The Facts Behind a Qualified Pedigree

There was a post on KBL which was misleading with regard to Qualified Pedigrees. As many of you know,posts by officers of the USKBTC are filtered on KBL. I want to make sure that people who are dual listers understand why AKC adopted the Qualified Pedigree/Registration concept.

This is a clear case where the use of DNA to maintain the integrity of the registry has produced concrete results. The technology has also pointed out that policies need to accommodate technology. This is one case. I am not an expert on DNA, but I do feel that its use has strengthened the registry, and I do believe we must use the technology, as well as set policy wisely.

The Qualified Pedigree DOES NOT open the floodgates, but it does accomondate some unusual circumstances that occur in very rare instances. It is important to recognize that any of us could get hit by this in our breeding program once a sire becomes "frequently used"….and this could be several years and many titles later. The old method would have stripped you of all your titles…this method provides some preservation, as one waits for the line to "clear" and could effect hundreds of dogs.Please note that it is NOT revenue enhancing in any way. The money has already been collected!

QUALIFIED PEDIGREES

At its April 2005 meeting, the AKC’s Board of Directors discussed the issue of DNA as it relates to cancellation of AKC registered dogs who are found, often years after birth, to have an unknown ancestor.

The board approved the concept to allow the issuing of Qualified registration certificates and pedigrees, rather than canceling the registrations of the dog, all of its littermates and all of their progeny.

The following questions and answers describe the concept. The specifics of the policy governing qualified registrations and pedigrees have not been fully adopted and are subject to change. The AKC welcomes input from the delegates, the fancy, and breeders to make this policy work for all of AKC’s constituents.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Qualified Registration and Pedigree?
When unknown parentage is indicated via DNA testing, the status of the registration will be downgraded from “full” or “limited” to “qualified” until purebred status is verifiable. “Unknown” will be noted on the registration or pedigree for the ancestor in question. This will only occur in cases where the dogs appear to be purebred, but a registered parent is found to be incorrect.

The documents will have a different colored border and will be clearly labeled as Qualified. Also, a new registration number will be issued so that people familiar with AKC registration numbers can tell at a glance that the registration is different. For example, a dog initially registered as TN123456/01 would be registered with Qualified registration number QTX654321/01. Thus, these dogs will be clearly noted as Qualified by their registration number, similar to the ‘Z’ used in the registration number for descendants of white Doberman Pinschers.

Why is this measure being adopted now?
AKC continues to collect a rapidly growing number of DNA samples. By the close of 2004, the AKC had over 320,000 DNA profiles from 186 AKC and FSS breeds in its database.

In compliance with AKC’s DNA policy, the parentage of every registered dog born on or after January 1, 2000 is evaluated once the DNA of the sire and dam is on file. With our Frequently Used Sires requirement, many dogs are DNA certified when they are three or four years old and have sired seven or more litters. If incorrect parentage is found, it is sometimes not possible to determine the correct parentage of the litter because a potential sire is deceased, sold or unable to be located. Currently, in these cases the registrations of the litter and its members and their offspring are canceled. A single case of an unknown sire can result in the cancellation of hundreds of AKC registrations. The negative public relations, especially with pet owners who registered their dog with AKC and then have it canceled later is very damaging to AKC’s image.

Why are Qualified Pedigrees considered the solution?
The AKC Board, staff, and Dr. Elaine Ostrander (consultant to AKC on DNA science and technology issues) have carefully and thoroughly considered this issue, weighing the benefits and drawbacks to various solutions.

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 its customers. By fully disclosing the incident of unknown parentage, breeders and dog owners can make their own, informed opinions about whether or not they will buy or breed a certain dog.

Will the registrations ever revert to Full?
Current AKC policy to introduce a new breed into the registry requires a three-generation pedigree on each dog. Under this premise a dog is deemed “purebred” in three generations of verifiable dogs. This “test of purebred” requirement for new breeds will now apply to dogs when an “unknown” dog is found in its pedigree based on a failed DNA test. After three generations of DNA-certified parents, the registrations will revert to Full for the litter in the fourth generation. Returning to full registration after three generations of verified parentage is also in line with the acceptance of imported dogs with three generation pedigrees from the country of origin.

Can these dogs be bred?
If both sire and dam have DNA profiles, the litter may be registered. Litters already registered when the registration is converted to Qualified will be changed to Qualified.

What about event participation?
A dog with Qualified 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 dog’s record. In the fourth generation of DNA-certified 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 compulsory DNA programs, such as the Frequently Used Sires requirement or the Compliance Audit Program, the breeder is subject to a graduated schedule of penalties. When the DNA is on file on a voluntary basis, discipline is not applied.

What about dogs that are not purebred?
Qualified registration is only for dogs who 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 purebred, an impure breeding complaint can be made to the Impure Breeding Committee, who will open an inquiry and take appropriate action.

Carl C. Ashby
Delegate
United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club
336.292.9060 ext 203
336.292.9061 (fax)
Visit my website at http://carlashby.bloggin.com

(Simply "click" on the address directly above and it will take you to the website or paste the complete address into your browser) Do not put a "www" in front of the address.)