The Chinook Stud Book FAQ
In 2017, CCA received notice from the AKC Board of Directors the Chinook Stud Book would close January 1, 2023. This information has been announced several times since 2017, and is included in the club documents page of the CCA members' only section. Many people aren’t aware of what a stud book, and registry, are comprised of, or why a closed stud book is important for a breed. Let's tackle some of your questions as the clock is ticking!
What is the difference between a Stud Book and a Registry? Stud Book is an old term, referring to lists of male animals "standing at stud", i.e., animals actively breeding. Today, “stud book” is all registered dogs in a breed. Individual breed stud books are collectively held, maintained and guaranteed for accuracy by national organizations like the American Kennel Club. The national organization issues certificates for each recorded dog, the registration papers. While the terms “registry” and “stud book” are defined interchangeably, there are differences in usage. Breed clubs use “Stud Book” when referring to the registered dogs in their breed and “Registry” to refer to the organization that maintains their stud book and issues registration papers, AKC in our case. When AKC says “Registry”, they mean the compilation of all the different breeds’ stud books under their maintenance. There are many registries world-wide, AKC being the largest.
What was the goal of a closing a stud book? Dr. Carmen Battaglia, MA Phd, AKC judge/researcher/writer/speaker said it well: “Improving the conformation, health and temperament of purebred dogs should be the goal of every breeder. What makes this goal reachable began when the studbook for breeds closed. The result was the establishment of specific breeds. By definition closing the stud book means that the diversity of the genes for a breed would be restricted to those already present. Thus when a stud book closes no new genes are allowed into the breeds that were not already present in the gene pool…. By closing a gene pool the pedigrees of each breed became dependable and reliable as a tool for improving breed type, health and temperament. Further refinements occurred as breeders began to use breed standards as their guide for breeding and selection.”
Do other animals have stud books? There are registries and breed clubs for many animals such as horses, cows and cats. The US Association of Zoos and Aquariums maintains stud books for species from aardvarks to zebras. An example of a closed stud book is Thoroughbred horses, with a stud book tracing to 1791.
Why have a stud book? A true pedigree allows for better predictability of the offspring, and predictability is a hallmark of well bred purebred dogs. An accurate stud book is essential for breeders planning a breeding and choosing potential mates. For breeds seeking AKC recognition, one of the biggest hurdles is providing accurate records.
What is the process for a breed’s stud book? AKC allows new breeds to develop under its Foundation Stock Service. These FSS breeds may compete in Open Shows, Companion and Performance events while working on building a club, bylaws, breed standard and gathering the dogs in the breed for registration, meticulously checking pedigrees. In order to move to Miscellaneous class and then Full Recognition, usually the stud book must be closed.
What does it mean when a stud book is “open”? An “open” stud book is one where a dog can still be registered even if it’s earlier ancestors weren’t.
What does it mean when a stud book “closes”? A closed stud book is a stud book or breed registry that does not accept any registration unless the parents are already in the registry. When a stud book closes, all the dogs listed in it are considered the foundation stock of the breed. Thus, the registered dogs and all subsequent offspring trace back to the foundation stock. This ensures that the dog being registered is a purebred member of the breed. The closing of stud books is how breeds are established; allowing pedigrees to become dependable and reliable tools for improving breed type, health and temperament.
So no unregistered animal can ever come into the stud book? A closed stud book, for most breeds, allows imported dogs registered with a three generation pedigree from a registry that’s approved by the AKC (List of approved Kennel Clubs). For many American breeds like Chinook, Catalouha Leopard Dog, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, there is no foreign stock. Once the stud book is closed for at least 5 years, the parent club (CCA) may petition, listing compelling reasons, AKC to open the stud book for a short period allowing limited admittance of outside dogs.
Are most Stud Books open or closed? Most National Registries, worldwide, maintain closed stud books. Open stud books are more controversial as qualifications for animals may not be monitored by the registry or breed club, and/or ancestry is not accurately tracked. This can cause mixed breed dogs to be listed as purebred or ancestry inaccuracies that call the integrity of the stud book (for which the national organization is responsible) into question, causing confusion and frustration for breeders and owners.
Chinooks are fully recognized, why is our stud book still open? As an American breed, small in numbers, AKC recognized the need for more time to seek out and register as many dogs as possible as we don’t have access to foreign stock. In 2013, when Chinooks were fully recognized, AKC extended our registry’s “open” status to 2017. CCA asked for an extension in 2017 and the 2023 date was set. Since 2000, when the Chinook Stud Book was submitted to AKC Foundation Stock Service, the Stud Book has been open. When it closes on January 1, 2023, it will have been open for 23 years!
As such a rare breed, shouldn’t we stay open? Many American (& foreign) breeds with numbers smaller than ours have closed stud books and the breeds are healthy and prospering. A closed stud book has many benefits
(see #2).
Why is CCA doing a free registration program? To include as many Chinooks as possible, giving all breeders the broadest breeding selection. It allows pet owners many opportunities to participate in events and competition, gives our breed access and participation in health studies through the Canine Health Foundation, and provides the most accurate way to check pedigrees, all regardless of club affiliation. ALL UKC REGISTERED CHINOOKS ARE ELIGIBLE.
Will this registration drive get all the Chinooks registered in AKC? Probably not. Every breed has owners who don’t want to register, at all, or don’t choose to register with a particular registry. CCA hopes every owner will see the benefits of dual registration.
More questions? Contact the Registrar
What is the difference between a Stud Book and a Registry? Stud Book is an old term, referring to lists of male animals "standing at stud", i.e., animals actively breeding. Today, “stud book” is all registered dogs in a breed. Individual breed stud books are collectively held, maintained and guaranteed for accuracy by national organizations like the American Kennel Club. The national organization issues certificates for each recorded dog, the registration papers. While the terms “registry” and “stud book” are defined interchangeably, there are differences in usage. Breed clubs use “Stud Book” when referring to the registered dogs in their breed and “Registry” to refer to the organization that maintains their stud book and issues registration papers, AKC in our case. When AKC says “Registry”, they mean the compilation of all the different breeds’ stud books under their maintenance. There are many registries world-wide, AKC being the largest.
What was the goal of a closing a stud book? Dr. Carmen Battaglia, MA Phd, AKC judge/researcher/writer/speaker said it well: “Improving the conformation, health and temperament of purebred dogs should be the goal of every breeder. What makes this goal reachable began when the studbook for breeds closed. The result was the establishment of specific breeds. By definition closing the stud book means that the diversity of the genes for a breed would be restricted to those already present. Thus when a stud book closes no new genes are allowed into the breeds that were not already present in the gene pool…. By closing a gene pool the pedigrees of each breed became dependable and reliable as a tool for improving breed type, health and temperament. Further refinements occurred as breeders began to use breed standards as their guide for breeding and selection.”
Do other animals have stud books? There are registries and breed clubs for many animals such as horses, cows and cats. The US Association of Zoos and Aquariums maintains stud books for species from aardvarks to zebras. An example of a closed stud book is Thoroughbred horses, with a stud book tracing to 1791.
Why have a stud book? A true pedigree allows for better predictability of the offspring, and predictability is a hallmark of well bred purebred dogs. An accurate stud book is essential for breeders planning a breeding and choosing potential mates. For breeds seeking AKC recognition, one of the biggest hurdles is providing accurate records.
What is the process for a breed’s stud book? AKC allows new breeds to develop under its Foundation Stock Service. These FSS breeds may compete in Open Shows, Companion and Performance events while working on building a club, bylaws, breed standard and gathering the dogs in the breed for registration, meticulously checking pedigrees. In order to move to Miscellaneous class and then Full Recognition, usually the stud book must be closed.
What does it mean when a stud book is “open”? An “open” stud book is one where a dog can still be registered even if it’s earlier ancestors weren’t.
What does it mean when a stud book “closes”? A closed stud book is a stud book or breed registry that does not accept any registration unless the parents are already in the registry. When a stud book closes, all the dogs listed in it are considered the foundation stock of the breed. Thus, the registered dogs and all subsequent offspring trace back to the foundation stock. This ensures that the dog being registered is a purebred member of the breed. The closing of stud books is how breeds are established; allowing pedigrees to become dependable and reliable tools for improving breed type, health and temperament.
So no unregistered animal can ever come into the stud book? A closed stud book, for most breeds, allows imported dogs registered with a three generation pedigree from a registry that’s approved by the AKC (List of approved Kennel Clubs). For many American breeds like Chinook, Catalouha Leopard Dog, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, there is no foreign stock. Once the stud book is closed for at least 5 years, the parent club (CCA) may petition, listing compelling reasons, AKC to open the stud book for a short period allowing limited admittance of outside dogs.
Are most Stud Books open or closed? Most National Registries, worldwide, maintain closed stud books. Open stud books are more controversial as qualifications for animals may not be monitored by the registry or breed club, and/or ancestry is not accurately tracked. This can cause mixed breed dogs to be listed as purebred or ancestry inaccuracies that call the integrity of the stud book (for which the national organization is responsible) into question, causing confusion and frustration for breeders and owners.
Chinooks are fully recognized, why is our stud book still open? As an American breed, small in numbers, AKC recognized the need for more time to seek out and register as many dogs as possible as we don’t have access to foreign stock. In 2013, when Chinooks were fully recognized, AKC extended our registry’s “open” status to 2017. CCA asked for an extension in 2017 and the 2023 date was set. Since 2000, when the Chinook Stud Book was submitted to AKC Foundation Stock Service, the Stud Book has been open. When it closes on January 1, 2023, it will have been open for 23 years!
As such a rare breed, shouldn’t we stay open? Many American (& foreign) breeds with numbers smaller than ours have closed stud books and the breeds are healthy and prospering. A closed stud book has many benefits
(see #2).
Why is CCA doing a free registration program? To include as many Chinooks as possible, giving all breeders the broadest breeding selection. It allows pet owners many opportunities to participate in events and competition, gives our breed access and participation in health studies through the Canine Health Foundation, and provides the most accurate way to check pedigrees, all regardless of club affiliation. ALL UKC REGISTERED CHINOOKS ARE ELIGIBLE.
Will this registration drive get all the Chinooks registered in AKC? Probably not. Every breed has owners who don’t want to register, at all, or don’t choose to register with a particular registry. CCA hopes every owner will see the benefits of dual registration.
More questions? Contact the Registrar