The United Kennel Club (UKC) is the second oldest kennel club in the United States. It is estimated to be world’s largest performance dog registry, registering dogs from all 50 states and 25 foreign countries. As a departure from registries that place emphasis on a dog’s looks, UKC events are designed for dogs that look and perform equally well. UKC prides itself on its family-oriented, friendly, educational events.
History
UKC was founded on February 10, 1898, by Chauncey Z. Bennett, who was motivated by dissatisfaction with the other dog registries, which were, he felt, geared too much for the conformation-only show dog or the wealthy hobby man, what Bennett called, “the big city idle rich†(UKC Centennial Book, The First 100 Years, copyright 1997, UKC). Bennett conceived and promoted the concept of the "Total Dogâ€, that is, a dog that performs as well as it looks; in which intelligence and working ability were as important as conformation to the written breed standard. Bennett found a niche among the owners of working dogs, such as herding and hunting dogs. UKC has supported this "Total Dog" philosophy through its events and programs for over a century, as more than 60 percent of its nearly 16,000 annually licensed events are tests of hunting ability, training and instinct.
UKC Presidents from 1898 to Present
Chauncey Z. Bennett (UKC Founder and President from 1898 to 1936) laid a strong groundwork for the registry’s success with his foresight of using a numerical system for registering dogs. The first dog registered, UKC Number 1, was Bennett’s American Pit Bull Terrier, Bennett’s Ring.
Frances Bennett Fuhrman (UKC President from 1936 to 1944), daughter of Chauncey Bennett, improved the editorial content and appearance of the UKC magazine, Bloodlines.
Dr. E.G. Fuhrman (UKC President from 1944 to 1973), husband of Frances Fuhrman and son-in-law to Chauncey Bennett, promoted dog shows and introduced the four types of UKC coonhound events: Bench Shows, Nite Hunts, Field Trials, and Water Races.
Fred T. Miller (UKC President from 1973 to 2000), took many steps towards modernization, which improved customer service and turnaround time on paperwork.
Wayne R. Cavanaugh (UKC President from 2000 to 2014), furthered UKC’s dominance as a proactive and performance-based registry where the health and vitality of each breed were at the forefront of all decisions and advancements. Mr. Cavanaugh was Chairman of the Board from 2014 until his retirement in October 2015.
Tanya Raab (UKC President from 2014 to present), current UKC president, has been with the company since 1989. Tanya’s understanding of the inner workings of UKC promotes highly efficient strides towards increased customer service with an eye for betterment of all UKC programs through the Total Dog philosophy.
Registration
Different methods of registering dogs with UKC:
- Single Registration is for dogs whose parents are not UKC registered, but are registered by another approved entity.
- Performance Listing allows purebred dogs of unknown pedigree, and mixed breed dogs, to participate in most UKC Licensed performance events.
- Litter Registration is a method of two UKC registered dogs of the same breed to register offspring. The application must be submitted before the offspring reaches one year of age.
- Litter Registered dogs receive an Application for Permanent Registration (a temporary application used to permanently register dogs). The Application for Permanent Registration is then sent to the UKC office for each dog’s Permanent Registration Certificate (the official UKC registration certificate issued signifying UKC registration).
Programs
The programs at UKC include Obedience Trials, Rally Obedience Trials, Agility Trials, Weight Pull Events, Drag Races, Dock Jumping Events, Lure Coursing, Nosework, Total Junior Program, Coonhound Field Trials, Water Races, Nite Hunts and Bench Shows, Hunt Tests for retrieving breeds, Pointing Dog Events, Beagle Events (including Hunts and Bench Shows, and Cur and Feist Squirrel and Coon Events and Bench Shows).
Hunting programs
UKC offers a wide variety of field events for all types of hunting dog enthusiasts. The events offered by the Hunting Programs Department at UKC are designed to as closely simulate an actual hunt as possible with the exception of taking of game, which is strictly prohibited. Dogs compete, sometimes individually and sometimes in a group depending on the event, for points towards Championship and Grand Championship titles. All UKC Hunting program Events are designed to encourage amateur participation. Owners are encouraged to handle their own dogs, and in some cases there are specific provisions against participation by professional handlers.
UKC championship
For the United Kennel Club (US) (UKC Ch), a combination of points (for example, winning the class earns 10 points in non-variety breeds, 5 in variety breeds) and competition wins (including group placements and Best In Show/Reserve Best in Multi-Breed Show) are required. In UKC a dog must receive 100 points with at least three competition wins under three different judges. A competition win is when a dog defeats at least one other dog and receives points. A UKC Grand Champion (GRCh) title is earned by winning in competition with other champions of the breed in at least five shows under at least three different judges.
See also
- American Kennel Club
- American Bulldog Registry
References
External links
- Official United Kennel Club site