I never get a straight answer when I ask what AKC has done that has to do with an individual's breeding program. When AKC accepted Aussies, did the people who were breeding for herding suddenly forced to stop breeding for that? How did AKC recognition affect their breeding programs? I'm really curious, because I hear that old canard that AKC ruins breeds all the time, but no one can tell me specifically why. In my breed there are plenty of people who breed only for field ability. They are quite welcome in our clubs and groups and we applaud their successes. Many show breeders also do some field work (I admit most don't do field trials, but that has much to do with time and money issues). BTW I did do a little reading and the real crux of the matter with border collie folk seems to have been that they could not longer ILP their dogs (via the misc class) and run them in AKC events if the breed wasn't given AKC registration status. They wanted to have their cake and eat it too.
When the Aussie breeders gave in and came under the AKC, the registries keeping track of working Aussies died. They couldn't handle the competition from a huge registry like the AKC. You can still find a working Aussie, but it is very hard. It took me a month to find one, and then he wouldn't sell to a non-working home because there were so few working Aussies left! The one in my home came from a rescue, and he has ZERO herding ability. Great family dog, but worthless for work. Most breeders claim their Aussies come from working lines, but very few are left breeding them. As to why they joined, it was money. Some breeders who cared more for cash than the breed pushed for acceptance.
I'm really curious, because I hear that old canard that AKC ruins breeds all the time, but no one can tell me specifically why. In my breed there are plenty of people who breed only for field ability.
Maybe it is an old canard because it is true? Look at the GSDs winning shows. They look nothing like the original, or even the working lines. Look at the Aussies. Heck, look at bulldogs in the 1800s. Think of poodles, who were once good hunting dogs. Think of the fight the JRTs had with the AKC.
BTW, I did do a little reading and the real crux of the matter with border collie folk seems to have been that they could not longer ILP their dogs (via the misc class) and run them in AKC events if the breed wasn't given AKC registration status. They wanted to have their cake and eat it too.
You have described sport breeders, who were already having a negative impact on Border Collies. I support dog sports, but taking a breed meant for work and breeding them for agility or show is wrong. It destroys the ability that made the breed special. A good working BC will also be a good agility dog or a good pet. A dog bred for agility may be a rotten pet - too much emphasis on speed, too little on control. One bred for show is worth darn near nothing, but the average family doesn't know that. It was an issue already causing problems for BCs before the AKC. The AKC has increased the pressure.
Question for you - how has AKC 'recognition' helped GSDs, Aussies or Border Collies?