Only Goldens would put up with this nonsense . . .
Posted on 07/10/2006 8:41:39 AM PDT by girlangler
AKC dog registry welcoming coonhounds to purebred world
By Coke Ellington Associated Press
Raleigh | The American Kennel Club is trying to make coonhounds couth.
The nation's largest and most recognized dog registry is in the early stages of a major push to add coonhounds to its prestigious rolls, hoping both to increase its membership and to assure these sad-eyed symbols of country life stick around a while longer.
"We're interested in the registration of these dogs and their litters, but we're most interested in preserving these dogs for the future," said Steve Fielder, who moved to Raleigh in late 2004 to launch the club's coonhound initiative.
To meet its targets, the AKC has found itself negotiating with governments to assure there's ample hunting land for the dogs, setting up competitive hunts and working to enlist more of the estimated 1.2 million coonhounds in the nation.
It may seem like unlikely work for a club with headquarters on swanky Madison Avenue in New York City and more closely tied to images of pouffy poodles than howling hounds, but Fielder insists it's right in line with the club's mission.
"The AKC wants to be all things canine," said Fielder, one of about 300 people at the AKC's operations center in Raleigh.
To help with its initiative, the AKC began offering free registration last year to coonhounds already enlisted with two other national clubs. The move resulted in about 10,000 registrations, up from about 500 the previous year. The club expects to have another 10,000 registered by the end of this year, pushing the total number of AKC registered coonhounds to 22,000.
Still, coonhounds make up a tiny part of the club's registry. Labrador retrievers were the most popular breed in 2005 with nearly 138,000 registered by the AKC.
Registration costs just $15, but acceptance by the AKC is invaluable to breeders and others who need or want to prove their dogs have pure bloodlines.
For coonhounds, registering also opens the way for the dogs to compete in AKC-sanctioned hunts and competitions that offer titles, trophies and cash prizes of as much as $25,000. Just in July, the AKC is sponsoring about 70 coonhound competitions across the nation, including contests for youth, field trials, water races and night hunts.
Night hunts tie most closely to the tradition of the coonhound owners across the South who once led packs of dogs on late-night winter hunts, forcing the raccoons up trees where the hunters could get a clear shot at them. The raccoon hides fetched $20 to $30 each in the late 1970s, according to Perry Sumner, a biologist with the state Wildlife Resources Commission. With demand dwindling, a raccoon hide today is worth about $5, he said.
A good coonhound can sell for $4,000 to $5,000, with some bringing up to $100,000, said David Gardin, the president of the North Carolina Coonhunters Association..
The AKC first registered black and tan coonhounds - one of six coonhound breeds - in 1945, but during the past 60 years there had been little mingling between hound owners and the AKC. Coonhound owners were more likely to register with the Professional Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club and the AKC didn't seem to mind. Now, their interests seem to have merged.
"The coonhound has been kind of like a subculture in the world of dogs," Fielder said, "but with the AKC involved the spotlight is shining on the breeds."
I know this is late, but.....EXCELLENT point. All they need do is be small and "look pretty", literally - if you think that's pretty.
So, let's remove all "lap dogs" from competition and recognition, since they have no performance requirement - including how their bodies are shaped. The only thing is a height/weight requirement.
Problem with AKC is EVERYONE emphasizes the conformation, and does nothing else. And conformation can be abused to fit the ridiculous notions of the petty power elite (as it has been in GS), even with a reasonable standard.
( . . . says the Siamese cat fancier. When I got my first Siamese, I asked my vet, "How will I know when she comes into heat?" "You'll know," replied the vet. I knew. So did all the neighbors. . . )
I like Pugs. They're like tiny Mastiffs with those buff sturdy bods, in the same color and look.
Oh the trouble you would start on a pekinese list!
Of course, the bottom line is, yes, why have it, but also, why care if other people do enjoy competing in that venue?
susie
I agree about pugs, and have noted the same about papllions. Not all small dogs are yappy little tyrants. Most are what their owners make of them. I actually owned an Italian Greyhound. Weird little dog (I got him as an adult) but actually quite nice to have around.
susie
Like most broad brush statements, yours is false.
susie
I do worry about the breed's fragility - Enzo looks and feels like he would shatter if you dropped him.
That yapping has a purpose... It does let you know when the doorbell rings. Maybe you didn't hear it, over the yapping :~D
What are the stats for all the competitions? # of Champions vs. # of CDs? Conformation greatly outnumbers the others (for 1 thing, it's easy compared to performance). Always has, always will. And people - both regular Joes and in-the-knows - are most often most impressed by "Champion" which means conformation.
Of course, once you open the door all she wants to do is fawn on the caller, try to kiss him, and grin all over her cute little face.
I have a friend who has a couple of IGs. She has had one break her leg jumping off the sofa. If I were involved in the breed, this would be a concern to me. BTW Rambo was certainly speedy. The dogs would all play in the back yard and he would just run around them in circles! It was pretty hysterical.
susie
This would worry the heck out of me if I owned IGs.
Probably why I haven't seen any IGs in agility. Have seen a couple of full size racing Greyhound rescues though.
Problem with AKC is EVERYONE emphasizes the conformation, and does nothing else.
The stats will not back that up.
I'm sorry you have some sort of issues with conformation competition, but the only thing really, that I can suggest to you, is that you don't participate. There's really no other option (well, other than venting about it, I suppose, but I don't think that will change things).
susie
I expect that's right. I don't know if there's anything to be done at this point, because I don't know the percentage who actually are fragile enough to break bones. However, I agree, I worried all the time about Rambo. However, he leaped up and down on things, and never did break anything. Wish I had a picture of him on this computer.
susie
Only Goldens would put up with this nonsense . . .
I love that photo.
What's wrong with a little hyperbole? Only idiots would think truly "everyone" does this or that. I can say "Everyone prefers any carbonated caffiene soda pop but Dr. Pepper." Essentially, that's true! (I still don't know who the heck drinks Dr. Pepper.) Hyperbole just emphasizes the point.
I don't have a problem with conformation. I have a problem with keeping everything truly separate, with no responsibility to other aspects. Put those AKC show Shepherds on a trotting track and you'll find they won't last more than a mile. I'd wager a 1/4mi. (It is NOT an efficient trot.) Having to do some work would make them keep the conformation the way it should be.
Ok, well, it's been interesting, and I've had my say. Since you now resort to calling me an idiot, I'm done.
Good day, ya'll.
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