge in a breed with AKC and FCI is not an easy task. Right now you may think that anyone can be a judge, well, in rare breeds, that is true. There is no testing of judges, a lot of them just get thrown in the ring with a standard. Although clubs like the USNMC (United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club), and eventually the DDBS have sanctioning programs to educate the judges, other rare groups don't do anything like that. But with AKC, if you have not passed the test on he breed, and gone through all the procedures, you cannot judge the breed. We will start to get knowledgeable judges, people who KNOW the breed, not just reading a standard. This will not always guarantee knowledgeable judges, but it is a step toward that.
Granted there will be some negative points, but the positive outweighs them here: World wide recognition of our dogs, educated judges, shows nationwide, the ability to show international, and the ability to start to merge lines. AKC is a reality, and we must continue to go forward, one breed worldwide. If you have any concerns or questions regarding AKC, please email our AKC Delegate: Val Barr.