Reasons for AKC PPB
How AKC PPB Works
Costs and Fees
Information for Donors
Information for Clubs
Information for Recipients
Future Considerations
Reasons for AKC PPB
Introduction
You probably know the serious concerns that the AKC has about low entry and small population breeds. The AKC Purebred Preservation Bank (AKC PPB) was developed to address those concerns and provide support and encouragement for preserving the genetic heritage of all purebred dogs.
How did AKC PPB get started?
Following discussion at the January 2021 AKC Board meeting, Mr. Sprung recommended that AKC explore establishing a frozen semen program which would increase gene pools, ensure saving of quality producers, and make it easy for each Parent Club to take this step for their breed. Ultimately, this would assist the breeds and the breeders of today and in the future. The model of the Otterhound Reproductive Bank was studied, along with the inability of other Parent Clubs to duplicate their efforts.
Why is this necessary?
Preservation of canine semen is not just for the breeds with lower-than-average levels of breeding activity. Any breed could be susceptible to genetic bottlenecks or difficulties as the discovery of new diseases emerges. Storing diverse semen could address unknown future health concerns and rejuvenate threatened breeds, e.g., provide genetic repair by using frozen semen that pre-dates the existence or evolution of the disease in the breed. Imagine if it were possible to add the conformation quality or health traits of an outstanding specimen of your breed from 50 or more years ago to today’s gene pool.
What is the organizational structure?
We are a tax-exempt Delaware non-profit entity and a separate affiliate from AKC, similar in structure to AKC Reunite and the AKC Humane Fund.
What breeder population are you hoping to attract for application? What would make AKC PPB more attractive than other frozen availabilities?
We are prepared to work with any breeder, old or new, that is interested in the long-term preservation of their breed. The advantage of AKC PPB is that it provides an organization and structure that will outlive all current breeders, and will be paying for the long-term storage with a defined mechanism for future distribution in accordance with Parent Club recommendations.
What kind of activities is the AKC undertaking in order to develop “buy-in” in a fancy where breeders are traditionally not collaborative?
Educating the fancy about what AKC PPB is and is not helps to alleviate misunderstandings and encouraging buy in. Webinars, live seminars, zoom meetings with Parent Clubs, discussions with the frozen semen storage providers, discussions at AKC delegate meetings and presence at dog shows are all currently being utilized for this important challenge.
Are there any current breeds at close risk of extinction?
While there are no AKC recognized breeds at immediate risk of extinction, there are a few with very low numbers, and AKC PPB wants to be prepared for any future breed catastrophe.
Should it not be required for every PC to set something up immediately if you are actively seeking semen from every breed?
One of the guiding principles of AKC PPB is that there will be no mandates or requirements for Parent Clubs. However, we strongly suggest and encourage Parent Clubs to submit their breed-specific parameters, but we realize that this will take some time for many Parent Clubs. Therefore, AKC PPB will accept frozen semen donations from breeds even before their Parent Club has submitted its parameters.
Europe is banning the breeding of certain breeds. Will the AKC PPB be useful in counteracting these initiatives, if it should come to the US?
Should that scenario arise, AKC PPB will respond appropriately, depending on the specifics.
Our breed club is early in the process of developing a “breeders database.” Can AKC PPB data help to populate the database?
While your breeders database is a laudable project, because of confidentiality and privacy concerns, AKC PPB will not be able to push our data to it.
When will you open the program – how many years from now?
AKC PPB is currently open and accepting donations now, and paying for storage.
I store the semen- along with cattle and horse – I can do this now, but I am 70 years old.
This is an excellent example of how an AKC PPB donation can be useful.
How Does AKC PPB Work?
What is the basic process?
The AKC PPB will be able to take ownership of donated frozen semen once the donor application has been processed and accepted. AKC PPB will fund the storage of the donated frozen semen.
If a breed is determined to be at risk, in consultation with the Parent Club, a breeder can apply to utilize the stored semen and AKC PPB will manage the transfer process to individuals who have completed the application process and met the Parent Club recommended criteria. Breed specific parameters can be established by Parent Clubs to facilitate acceptance and release decisions for the stored semen.
Where does the semen originate?
The AKC PPB will accept frozen semen donations from individual owners and semen storage providers and AKC PPB will then own this semen. Currently, frozen semen is often abandoned due to the owner’s death or incapacitation, or because storage fees are no longer being paid.
Where is the physical bank?
AKC PPB has arrangements with Iowa State University’s veterinary school for storage of the frozen semen, as well as several ICSB centers and other independent storage facilities. We anticipate allowing other storage facilities to participate if they meet appropriate criteria.
Will the Bank be in conflict with stud owners?
No, the AKC PPB will not directly participate in breedings or whelpings and will not own dogs, litters or individual puppies. Frozen semen owned by AKC PPB will not compete with any semen owned by the stud owner.
Can litters be AKC-registered?
Yes, provided that all other AKC litter registration criteria are met.
When it comes time to register puppies from donated semen, who will be listed as the semen owner?
The donated frozen semen will be owned by AKC PPB, so they will be listed as the semen owners on the registration application.
What happens if the owner on the AKC paperwork does not sign off on the litter?
Once the frozen semen has been donated, AKC PPB becomes the owner and will be responsible for filling out the appropriate portion of the registration paperwork.
Will owners of dogs registered in their perspective countries’ registries be allowed to participate?
We do not yet have a process for foreign registered dogs. This is under discussion and may be available in the future.
How would one know that the semen was actually used on the bitch?
Like any AKC registration issue, the integrity of the registrants is paramount. Furthermore, AKC PPB will be very interested in following the results of any breeding from their semen. Any questions of impropriety will be thoroughly investigated.
Due to cost constraints or storage space limitations, will there be a process and prioritization mechanism in place to cull some of the stored material?
Yes, should that time come, there will be a process and prioritization of which semen might need to be culled, according to the perceived value of each sample to the preservation of that breed.
How does the transfer process work? Is there a fee?
Upon donation, the ownership of frozen semen is transferred to AKC PPB, who then pays for continued storage fees. The AKC PPB will be able to transfer stored semen to individual breeders through a fee-based application approval process. Once an application is approved, the transfer process will include a Usage Fee to cover any additional storage time and shipping. All or some of the application fee may be applied to the Usage Fee upon transfer. The amount of these fees has not yet been set but will be proportional to the breeding marketplace of that breed at the time of breeding.
Who makes the selection decision of the sire?
Once a Parent Club establishes its criteria, the owner of the bitch will make this breeding decision and proceed through the appropriate application process. The AKC PPB will then review the application according to the Parent Club derived acceptance criteria.
Does the AKC model assume that the bank is going to pay for itself?
The financial projections do not expect that this will break even. AKC has committed permanent support of our mission, and other sources of funding will also be sought. Realistically, we can hope that breeds nearing extinction will be rare, so AKC PPB distributions will be infrequent, but having that safety net is critically important.
What happens to straws in the AKC PPB if a Parent Club decides to start its own reproductive bank?
If that scenario develops, it should be possible for both banks to cooperatively coexist. Transfers could potentially occur, provided appropriate permissions and releases are secured.
Does the AKC PPB plan to create a database of available straws (i.e. information about the stud in question)?
Yes, the plan is to eventually have an interactive web site connected to the database that can display the inventory and the relevant information about each sire and his semen.
Is there a set of rules that would open up the breed bank only when breed based low-point thresholds are passed (# of puppies or # of litter falls below a certain point)?
Yes, a policy and procedure is under development that will, with consultation with the Parent Club, determine when a breed is at significant risk and eligible for distribution of AKC PPB stored semen.
What is the short-term likelihood that donations are not used?
While there are no AKC recognized breeds at immediate risk of extinction, there are a few with very low numbers, and AKC PPB wants to be prepared for any future breed catastrophe.
The stars from the past or today may be the dogs that save their breed in the future.
Why is this effort not called a “repopulation bank” instead of a reproduction bank? This seems to get across the idea of the real reasons behind this initiative?
The name chosen, AKC Purebred Preservation Bank, reflects the importance of preservation breeding, both now and in the future.
What prevents semen storage facilities from selling the semen of those people who are late or cannot afford their semen at this time but still want to retain ownership and who have given a good faith promise to pay?
Essentially all frozen semen storage facilities have policies in place to deal appropriately with clients who are not able to pay their bills for a variety of reasons. Selling to a third party is generally not an option. However, AKC PPB is working with storage facilities to facilitate the donation of qualified frozen semen that would otherwise be destroyed for non-payment.
Will AKC PPB become involved with the factions that propose mixed breeding to increase diversity and possibly the health of a breed?
As the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank, we will not be dealing with any form of mixed breeds.
Who is contacting all the many semen storage facilities to educate them to arrange donating abandoned semen?
Susan Myers, AKC PPB’s program manager, is responsible for contacting and negotiating with semen storage facilities. Early in our development, AKC PPB contacted all the semen storage facilities that could be identified, with the help of the Society for Theriogenology, to inquire about their interest, and inform them of our new organization.
How are breeders to be protected from release of a portion of prize sire semen without authorization of the owning breeder(s) to an unauthorized party?
AKC PPB, as owners of the donated semen, will use the submitted Parent Club criteria for determining who is or who is not an appropriate recipient.
Costs and Fees
Is there a fee to donate to the AKC PPB?
There is no charge to donate to the AKC PPB.
Is there a fee for Parent Clubs to participate in the AKC PPB?
No, there is no fee or charge for Parent Clubs to participate.
Who pays for the expenses for collecting, shipping, etc.? Who is paid for the acquisition of semen and storage?
AKC PPB will accept donations of frozen semen and will pay for the storage after the donation is complete. Consistent with current breeding practices, the sire owner pays for any costs of collection, transportation, and storage prior to donation to AKC PPB.
Will there be additional expenses for semen owners, aside from the cost of transferring the semen from its current storage facility to the AKC PPB?
No, there is no cost to donate frozen semen to AKC PPB, nor any subsequent fees to the donor. Since the transfer of semen can be quite costly, AKC PPB will decide at its discretion whether to transport the semen (at AKC PPB’s expense) or leave it at its current location, with AKC PPB paying for the storage until distribution.
Will AKC PPB charge a “stud fee” and how will this be determined, and would these funds be used to support the AKC PPB program?
The amount of the administrative fee for distribution of frozen semen has not been determined. As you can imagine, it is impossible to accurately predict what anything will cost 25 or 50 years from now. However, we expect that the fee would be similar to the then going rate for a stud service for that breed. That revenue will be used to help support the AKC PPB program costs.
Donation Questions
Does AKC have any requirements of their own that a potential donor must meet in order to donate or is that completely up to the individual breed?
There will be three levels of information that donors will be asked to submit:
- Donor Application and Semen Profile, which contains demographic and health information about the sire and semen
- Genetic Material Donation Agreement
- Breed specific information determined in consultation with Parent Clubs
The basic requirement for donation is that the sire is AKC registered, and the owner of the semen has given proper authorization for AKC PPB to own and use the frozen semen. Recognizing that most donations will have value, but some more than others, the AKC PPB Gift Acceptance Committee reviews all relevant information prior to recommending acceptance.
What health information will be required/available for the dog?
The general health information for the sire and his progeny are requested in the Donor Application, plus the Parent Club supplied breed specific information and parameters. This information will be available to prospective semen users.
Can DNA be tested on puppies if their Sire wasn’t DNA tested while living?
Yes, that could provide useful information. Overall, health and trait information about the sire’s progeny is frequently useful, and that information is requested on the Donor Application.
What if a donor dog is on conditional, limited, or restricted registration?
How this might apply to distribution has not been decided and is under further discussion. The AKC PPB’s bias is always to save genetic material rather than discard it.
Will a legal template be provided for estate planning?
While AKC PPB cannot give legal or tax advice, sample bequest language is available on the AKC PPB web site HERE.
It might be wise to promote the idea of a 50/50 straw donation. Donate 10, keep 10?
Yes, that is an excellent suggestion, and that is a great way to provide for your personal needs and also support the preservation of your breed.
If a breeder has a limited number of straws from a stud from 20 or more years ago, would AKC require that one of those straws be given up in order to perform modern day genetic testing on that stud?
No, we do not have nor anticipate such a requirement. We do plan on making available to the breeder/recipient the information on what tests have been completed, if any. Also, since the array of tests available will change with time and progress, any such specific requirement would be impractical. This emphasizes the importance of the sire having donated blood (preferred and required if the sire is still alive) or cheek swab in the CHIC DNA repository, or on FTA cards, to provide future DNA testing.
Can blood of the donating sire be saved for future testing to avoid using a frozen semen sample?
Yes, it is highly recommended to have the sire’s blood stored in the CHIC DNA Repository, with cheek swab or FTA card as an alternative. For donating sires that are still alive, this is a requirement.
Does AKC PPB pay for the transportation of the semen from my vet to your storage site if I “”split”” my available stored semen?
Yes, if donated semen needs to be shipped to AKC PPB’s central location, AKC PPB will pay for that. However, in many cases it is best to leave the semen where it is currently stored, and AKC PPB will pay for future storage.
Are there forms to fill out and leave in my chart with the veterinarian that has my frozen semen so that it can automatically be transferred to AKC PPB upon my death?
Yes, a future bequest form is available on the AKC PPB web site HERE and this is an excellent way of contributing to the future preservation of your breed.
I have recently come across semen that is going to be tossed (not my breed). Will the AKC pay past storage?
AKC PPB pays for the storage of donated frozen semen going forward, but does not pay for the past storage. However, if there is a question of a past due bill where destruction of the semen is imminent, that could be handled on an individual basis.
Can you donate if you don’t show?
Yes, dogs that are not “show dogs” are still valuable for donations – these dogs may represent unique/diverse pedigree backgrounds compared to dogs from the fancy.
Can you donate if you don’t have your breed club’s endorsement?
AKC PPB will welcome all donations that align with the Parent Club’s submitted parameters, but no specific Parent Club individual approval is required for donation.
Is there a place to view a breed club’s donation guidelines before donation?
The Parent Club parameters for donation will be part of the application process, in addition to the general Donation Application. If you are considering a donation, please contact AKC PPB to learn of the Parent Club’s parameters, if they have been submitted.
If someone donates semen (and this is the only breeding unit), does the owner of the stud have a say whether the breeding takes place?
In accordance with IRS 501(c)3 regulations, a donor cannot have control over the disposition of what was donated. For example, the person who donates to a university scholarship fund is not permitted to select the scholarship recipient. So, it is important for the Parent Club parameters to be carefully designed.
What happens if after donation, the sire is found to have produced a significant disease or poor progeny statistics?
Updating the information provided to AKC PPB is important to help determine future use of donated semen. If the semen is, or becomes, not suitable for breeding, the owner should notify AKC PPB.
Does AKC PPB want semen from sires who carry serious genetic diseases?
While even affected dogs may in some cases be successfully bred to clear dams, some donations will be recognized as unsuitable for breeding. However, such samples could be very useful for future research, especially as technology advances. Any research proposal requesting samples would need to be carefully evaluated prior to any distribution.
Do you have a list of semen collection facilities that a stud owner can take the dog to and have him collected at no cost and assign the semen to AKC PPB?
We do not have such a list, but if you contact Susan Myers at AKC PPB, we can help with the arrangements.
Information for Clubs
What expectations does the AKC PPB envision?
We want Parent Clubs to suggest breed-specific distribution criteria, understanding that the criteria may change in the future based on the state of a breed’s Parent Club and the needs of the breed at that time.
What role in your plan/program does the support of national breed clubs play? How do you plan on working with them to encourage support?
Parent Club support is essential in providing breed specific parameters for AKC PPB donations and distributions, as well as disseminating information and encouraging participation in AKC PPB. We have had multiple meetings and presentations with Parent Clubs, and discussions with AKC delegates at their meetings and committee meetings, as well as webinars and seminars open to all. We are happy to work with Parent Clubs to help develop and improve their submitted parameters.
Is there a sample of Parent Club parameters to assist in their development?
Yes, a sample of parameters is available on the web site HERE.
If the Parent Club sends in suggested breed specific parameters is someone with AKC PPB available to review and consult?
Yes, Susan Myers susan.myers@akcppb.org is available and willing to help Parent Clubs in reviewing their breed specific parameters. Some back-and-forth discussions are very common.
Who sets the rules and how consistently are they applied?
Parent Clubs will provide recommendations for the criteria for semen distribution, to be implemented in a fair and consistent manner by AKC PPB.
Will the AKC PPB set a standard for each breed based on genetic tests, OFA scorings etc. and recommended breed club testing to qualify for a specific “grading” of stored semen?
AKC PPB invites each breed’s Parent Club to submit supplemental questions about the donating sire and semen in addition to the general Donor Application. This breed-specific information should be designed to be useful for future breeders who will be selecting the appropriate sire and semen for the proposed dam. A specific grading system is not required, but some stored samples will be more preferable than others.
What process will be established to allow each Parent Club to update its breed-specific acceptance and/or distribution criteria based on new research into diseases and genetic conditions?
AKC PPB will welcome any updates or changes to the Parent Club parameters for donations and distribution at any time.
Will there be a requirement that a bitch owner requesting semen is a member in good standing of the breed’s Parent Club, if a Parent Club exists?
This would be a reasonable criterion to include in the Parent Club recommendations, as it may be more appropriate for some breeds than others.
Will the Parent Club have input to disallow AKC PPB semen use for certain individuals found by the club to act against our breed preservation? For example, proving to be mixing our breed with another breed?
If the Parent Club can devise reasonable, objective criteria which can detect and identify breeders who should not be allowed access to that breed’s AKC PPB stored semen, that can be included in the Parent Club’s recommendations.
If a breeder is aware of issues in another line, is there an option for them to refuse use of semen or does AKC PPB control the breeding?
If the donor is aware from experience that the donated semen may not be appropriate for use with a certain line, or with dams carrying certain traits or genetic features, that information can be included in the section on the Donor Application that describes the donating sire and semen.
Can AKC PPB present an overview with a Q&A at a breed’s National Specialty?
AKC PPB has provided several in-person presentations at National Specialties and at ANC, and more are planned, but it is impractical to send people to every specialty across the country. A good option is for club members to view the recorded webinar presentation available on the AKC PPB web site, followed by a live remote Zoom Q&A session with AKC PPB personnel.
Information for Recipients
Who decides who can access what semen, based on what objective qualifications? What is the screening process for applicants?
The Parent Club will provide criteria that will be used by AKC PPB in the application process to determine eligibility of the dam and the owner of a proposed breeding.
What safeguard(s), if any, will be put in place to assure breed purity in the distant future of semen use?
Only purebred AKC registered dogs will be permitted to use AKC PPB, and DNA testing for parentage is required for any frozen semen use. Furthermore, each use of stored semen will be via an application process, which will include such questions as, “Why is this proposed breeding necessary and appropriate for the preservation of this breed?”
Will new breeds be allowed to access the bank or only breeds in existence when semen was collected?
New breeds will be able to utilize AKC PPB once they are fully approved by AKC, but AKC PPB semen will not be used to create new breeds.
When can the semen be used?
The breed must be determined, by AKC PPB in consultation with the Parent Club, to be at risk before any semen will be distributed. No semen will be distributed from a sire whose owner still has semen available. Some clubs have recommended restrictions on how long the sire must be free of specific disease (such as idiopathic epilepsy) before his semen can be distributed.
What determines how many straws can be withdrawn for a single breeding? Is this number in any way dependent on the total number of straws on hand for an individual breed?
The Society for Theriogenology and the American College of Theriogenologists are developing recommendations for the amount of semen per breeding dose based on dog size. We plan on following those recommendations once they are released.
What type of paperwork will be required for a breeder to apply for withdrawal of straws?
The Semen Recipient Application is available on the AKC PPB website. Similar to the information required for semen donation, there are three levels of documentation requested:
- Basic demographic information and history about the dam and breeder
- Legal disclaimers
- Breed specific information determined in consultation with Parent Clubs
What happens if I donate semen (let’s say from a champion who was collected 40 years ago), and then I want one of the breedings from him back for use in my program?
A donor of frozen semen would be eligible to apply for its distribution and use, and AKC PPB would follow the criteria submitted by the Parent Club in the same manner as any other applicant.
Can people in foreign countries apply for semen distribution? Or is this only a USA thing?
AKC PPB is primarily focused on the preservation of purebred dogs eligible for AKC registration, including eligible foreign dogs. However, the use of AKC PPB-owned semen to produce a litter whelped in a foreign country could be considered on an individual basis.
Future Considerations
How long does the American Kennel Club plan to support the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank?
At its November 2023 meeting the AKC Board resolved:
The American Kennel Club founded the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank and is
permanently committed to the long-term success of its mission to ensure the viability of purebred dogs.
What would happen if the bank were not successful and had to be shut down?
This is a long-term project. However, the further preservation of semen that would otherwise never have been stored in the first place, or that, if already in storage, would have otherwise been discarded, will always be a net positive to the world of purebred dogs, regardless of whether the AKC PPB exists for 20 years or 200 years.
In such a scenario, is there a plan in place to determine how banked straws would be disseminated?
There is not yet a plan in place for that eventuality, as it would depend on the circumstances at the time of dissolution.
What happens if these storage facilities are no longer able to store?
If any of the AKC PPB Partners in Preservation storage facilities can no longer operate effectively, the AKC PPB stored semen will be transferred to another facility.
If the AKC PPB did have to close down, would Parent Clubs be given first option of obtaining semen or would it be destroyed?
This would be a reasonable option provided the Parent Club has an AKC-approved preservation bank of their own in operation at that time.
What is the status of preserving ova?
The science and best practices related to the harvesting of canine ovaries and ova for research, cloning and preservation are developing rapidly. However, though the AKC PPB monitors these developments, it currently has no policies regarding the preservation of such material.
Visit our AKC PPB Documents page for additional background information.