AKC and UKC are the kennel clubs recognized in the United States. Readers in other countries don’t worry, most countries have kennel clubs similar to AKC. American Kennel Club is the best known in the US as AKC. UKC is United Kennel Club. Many breeds are recognized by both while some breeds are only recognized by UKC. Both clubs offer information, registration and shows in confirmation ,rally, obedience etc. around the country.
Dog shows are where you earn a dogs championship in these different areas. In confirmation the animal is judged by how closely to the breed standard they are. Duren . Many dogs are dual titled, or have multiple titles if their breeder/owner is involved in other activities like agility or obedience. There are dog shows nationwide, and during all times of the year. Most of the time you can find adog show, depending on where you live, within a 2 hour drive of your home. The bestplace to find where and when dog shows are is infodog.com. You can also enter toshow your dog at infodog for most shows. The kennel clubs are the governing bodies ofthe dog shows and basically of the breeds they register. They offer credibility topurebred dogs and purebred dog breeders. They also determine point schedules forbreeds to earn championships, and oversee dog shows.
ARBA is the American Rare Breeds Association. ARBA was formed in 1991 for rarebreeds to be able to show their dogs. Many breeds that start in ARBA end up as AKC recognized dogs after being accepted as miscellaneous breeds first for a period of time.All 3 clubs have web sites with a plethora of information about breeds they recognizeand how they operate.
www.akc.org
www.ukc.org
www.arba.org