Time for Change? The American-Bred Class

by Amy Fernandez

Lately, AKC seems to introduce new classes and revise requirements faster than exhibitors can keep up with the changes. This industrious tinkering is meant to rekindle exhibitor participation as entries continue to flat-line.

There’s no question that the regular classes are long overdue for an overhaul.  But AKC hasn’t really investigated that tactic since the 1950s when entries began climbing. Clubs sailed along on that bull market for decades even though class divisions left much to be desired. In that respect, American-bred probably tops the list of outdated show classes. Today, it’s considered an anachronism used primarily for fillers and almost never considered a gateway to big wins. In reality, it’s never been too popular.

Introduced in 1910, it was designed as an incentive to establish homegrown breeding programs. Clubs employed numerous enticements such as cash prizes or waived entry fees to drum up interest. For instance, in 1917 Westminster introduced the James Mortimer Memorial Trophy for the Best American-Bred dog or bitch in the show. More often than not, this was a secondary award to BIS.  Overall, that promotional push for American breeding paled in comparison to the allure of big winning imports despite their hefty price tags. That approach not only sidestepped the inherent risks and disappointments of breeding, imports came complete with formidable reputations and quality assurance that guaranteed instant ego gratification. Of course, that shortcut wasn’t an option for the majority of American exhibitors who produced their show dogs the old fashioned way.

In 1928 AKC tried a new tactic to focus attention on American breeding by awarding $50 to every Am-Bred Best In Show winner. This experiment stirred up some competitive interest, but American stock continued to be overshadowed by imports. Throughout the 1930s shows were dominated by imported chartbusters like the Pointer, Ch. Nancolleth Markable, the Airedale, Ch. Warland Protector of Shelterock, and the breathtaking Standard Poodle ,Ch. Nunsoe Duc de la Terrace of Blakeen.

Needless to say, many breeds desperately needed strong American breeding programs at that time. But fanciers at the top echelon of the sport remained steadfastly addicted to the quick fix of buying big winners abroad.

By 1935 AKC decided to revisit their somewhat successful 1928 strategy by implementing an annual competition for American-bred dogs accumulating the most group wins.   Unfortunately, rather than encouraging grassroots interest, the same issues immediately kicked in to slant the competition. According to AKC historian John Marvin, this national ranking “generated tremendous competition among wealthy exhibitors who journeyed to all sections of the country, often on chartered airplane flights. The situation all but eliminated from competition dogs owned by people of more modest means.” That plan went down in flames by 1939.

The situation seemed rather bleak when fate intervened. The onset of World War II abruptly and totally severed access to imported winners. The dog fancy went cold turkey. That drastic, unintended development motivated breeders to get busy. The current irrelevance of the American-Bred class confirms their ongoing success.  Today imports are the exception, not the rule and American dogs successfully compete at every level of the sport throughout the world.

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=56423

Posted by chesliepickett on Sep 3 2014. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.