07/06/2025
Interesting question.
From The June Issue of : Should Purebreds Be Purebred?
By Caroline Coile
The AKC was established in 1884 with the stated purpose of protecting and advancing purebred dogs. Part of its charter states that its objectives are “generally to do everything to advance the study, breeding, exhibiting, running, and maintenance of the purity of thorough-bred dogs.”
The AKC maintains breed purity by guarding the sanctity of its studbook, which is closed to new entries sometimes after a breed is recognized and considered to have sufficient purebred founders. There have been exceptions, of course. The Kennel Club has similar rules but has allowed exceptions. Nobody cares anymore about the well-documented fact that of the 14 founding dogs of the Shih Tzu breed, one was a Pekingese. That cross occurred in 1952, which was 12 years after the breed was recognized in the UK. It’s said that the presence of this cross delayed AKC’s acceptance of the Shih Tzu, but they did ultimately accept them in 1969–even if they did have a pinch of Peke.
But of course, we all know perhaps the majority of breeds are crossbreds, created by mixing a bit of this breed with a smidgeon of that breed and a pinch of yet another. Creating a new breed was often the passion of the landed gentry...
Read the entire article here: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=329090
