#I’d love to see AKC limit registration to puppies that only come from parents achieving a certain amount of health screening

[darkwood-sleddog]

I understand your frustration, I’ve echoed my distaste for AKCs lack of regulation in several areas many times, but you’re asking them to take issue with something they have no oversight over.

The Breeder of Merit badge is not necessarily a marker of quality. It’s something breeders can pay to get if they meet the following requirements:

Been involved with the AKC for 5 years

Earned conformation, performance OR companion event titles on a minimum of 4 dogs from AKC registered litters they have bred

Health test their stock as recommended by their breed club (vaccinations are not health screenings)

AKC registered 100% of the puppies they produce.

That’s it. They meet those requirements and pay for their badge so they can get better placement on the AKC marketplace and discounts on microchips.

On top of this involvement in the purebred dog world is incredibly wealthy, white, and conservative. Lots of these people likely share the anti-vaccination sentiments of the breeder you found, but may be less upfront and more quiet about it. Rabies is truly the only vaccine “required” for dogs. A dog can have titled, health tested parents and come from a prestigious pedigree, but may also lack vaccinations I’d 100% want to see puppies have. It’s really not uncommon unfortunately.

Does anyone know if there's anyone I can report an antivaxxer breeder to? I can't find any info on the akc website