The American Bully: Kennel Club Recognition and Overcoming AKC Challenges
The American Bully is a popular and distinct breed of dog known for its muscular build, loyalty, and friendly demeanor. Despite its growing popularity, some major kennel clubs still do not recognize the American Bully as an official breed. In this blog post, we will explore the reputable kennel clubs that recognize the American Bully and highlight the challenges faced when attempting to register the breed with the American Kennel Club (AKC), which recognizes the Staffordshire Terrier instead.
Reputable Kennel Clubs that Recognize the American Bully
1. United Kennel Club (UKC)
The United Kennel Club is one of the most prominent organizations that officially recognize the American Bully. Established in 1898, the UKC is the second-largest kennel club in the United States. They first recognized the American Bully in 2013, classifying it as a separate breed from the American Pit Bull Terrier. The UKC’s breed standard for the American Bully highlights its unique features, including a broad chest, powerful muscles, and a short, thick coat.
2. American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC)
As the name suggests, the American Bully Kennel Club is dedicated to promoting and recognizing the American Bully breed. Founded in 2004, the ABKC has been instrumental in developing breed standards and organizing shows and events to showcase the American Bully. The ABKC provides registration services, pedigree information, and educational resources for breeders and enthusiasts.
3. National Kennel Club (NKC)
Established in 1964, the National Kennel Club is another reputable organization recognizing the American Bully. The NKC aims to promote the welfare and enjoyment of purebred dogs. They offer registration services, pedigree certificates and organize events for American Bully and other breeds.
4. International Bully Coalition (IBC)
The International Bully Coalition is a global organization focusing on promoting and recognizing bully breeds, including the American Bully. The IBC aims to unite breeders and enthusiasts worldwide and provide education and resources to ensure the breed’s continued growth and success. They also organize international events and shows to showcase the best examples of the breed.
5. World Canine Organization (FCI)
Although the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), also known as the World Canine Organization, does not yet fully recognize the American Bully as a separate breed, they have granted it provisional recognition. The FCI is an international federation of kennel clubs. Their potential recognition of the American Bully is a significant milestone for the breed’s global status.
The American Kennel Club (AKC), established in 1884, is the largest and most well-known kennel club in the United States. The AKC does not currently recognize the American Bully as a distinct breed. Instead, the organization recognizes the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which share similarities with the American Bully. However, notable differences in appearance and temperament set the American Bully apart from these breeds.
Challenges in Registering the American Bully with the AKC
Several factors contribute to the difficulty in registering the American Bully with the AKC, including:
- Breed Standard: The AKC requires a breed standard to be in place before considering the recognition of a breed. While the UKC and ABKC have established breed standards for the American Bully, the AKC does not currently recognize these standards. The organization may be hesitant to accept the American Bully as a separate breed due to concerns about diluting the existing breed standards of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
- Overlap with Existing Breeds: One of the challenges faced in registering the American Bully with the AKC is the perceived overlap with existing recognized breeds, specifically the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The AKC may be reluctant to acknowledge the American Bully as a separate breed due to concerns about potential confusion between the breeds.
In a statement from an AKC spokesperson, they explained their stance on the matter: “The American Kennel Club is committed to the promotion and preservation of purebred dogs. While we acknowledge the American Bully’s growing popularity, we believe it is important to maintain the integrity of our recognized breeds. As the American Bully shares many similarities with the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, we are cautious about recognizing it as a distinct breed at this time. Our priority is to ensure the continued health and welfare of all breeds, including those currently recognized by the AKC.”
Although the American Kennel Club does not currently recognize the American Bully, there are several reputable organizations that do, such as the United Kennel Club, American Bully Kennel Club, National Kennel Club, and International Bully Coalition. These organizations are dedicated to promoting the breed and providing resources for breeders and enthusiasts. While the AKC’s recognition would give additional legitimacy to the American Bully, it is essential to remember that the breed’s growing popularity and acceptance in various kennel clubs worldwide are significant accomplishments in their own right