AKC and Boerboels

[Phyllis matyjewicz]

KC Breeds by Group

Miscellaneous Class

The breeds currently eligible to participate in the Miscellaneous Class are still enrolled in the AKC Foundation Stock Service®. FSS® enrollment is maintained until the AKC Board of Directors accepts the breed for regular status.

Authorities acknowledge that throughout the world there are several hundred distinct breeds of purebred dogs, not all of which are AKC recognized breeds. Those officially recognized for AKC registration appear in the Stud Book of the American Kennel Club. The AKC provides for a regular path of development for a new breed, which may result in that breed’s full recognition and appearance in the official Stud Book as an AKC recognized breed.

Briefly stated, the requirement for admission to the Stud Book is clear and categorical proof that a substantial, sustained nationwide interest and activity in the breed exists. This includes an active parent club, with serious and expanding breeding activity over a wide geographic area.

When in the judgment of the Board of Directors such interest and activity exists, a breed is admitted to the Miscellaneous Class. Breeds in the Miscellaneous Class may compete and earn titles in Companion Events and also select Performance Events. Miscellaneous breeds are also eligible to compete in Junior Showmanship. They may also compete at conformation shows, but here are limited to competition in the Miscellaneous Class and are not eligible for championship points.

When the Board of Directors is satisfied that a breed is continuing a healthy, dynamic growth in the Miscellaneous Class, it may be admitted to registration in the Stud Book and the opportunity to compete in regular classes.

American English Coonhound	Bergamasco	Boerboel	Cesky Terrier	Chinook

[Jennifer Sider]

Re: Lee;

[ksdale]

I happened to stumble across a similar discussion on Boerboels on line a few weeks ago and had drafted a few thoughts.  I would like to take the time to address some of the comments on this thread and the other thread as well.

 

Concern/Comment:
AKC registration/recognition leads to:

• a rise in the popularity of the breed
• breeders whose sole focus is money
• indiscriminant breeding practices
• decline in quality
• no health testing required for registration

When I first began to research and look for a Boerboel, there were a handful of breeders to be found on the internet, nationally or internationally.   I think anyone who has been in Boerboels for the past several years have been witness to an explosion of Boerboel breeders, a rise in popularity, a growing number of Boerboels in need of rescue and a plethora of heretofore unknown health problems.  The above noted items have been in play for some time now.  To attribute these phenomenon’s to the AKC would not be accurate.  Additionally, to my knowledge, not one of the current Boerboel registries requires health certifications in order to facilitate the registration of a single dog or a litter.  

This is not a registry problem.  This is a breeder problem.  To condemn any registry for these events is allowing individuals who breed dogs to relinquish culpability.  In order to begin to address these issues, individuals/breeders must accept responsibility and be held accountable by the breed organizations.  The second step is education; breeder education, owner education, potential owner education and judge education.  Overall this is a role for the breed organizations. However, it is also a responsibility of breeders to inform puppy buyers of the nuances of the breed and provide resources that will afford the best chance of success.  

Specifically, the American Boerboel Club addresses these issues by requiring members to sign and abide by a code of ethics.  We have in place a test that allows you to evaluate the temperament/bidabillity of your Boerboel.  We have a working title that your Boerboel can earn through participation in a number of various activities and venues.  We have held and been active in numerous activities that have offered the opportunity to introduce and/or educate the public, breeders and judges alike, about the Boerboel.   We respond to a variety of questions from the AKC website as well as requests for where/how to find a breeder from.  The list goes on and will continue to grow as the Breed and the club increases in numbers.  

Concern/Comment:

“While currently the AKC will only accept dogs who are already registered with a breed registry, that will soon change when they are fully accepted in to the Misc. Class.”

The above statement is inaccurate.  While the Boerboel is in the AKC miscellaneous class, we remain in the Foundation Stock Service Program.  In order to register your Boerboel with the AKC FSS they must be registered in your name with a recognized Boerboel registry.  The recognized registries are as follows; KUSA, SABT, EBBASA, ABC and the USBA.

 

Concern/Comment:

AKC Breed Standard containing a disqualification for the color Black, with no brindle present.

For edification purposes, the AKC does not create the standard, the parent club creates and owns the breed standard.  When creating the breed standard the club must use the standard of the country of origin, and put into the American Kennel Club format.  Once the breed standard is finalized it must be voted on by the club membership.  

Usually the country of origin breed standard would be an FCI standard.  Ours was a challenging situation in that there was more than one South African Breed registration organization and each has its own standard.  The AKC breed standard is consistent with two of the three.

SABT: The recognized colors are all shades of yellow, brown or brindle

KUSA: The recognized colors / color patterns are (with or without a mask): Solid red, yellow (fawn)

Brindle: Brindle is a color pattern with irregular vertical lines of only black hair on yellow (fawn) or red base.

No other colors or color patterns are allowed.
EBBASA:  All color variations ranging are acceptable subject to the following: Total area of white (poorly pigmented) skin may not exceed 33%.  Multi color dogs will be accepted as long as the dominant color is not white and the dog shows adequate pigmentation, especially on the lips, palate, skin and hair around both eyes, anus and sex organs.  Powder blue, very light yellow, very light fawn and other lightly pigmented dogs will be appraised based on the amount of pigmentation on all key areas, spotted dogs will be appraised based on the amount of pigmentation, similarity of coloring to other dog breeds and number and mix of colors and black dogs will be appraised on the dogs Boerboel characteristics.

 

Again, some of these are issues were raised on another site (http://www.boerboelsonline.com/showthread.php?149-AKC-and-the-Boerboel)

 

The American Boerboel Club encourages every Boerboel owner and breeder to have input and a long-term affect on the direction of the Boerboel by joining and supporting a breed club where you can have a say and a vote.  I would like to once again emphasize, though the American Boerboel Club is now the AKC Parent Club, the American Boerboel Club is a BREED club, not an AKC club.  Further, I would like to once again issue an invitation, no matter your venue of choice, to join with the American Boerboel Club in this important and exciting time.   

Kerri

[Lee May]

Ksdale your satatment on the Black Boerboel is incorrect the SABT Does and has for some time now excepted the Black color as a true BB color and thus are now/have been registering them and doing Appraisals fully. What ABC group do you represent? If you are americian Group under AKC then how long has your ORG. been around and what are your standards in full please? What are your interest in the BB Community? What other BB groups recognize your registeration paper work and lineal guarentee with returns to your Org? I did leave a message on other site for you but have not seen a return.  Peace Lee 

[kate nicholson]

Lee the SABT does not accept black as a color.  It is considered a variant of brindle.  This is from the SABT site  In summary – black is not a SABBA recognised colour. It is merely accepted as a variation of the black in the brindle.

Lee May said:

Ksdale your satatment on the Black Boerboel is incorrect the SABT Does and has for some time now excepted the Black color as a true BB color and thus are now/have been registering them and doing Appraisals fully. What ABC group do you represent? If you are americian Group under AKC then how long has your ORG. been around and what are your standards in full please? What are your interest in the BB Community? What other BB groups recognize your registeration paper work and lineal guarentee with returns to your Org? I did leave a message on other site for you but have not seen a return.  Peace Lee 

[Lee May]

Hey Kate, Thanks for that. I was told by 2 SA breeders that they were in for registering, Why is nothing ever clear. Are they in or not? Do you know? How is brindling considered a dominate color?  Thanks Lee

[kate nicholson]

Hey Lee, the only way they can be registered is as brindle.  Most of them have brown in their coat.  Maximally expressed brindle.  So no they cannot be registered as black.  Doesn't matter if it is a dominant color it is what is accepted.  Personally I don't get the whole black thing.  They don't do a thing for me.

Lee May said:

Hey Kate, Thanks for that. I was told by 2 SA breeders that they were in for registering, Why is nothing ever clear. Are they in or not? Do you know? How is brindling considered a dominate color?  Thanks Lee

[ksdale]

Lee May said:

 

Ksdale your satatment on the Black Boerboel is incorrect the SABT Does and has for some time now excepted the Black color as a true BB color and thus are now/have been registering them and doing Appraisals fully. What ABC group do you represent? If you are americian Group under AKC then how long has your ORG. been around and what are your standards in full please? What are your interest in the BB Community? What other BB groups recognize your registeration paper work and lineal guarentee with returns to your Org? I did leave a message on other site for you but have not seen a return.  Peace Lee 

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Hi Lee,

 

Sorry it has taken me a few days to respond to your post.  I was sleeping off the “groggy” from anesthesia most of Friday.  I enjoyed the sleep.  I spent the weekend at dog shows. 

 

Kate pretty much answered the question with regard to the SABT and the Black Boerboels. Thanks Kate :-) 

 Lee, you are not the only one who is under the impression or has observed or heard that the SABT is registering Black Boerboels.  That is why we very carefully studied each Breed standard and the 2008 Statement from the SABT regarding the subject.  This is a quote from that SABT Statement “I am not aware of black dogs with paperwork. Therefore they will be dealt with in the Development Register. In summary - black is not a recognized color. It is merely accepted as a variation of the black in the brindle.” 

 

So, again, taking into account this statement, the fact that they have not changed their accepted colors in their breed standard and the fact that KUSA does not allow Black as a color in their breed standard, I feel comfortable with the our conclusion and feel it is consistent with two of the three South African Boerboel Registration organizations that we used in the compilation of the AKC standard.    

 

With regard to the group that I represent, I am the President of the American Boerboel Club.   The American Boerboel Club was founded in July of 2006.  We have been sponsoring activities since that time.  January 1st of this year, when the Boerboel moved into the American Kennel Club miscellaneous class, The American Boerboel Club became the parent club for the Boerboel with the AKC. 

 

I will give a little bit of explanation of what that means.  A Parent Club represents the fanciers or enthusiast of a specific breed, i.e. the Boerboel.  We are a group of people who have a common interest; working together in an effort to serve the best interest of the Boerboel.  We operate under an approved Constitution and By-laws, as an assurance that the club affairs cannot be arbitrarily managed for a few, against the wishes of the members.  We provide input to the AKC from the membership as well as represent the AKC to the members.  We operate as a “representative democracy”.    This is a link for the AKC standard http://www.akc.org/breeds/south_african_boerboel/

 

Our registration paperwork is through the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service program.  So, it is recognized by anyone who will recognize AKC registration, such as the FCI and International Federation of Kennel Clubs and various sports organizations. 

 

Kerri

 

 

[Lee May]

Hey Kerri, please see my post on BBE, What are your views on the Black BB, I would really like to know? thanks Lee 

[Jennifer Sider]

Lee; a crappy dog is a crappy dog; no matter the colour. When I see a picture of a black boerboel I copy it to my computer and change it to brown (using a photo editor), if I like the dog I like the dog, if I don't I don't -- (I also do the same with piebalds) It's an old trick to make sure you aren't being blinded by colour.

 

The story that keeps being spun about black Boerboels is being perpetuated by very few people in the Boerboel community (most of them with a lot of $) and a whole lot of people in the Boerboel community simply shy away from the topic. It can't be because they are jealous; black boerboels are becoming a dime a dozen.

 

Some of the blacks are quality dogs, some aren't. Rather than promoting them for their black coat; I'd like to see some promotion for their guarding skills, their family temperament and their exceptional health -- then, then I might be wowed by a shiny black coat.

 

I agree with you; black is in the Boerboel genetics. There are blue dogs ( a dilute of black), we have brindle (a black pattern). What proponents of the black boerboel are facing are the same things that many breeders face; an "unaccepted" colour in their breed -- for whatever reason; legitimate or not. I think the registries have been very generous (allowing the colour to be called "brindle"); many breeders have to wait years (in other situations) to have their stock accepted.

 

I personally could care less about the whole "black" dog issue -- I find very few I like; most are very sausagey in the body, smooth with no definition with non-typical Boerboel heads, there seems to be no consistency in type and no intention (or ability) to create such, some breeders are working on 2 or 3 generation down from original dogs and still there is no real consistency. My other concern is bloodline. Who knows what is behind some of them; since the dogs don't have any recorded background. I couldn't breed to them; I wouldn't know if I was inbreeding too heavily or not?

 

It is the least of the Boerboel's concerns that black dogs be accepted as black or not -- they are accepted as brown or brindle; fair enough.

 

Jen and her yella boerboel

 

[Lee May]

Hey Jenn, I agree with what you said about a good sound boerboel is a good BB period reguardless of color. Now where it gets funny to me is how everyone hangs their hat on paper work of the boerboel. A Breed most cannot trace back with pedigree before 1983 if even that long. How does this equal a pedigree line not 30 yrs old? But we call this a pure breed dog, But at the same time say that the Black BB was not or could not be a major part of their history and or developement. And to add insult to injury be place B BB in with Brindles as if brindles make black. Black BB's should just be called boerboels, if they fit the total package reguardless of color. Some one needs to stand up for Black dogs in our breed Guess I will. Don't get me wrong, I have brown and red BB too and I love them all the same. They are special breed period and a good boerboel is a good boerboel, red, brown, yellow ect. I know one thing, if I was a SA farmer living in back water lawless lands, I would have 50 BB's of all colors, but bet your buns 10 would be Black. Peace Lee 

[Lee May]

Right as rain Teresa, well said. Peace Lee

Teresa Brewer said:

I have had years of experience with AKC, they do not promote "Code of Ethics Breeding", they give very little guidence when it comes to breed education, or health research. They don't even provide health information on the dogs they have registered. The SABT breeders will at least tell you of health concerns of their breeding lines and they are far more strict with their testing methods. I know of AKC breeders who are still selling frozen sperm from their championship lines when the dogs died of predisposed genitic diseases. As far as I can tell AKC stands for all kinds of cash, from your pocket into theirs. So I think I agree with Ashley's initial statement.

Aescleah said:

well what i am getting at is i think akc will make them even more popular then they already are the breed is already moving to fast as it is  without the help of the AKC with the help of the AKC it will only get worse. 

As for those 200 lb monsters limping around with 199 100 scores thats not right either and i think we ought to fix the system we already have in place instead of running to yet another system

 

Ashley