Don’t blame the breeders for breeding what the AKC demands for show. Don’t blame the breeders for trying to breed to AKC ‘standards’. And the AKC ‘working tests’ are an embarassment.
Australian Shepherds used to be fine herding dogs. Since AKC took over them, they’ve become pretty dogs with no discernible instinct.
The AKC has tried to take over Border Collies as well - over the objections of the large majority of Border Collie breeders. Show Border Collies are an embarrassment - which is what virtually every BC breeder told the AKC. The AKC couldn’t find any reputable breeders who would write a ‘breed standard’, so they did it themselves.
The AKC ruins breeds. The have a long track record of failure.
LOL
The AKC doesn’t take over breeds. Breeders come to AKC and jump thru hoops to get their breeds recognized. I know what I’m talking about as I have been involved in a rare breed that was finally accepted in the late 1990s.
No one is forced to show, no one is forced to breed anything. However, it’s very easy to just blame a registering body. If you want to herd with your Aussies or Border Collies, do so and breed for it. No one is stopping you.