AKD 100 Breed and National Breed Club Publications and Distribution Materials

Collection

Identifier: AKD-100

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the history, development, and promotion of purebred dogs through the publications of the American Kennel Club (AKC), its National Breed Clubs, and international registries. The materials include a comprehensive range of formats, from formal breed standards and club governing documents to informal newsletters and pictorial annuals. It is a vital resource for researching breed evolution, pedigree trends, and the administrative history of breed-specific organizations.

Dates

1900-current

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research; however, certain club-produced internal documents may require parent club permission for publication.

Publishing and Use

AKC Library and Archives does not own copyright to many of the published materials in this collection. The Copyright Law of the United States provides that under certain conditions, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish reproductions of materials, allowing that the reproduction is not to be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research. It is the users' responsibility to confirm and obtain copyright permission as use beyond these purposes may make the user liable for copyright infringement.

AKC Clubs

Parent clubs are the national representatives for each breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. Their primary function is the creation and maintenance of the Breed Standard, the official "blueprint" defining the ideal temperament and physical characteristics of a breed.

In addition to upholding their mission through a formal constitution and bylaws, National Breed Clubs host AKC-licensed regional and national specialty events, recognize top producers and notable achievements, manage breed-specific health committees and rescue networks, conduct public education initiatives, and appoint columnists to provide breed-specific updates for the AKC Gazette.

As a "club of clubs," the American Kennel Club is composed of Parent Clubs for each breed, over 500 member clubs, and approximately 5,000 affiliated clubs.

The AKC's legislative authority rests with the Delegates, who are elected by parent and member clubs to represent their interests. This body serves as the organization's legislative branch, responsible for establishing and amending rules governing dog shows and field trials, and for electing members to serve on the AKC Board of Directors.

Physical Description

.0000001 Linear Feet (There are regular accruals to this collection.)

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is organized into four series based on the scope of the publications. Series I follows a hierarchical sub-structure based on document type, while files within Series II, III, and IV are organized by publication title.

Series I: Breed-Specific Publications

Series I is arranged alphabetically by American Kennel Club (AKC) breed name (A–Z). It includes publications specific to individual breeds, as well as materials from National and Regional Breed Clubs. Files for each breed are further arranged into sub-series based on document type and/or content.

Breed Descriptions and Standards
Club Constitutions and By-Laws
Magazines and Newsletters
Studbooks, Pedigrees, Registries, and Statistical Compilations
Show Catalogs
Yearbooks, Annuals, and Pictorials
Miscellaneous Publications

Series II: AKC Groups

Series II materials are arranged into five sub-series, representing the following AKC Groups: Herding, Sporting, Terrier, Working, and Toy. Within each group, materials are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Herding
Sporting
Terrier
Working
Toy

Series III: General and International

Series III files are arranged alphabetically by publication title.
General: All-breed publications and general interest titles covering the dog fancy at large (e.g., Popular Dog).
International: Publications produced by non-U.S. kennel clubs and registries.

Series IV: Miscellaneous Publications

Series IV consists of supplemental publications that do not fit within the breed, group, or international categories.

Provenance

This collection comprises printed materials produced, published, or distributed by AKC parent clubs, member clubs, and independent breed fanciers. Materials have been gradually gathered throughout departmental operations, either by staff or through donations from clubs and club members as part of larger, formal collection deposits.