Whether it’s reserved or energetic, loyal, or stoic, the adjectives that describe the dogs in our lives frequently also apply to ourselves. Whether we realize it or not, we’re often drawn to breeds that reflect our perception of ourselves and our values, both inside and out. Though those qualities can certainly appear in all dogs, in a purebred dog they are far more consistent and predictable. As we celebrate National Purebred Dog Day on May 1 lets look at some of the temperaments, history, and aesthetics that draw us to specific breeds.
Purpose-Bred and Lovingly Owned
The purebred dogs are living, breathing, wagging symbols of the people and places that brought them into being. When you brush your hand across the wiry, weather-resistant coat of a Scottish Deerhound, you can envision the moors that these sighthounds sprung through throughout history. When your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel perches on your knees, you’re channeling the British royalty who developed these excellent lap-warmers.
Purebred dogs have rich, varied breed history. From hunting dogs to fierce protectors, you may not immediately identify your dog’s original purpose, but it’s there. The little things they do, like herding dogs nipping the heels of children, show their instincts.
While today there are still Beagles that go off in search of rabbits, most purebred dogs happily serve as household pets. The Dalmatian doesn’t run behind a horse-drawn fire trucks anymore, but they remain firehouse mascots. That’s the modern-day magic of purebred dogs. Due to changing social and economic shifts, today their main purpose is often to provide companionship and comfort to the humans whose lives and homes they share.
The Importance of Maintaining Purebred Dogs
Even though many purebred dogs no longer serve their original purpose, responsible breeders are committed to maintaining them as close to their original form as possible. In some ways, they are curators of their chosen breeds. They understand that purebred dogs, with their endless sizes, shapes, and colors, tell our human story. And while Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, and other popular breeds are commonly recognized, there are others, like Otterhounds and Dandie Dinmont Terriers, whose numbers are low enough to be considered endangered.
Breeders aren’t just interested in preserving a breed’s physical appearance. It’s also what goes on inside that beautiful dog that’s important. Just as dogs pass on physical attributes, they also pass on genetically ingrained behaviors from generation to generation. Many of the instincts that made dogs indispensable to people throughout history, like helping provide food, transportation, and protection, are etched in their DNA.
The Pointer’s characteristic, shock-still stance when they scent a quail isn’t learned: it’s reinforced through decades, if not centuries, of purposeful breeding.
From Breeder to Owner
A breeder’s deep understanding of their chosen breed is what prompts the intense scrutiny of prospective buyers. For a responsible breeder, breeding means carrying the baton that was handed to them by those who came before. That starts with placing the right puppy in the right home. Because purebred dogs are usually so predictable, a good breeder can gauge whether a would-be buyer will be able to cope with a dog’s full-grown size, temperament, energy level, and grooming demands.
Being savvy matchmakers includes turning away those who just aren’t the right fit for their particular breed. This dramatically increases the chances of a home being forever. If a dog does wind up in a shelter, each AKC parent club has a rescue organization whose volunteers get dogs out of harm’s way, foster them while they receive any medical or behavioral help needed, and then help place them in loving homes.
Owners, in turn, become ambassadors for a breed, whether they intend to be or not. Every time their dog is in public, they are shaping opinions of the breed. Even if they don’t know the history of their breed, why it is a certain size or color, and how these attributes helped their dogs’ ancestors do their jobs, representation matters. The only thing that stands between a breed thriving and possible extinction are loving owners, this strong connection is vitally important.
Registering Your Purebred Puppy
The AKC is the only purebred dog registry in the United States that maintains an investigation and inspection effort. The AKC conducts thousands of inspections each year to ensure compliance with standards that support the health, safety, and welfare of dogs and the environments in which they live. After you find the right puppy for you with a breed that fits your lifestyle, you can register your dog with the AKC.
Once you register your dog, you will receive your official AKC certificate in the mail. There are many other benefits, including a complimentary first vet visit, 30 days of pet insurance, and eligibility to compete in AKC events and sports.