The Jindo & The AKC
A Misstart
On January 8, 2008, the Jindo was accepted into the American Kennel Club's Foundation Stock Service (AKC-FSS). The application was driven by an owner of three Jindos imported from the United Kingdom, and the Jindo's future group designation was chosen as the "Non-Sporting Group".
The Jindo became eligible to compete and title in companion and performance events, and they could earn conformation Certificate of Merits in AKC Open Shows.
Unfortunately, only eligibility was the extent of the work done with the Jindo. Although the two imported females were recorded with the AKC-FSS and each had a litter, the sole imported male was not recorded. As a result, all the resultant puppies were not added to the AKC-FSS population. No titles were earned and no interest grew for registered, pedigreed Jindos.
The contact that the AKC utilized for the Jindo was no longer reachable, and the AKC's website on the Jindo stagnated for years.
The Jindo became eligible to compete and title in companion and performance events, and they could earn conformation Certificate of Merits in AKC Open Shows.
Unfortunately, only eligibility was the extent of the work done with the Jindo. Although the two imported females were recorded with the AKC-FSS and each had a litter, the sole imported male was not recorded. As a result, all the resultant puppies were not added to the AKC-FSS population. No titles were earned and no interest grew for registered, pedigreed Jindos.
The contact that the AKC utilized for the Jindo was no longer reachable, and the AKC's website on the Jindo stagnated for years.
A New Start
In 2012, the first of several imported Jindos from South Korea was recorded with the AKC-FSS.
In 2014, the first ever Jindo litter was recorded with the AKC-FSS. AKC titles were earned on the Korean imports and the progeny, and this demonstrated activisim persuaded the AKC to transfer the role of Jindo contact for the breed to a new person in 2016.
In 2017, the Korean Jindo Association of America formed as a future AKC parent club for the Jindo.
In January 2024, the AKC name of the breed was changed to Korean Jindo Dog. The Korean Jindo Association of America voted in February 2024 to adjust the name of the club to match the breed name change. The new club name will be Korean Jindo Dog Association of America.
In 2014, the first ever Jindo litter was recorded with the AKC-FSS. AKC titles were earned on the Korean imports and the progeny, and this demonstrated activisim persuaded the AKC to transfer the role of Jindo contact for the breed to a new person in 2016.
In 2017, the Korean Jindo Association of America formed as a future AKC parent club for the Jindo.
In January 2024, the AKC name of the breed was changed to Korean Jindo Dog. The Korean Jindo Association of America voted in February 2024 to adjust the name of the club to match the breed name change. The new club name will be Korean Jindo Dog Association of America.
Current Work in Progress
Form and Grow a Strong National Breed Club within the FSS level
"It is often brought up with a certain amount of heat that Jindos are not fully AKC recognized. There is a reason, and actually a good reason. Simply put, it starts with a breed needing a solid base of people involved in it. AKC is a "club of clubs" and this means that it is the national breed club (and the people involved in it) that makes all the important decisions. The AKC system is set up to require this solid base before a breed is recognized. This is a good thing.
The Jindo is currently in the FSS level where the initial club is formed, board members established, club constitution and bylaws drawn up, meetings held, the club putting on events. and newsletters started.
It is all about establishing a core group of fanciers. Not just people who think the breed is interesting, but people willing to do the actual work of running a club. This step builds the breed's foundation."
The Jindo is currently in the FSS level where the initial club is formed, board members established, club constitution and bylaws drawn up, meetings held, the club putting on events. and newsletters started.
It is all about establishing a core group of fanciers. Not just people who think the breed is interesting, but people willing to do the actual work of running a club. This step builds the breed's foundation."
~co-founder of the Korean Jindo Dog Association of America
The following is a list of tasks that national breed clubs embark on while in FSS:
- Educational website to share information with the public.
- Research, Development, Documentation - AKC and National Breed Club requirements, Federal, State, and Local requirements and regulations Incorporation, Licensing, Nonprofit, Taxes, Bank Account, Constitutions/Bylaws. Develop membership and meeting processes and schedules.
- Officer and Board of Directors List with full contact information on file and updated with AKC annually or when an officer/board position changes.
- Club Membership List with full contact information, year joined the club, and designations for breeders, exhibitors, dog owners and judges on file with AKC and updated annually.
- Holding Regular Club Meetings and Board Meetings for two (2) years - Submitting the meeting minutes, including financial information, for the AKC files.
- Publish Quarterly Newsletter (can be electronic) - provide copies to AKC along with any other public columns.
- Members are encouraged and actively participating in the Club, AKC Companion event competitions such as agility, obedience, rally, tracking and any other events in which the breed is eligible.
- Documentation of club events conducted, or in which the breed has participated, such as shows, matches, judge education, seminars, Meet The Breeds, Responsible Dog Ownership Events or other opportunities to educate the public about the breed.
- Demonstration that members are actively involved as breeders, determined by an increase in dogs and litters enrolled in AKC Foundation Stock Service.
- Members are encouraged to join an All-Breed Club.
- Form some active committees like health, membership, etc.
- Document Club History.
Establish a Stable U.S. Population
In communications with Korean Jindo Dog fanciers in South Korea, the number "150" is often brought up with impatience.
This number is based on the verbiage "a minimum of 150 dogs with 3-generation pedigrees" before dogs in the FSS can progress to the next level of AKC recognition, Miscellaneous. This is one of many requirements to be eligible for Miscellaneous.
It is actually not too difficult for a breed to reach 150 dogs if breeding for the short-term. Breeding practices such as unreasonable repeat pairings, use of popular sires, and inbreeding are tactics that have been used before. In the long-term, though, these practices which reduce the genetic diversity in a population does not serve the breed nor the individual dogs.
DNA analysis of Jindos imported from Korea reveal that the breed is confirmed to have very low inbreeding as its basis. If the Jindo is to remain true to their origins, steps have to be taken to import pedigreed founders from diverse family backgrounds in sufficient numbers to avoid a shrinking of the gene pool in the AKC population. Care have to be taken to produce generations that keep up the diversity.
A good target would be to have 50 unrelated imports as founders, at minimum, and an average inbreeding for the population maintained at less than 5%.
On an additional note, the AKC's "150" only applies to dogs registered and not 150 dogs placed in happy, well-suited home. It is the responsibility of the importers, breeders, and/or buyers to ensure that all these dogs are placed in homes that appreciate the breed and will enjoy living with the breed. It serves neither the breed, nor the individual dog, nor the owner of the individual dog if dogs are placed rashly and the resultant situation ends up harming the reputation of the breed rather than promoting it.
This number is based on the verbiage "a minimum of 150 dogs with 3-generation pedigrees" before dogs in the FSS can progress to the next level of AKC recognition, Miscellaneous. This is one of many requirements to be eligible for Miscellaneous.
It is actually not too difficult for a breed to reach 150 dogs if breeding for the short-term. Breeding practices such as unreasonable repeat pairings, use of popular sires, and inbreeding are tactics that have been used before. In the long-term, though, these practices which reduce the genetic diversity in a population does not serve the breed nor the individual dogs.
DNA analysis of Jindos imported from Korea reveal that the breed is confirmed to have very low inbreeding as its basis. If the Jindo is to remain true to their origins, steps have to be taken to import pedigreed founders from diverse family backgrounds in sufficient numbers to avoid a shrinking of the gene pool in the AKC population. Care have to be taken to produce generations that keep up the diversity.
A good target would be to have 50 unrelated imports as founders, at minimum, and an average inbreeding for the population maintained at less than 5%.
On an additional note, the AKC's "150" only applies to dogs registered and not 150 dogs placed in happy, well-suited home. It is the responsibility of the importers, breeders, and/or buyers to ensure that all these dogs are placed in homes that appreciate the breed and will enjoy living with the breed. It serves neither the breed, nor the individual dog, nor the owner of the individual dog if dogs are placed rashly and the resultant situation ends up harming the reputation of the breed rather than promoting it.
