CONDITIONAL REGISTRATION AKC's DNA
The AKC's DNA programs have resulted in an unprecedented level of accuracy to the AKC Registry by evaluating the parentage of many AKC dogs and litters. However, for that very small percentage of registered dogs that are found, often years after birth, to have an unknow ancestor, the AKC has canceled the registration.
To maintain genetic diversity, improve customer relations, and still maintain the accuracy of the registry, the Board of Directors approved the concept to allow the issuing of Conditional Registration Certificates and Pedigrees, rather tham canceling the registrations of a dog, all of its littermates and all of their progent in these cases.
This concept was discussed at the September 2005 Delegate Meeting where AKC's Consultant on DNA Science and Technology Dr. Elaine Ostrander recommended its implementation.
Below are the answers to some questions you may have. We welcome additional feedback at [email protected].
Conditional Registration Certificate
Conditional Registration Pedigree
What is a Conditional Registration and Pedigree ?
When unknow parentage is indicated via DNA testing, the status of the registration will be downgraded to "conditional" until a three generation pedigree is established. "Unknow" will be noted on the registration or pedigree for the ancestor in question.
This will only occcur in cases where the dogs are believed to be purebred, but a Registered parent is to be incorrect.
The documents will have a different colored border and will be clearly labeled as Conditional. Also a new registration number will be issued so that people familiar with AKC Registratin Numbers can tell at at glance that the registration is different. For example, a dog initially registered as TN123456/01 would be registered with Conditional Registration as QT123456/01. Thus, these dogs will be clearly noted as Conditional by their registration number, similar to the 'Z' used in the registration number for descendants of white Doberman Pinschers. In addition, the word " Conditional" will be baldly stated on the registration certificate which will have a yellow border (conpared to purple for standard registrations or orange for limited).
Why is this measure being adopted?
AKC continures to collect a rapidlu growing number of DNA samples. By the close of 2006, the AKC had more than 425,000 DNA profiles from 196 AKC and FSS breads in its database.
With our Frequently Used Sires requirement, many dogs are DNA Profiled when they are three or four years old and have sired seven or more litters. AKC evaluates their parentaga, and if incorrect parentage is found, it is sometimes not possible to determine the correct parntage of the litter because apotential sire is deceased or unable to be located. Currentlyu, in there cases the registrations of the litter and its members and thier offsping are cancele. A single case of an unknow sire can result in the cancellation of hundreds of AKC Registrations. The negative reaction, especially form owners who registered their dog with AKC only to later have it canceled, is very damaging to AKC's image.
Again, it is important to note that Conditional Registration is only to be issued in cases where the dog appears and is believed to be purebred ~ it is just that one of the dog's ancestors is unknow.
Why are Conditional Pedigree considered the solution?
The AKC Board, staff, and Dr. Elaine Ostrander (consultant to AKC on DNA science and technology issues) have cardfully and thoroughly considered this issue, weighing the benfits and drawbacks to various solutions.
In her September 2005 address to the Delegate Body, Dr. Ostrander recommended that AKC adopt this solution to allow for informed breeder decisions whilte maintaining a large population for genetic diversity.
The conclusion reached by all is that totally removing purebred dogs from the gene pool may not be the best thing for the breed populations or for AKC's relationship with dog owners. By fully disclosing the incident of unknow parentage, breeders and dog owners can make their own, informed opionions about whether or not they will byt or breed a cettain dog.
Will the registrations ever revert to Full?
Current policy for introducing breeds into the AKC registry requires a three-generation pedigree on each dog. This policy will also apply to dogs when an " unknow" dog is found in its pedigree based on a failed DNA test. An individual dog's registration can be reverted to regular registration status with the completion of a DNA sample verifying parentage of that individual dog and confirming three generations of DNA - verified parentage. Returning to full registration after three generation pedigrees from the country of origin..
Can these dogs be bred?
If both sire and dam have AKC DNA profiles, the litter may be registered. Litters already registered when the registration is converted will be changed to Conditional status.
What abovt event participation?
A dog with Conditional registration may participate in any event in which ILP dogs may participate. They may not participate in Conformation events or Field Trials, and titles previously earned in these events will be removed from the record. in the fourth generation of DNA~profiled parentage, the registration will revert to FULL and the dog may participate in any AKC event.
Is the breeder penalized?
The discipline policies have not changed. When incorrect parentage is discovered via complysory DNA programs, such as the Frequently Used Sires requirement ot the Compliance Audit Pragram, the breeder is subusct to a graduated schedule of penalties. When the DNA is on file on a voluntary basis, discipline is not applied.
What about dogs which are not purebred?
Conditional trgistratin is only for dogs that appear to be purebred and had full AKC registration prior to the DNA exclusions being found. If the dogs in question do not appear to be purtbred, an impure breeding complaint can be made to the Impure Breeding Committee, which will open an inwuiry and take appropritat action.
Will the new mixed-breed DNA test be employed in determining Conditional Status?
NO. These new DNA tests are designed to determine the primart and secondary gentic heritage of mised breed dogs, not to certify whether or not a dog is purebred. The AKC believes the the best way to determine parentage of a dog is still based on AKC's long~standing DNA program and AKC does not intend to use these tests to evaluate a dog's status as purebred. The AKC has long had procedutes in place to deal with cases of impure breeding and will continue to use this method in dealing with any matters concerning the parentage of AKC registered dogs. AKC will, however, maintain pocitive contact with the laboratories offering breed inentification testing, and may incorporate some of these techniques as a tool in registration inquiries in the future.
How will this affect the integrity of the AKC studbook?
A dog or bitch is listed in the AKC studbook after their first litter is registered. If a dog with Conditional Tegistration (noted with the letter designation Q in the AKC Registration Number) appears in the studbook, it iwll help breeders quickly identily incomplete pedigrees. Having this tool will alert breeders that a Conditional dog has remained in its breed's gene pool.
Will Conditional Litters be eligible for advertising in AKC's Online Breeder Classifieds?
YES, but the litter listing will note that the litter has Conditional Registration, with a link for more information.
The AKC's DNA programs have resulted in an unprecedented level of accuracy to the AKC Registry by evaluating the parentage of many AKC dogs and litters. However, for that very small percentage of registered dogs that are found, often years after birth, to have an unknow ancestor, the AKC has canceled the registration.
To maintain genetic diversity, improve customer relations, and still maintain the accuracy of the registry, the Board of Directors approved the concept to allow the issuing of Conditional Registration Certificates and Pedigrees, rather tham canceling the registrations of a dog, all of its littermates and all of their progent in these cases.
This concept was discussed at the September 2005 Delegate Meeting where AKC's Consultant on DNA Science and Technology Dr. Elaine Ostrander recommended its implementation.
Below are the answers to some questions you may have. We welcome additional feedback at [email protected].
To maintain genetic diversity, improve customer relations, and still maintain the accuracy of the registry, the Board of Directors approved the concept to allow the issuing of Conditional Registration Certificates and Pedigrees, rather tham canceling the registrations of a dog, all of its littermates and all of their progent in these cases.
This concept was discussed at the September 2005 Delegate Meeting where AKC's Consultant on DNA Science and Technology Dr. Elaine Ostrander recommended its implementation.
Below are the answers to some questions you may have. We welcome additional feedback at [email protected].
Conditional Registration Certificate
Conditional Registration Pedigree
What is a Conditional Registration and Pedigree ?
When unknow parentage is indicated via DNA testing, the status of the registration will be downgraded to "conditional" until a three generation pedigree is established. "Unknow" will be noted on the registration or pedigree for the ancestor in question.
This will only occcur in cases where the dogs are believed to be purebred, but a Registered parent is to be incorrect.
The documents will have a different colored border and will be clearly labeled as Conditional. Also a new registration number will be issued so that people familiar with AKC Registratin Numbers can tell at at glance that the registration is different. For example, a dog initially registered as TN123456/01 would be registered with Conditional Registration as QT123456/01. Thus, these dogs will be clearly noted as Conditional by their registration number, similar to the 'Z' used in the registration number for descendants of white Doberman Pinschers. In addition, the word " Conditional" will be baldly stated on the registration certificate which will have a yellow border (conpared to purple for standard registrations or orange for limited).
Why is this measure being adopted?
AKC continures to collect a rapidlu growing number of DNA samples. By the close of 2006, the AKC had more than 425,000 DNA profiles from 196 AKC and FSS breads in its database.
With our Frequently Used Sires requirement, many dogs are DNA Profiled when they are three or four years old and have sired seven or more litters. AKC evaluates their parentaga, and if incorrect parentage is found, it is sometimes not possible to determine the correct parntage of the litter because apotential sire is deceased or unable to be located. Currentlyu, in there cases the registrations of the litter and its members and thier offsping are cancele. A single case of an unknow sire can result in the cancellation of hundreds of AKC Registrations. The negative reaction, especially form owners who registered their dog with AKC only to later have it canceled, is very damaging to AKC's image.
Again, it is important to note that Conditional Registration is only to be issued in cases where the dog appears and is believed to be purebred ~ it is just that one of the dog's ancestors is unknow.
Why are Conditional Pedigree considered the solution?
The AKC Board, staff, and Dr. Elaine Ostrander (consultant to AKC on DNA science and technology issues) have cardfully and thoroughly considered this issue, weighing the benfits and drawbacks to various solutions.
In her September 2005 address to the Delegate Body, Dr. Ostrander recommended that AKC adopt this solution to allow for informed breeder decisions whilte maintaining a large population for genetic diversity.
The conclusion reached by all is that totally removing purebred dogs from the gene pool may not be the best thing for the breed populations or for AKC's relationship with dog owners. By fully disclosing the incident of unknow parentage, breeders and dog owners can make their own, informed opionions about whether or not they will byt or breed a cettain dog.
Will the registrations ever revert to Full?
Current policy for introducing breeds into the AKC registry requires a three-generation pedigree on each dog. This policy will also apply to dogs when an " unknow" dog is found in its pedigree based on a failed DNA test. An individual dog's registration can be reverted to regular registration status with the completion of a DNA sample verifying parentage of that individual dog and confirming three generations of DNA - verified parentage. Returning to full registration after three generation pedigrees from the country of origin..
Can these dogs be bred?
If both sire and dam have AKC DNA profiles, the litter may be registered. Litters already registered when the registration is converted will be changed to Conditional status.
What abovt event participation?
A dog with Conditional registration may participate in any event in which ILP dogs may participate. They may not participate in Conformation events or Field Trials, and titles previously earned in these events will be removed from the record. in the fourth generation of DNA~profiled parentage, the registration will revert to FULL and the dog may participate in any AKC event.
Is the breeder penalized?
The discipline policies have not changed. When incorrect parentage is discovered via complysory DNA programs, such as the Frequently Used Sires requirement ot the Compliance Audit Pragram, the breeder is subusct to a graduated schedule of penalties. When the DNA is on file on a voluntary basis, discipline is not applied.
What about dogs which are not purebred?
Conditional trgistratin is only for dogs that appear to be purebred and had full AKC registration prior to the DNA exclusions being found. If the dogs in question do not appear to be purtbred, an impure breeding complaint can be made to the Impure Breeding Committee, which will open an inwuiry and take appropritat action.
Will the new mixed-breed DNA test be employed in determining Conditional Status?
NO. These new DNA tests are designed to determine the primart and secondary gentic heritage of mised breed dogs, not to certify whether or not a dog is purebred. The AKC believes the the best way to determine parentage of a dog is still based on AKC's long~standing DNA program and AKC does not intend to use these tests to evaluate a dog's status as purebred. The AKC has long had procedutes in place to deal with cases of impure breeding and will continue to use this method in dealing with any matters concerning the parentage of AKC registered dogs. AKC will, however, maintain pocitive contact with the laboratories offering breed inentification testing, and may incorporate some of these techniques as a tool in registration inquiries in the future.
How will this affect the integrity of the AKC studbook?
A dog or bitch is listed in the AKC studbook after their first litter is registered. If a dog with Conditional Tegistration (noted with the letter designation Q in the AKC Registration Number) appears in the studbook, it iwll help breeders quickly identily incomplete pedigrees. Having this tool will alert breeders that a Conditional dog has remained in its breed's gene pool.
Will Conditional Litters be eligible for advertising in AKC's Online Breeder Classifieds?
YES, but the litter listing will note that the litter has Conditional Registration, with a link for more information.
The AKC's DNA programs have resulted in an unprecedented level of accuracy to the AKC Registry by evaluating the parentage of many AKC dogs and litters. However, for that very small percentage of registered dogs that are found, often years after birth, to have an unknow ancestor, the AKC has canceled the registration.
To maintain genetic diversity, improve customer relations, and still maintain the accuracy of the registry, the Board of Directors approved the concept to allow the issuing of Conditional Registration Certificates and Pedigrees, rather tham canceling the registrations of a dog, all of its littermates and all of their progent in these cases.
This concept was discussed at the September 2005 Delegate Meeting where AKC's Consultant on DNA Science and Technology Dr. Elaine Ostrander recommended its implementation.
Below are the answers to some questions you may have. We welcome additional feedback at [email protected].