Foundation Stock Service What You Need to Know
The Foundation Stock Service
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 197 different dog breeds as of February 2021. You might think that is more than enough. However, there are probably hundreds of dog breeds worldwide that the AKC does not recognize. The AKC provides a pathway for dog breeds to become recognized by maintaining the Foundation Stock Service.
A breed that is officially recognized by the American Kennel Club is able to compete fully and at the highest levels in AKC-sanctioned dog shows, and it has one designated national “parent club” that is the sole steward of its standard—the official breed description used as a blueprint by breeders and judges alike. How Does a Dog Breed Become AKC Recognized?
There are 72 dog breeds included in the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service (FSS) in 2022. The AKC’s purpose for the FSS is to provide a way for breeders to keep records as they develop breeds that may qualify for full recognition.

What is a Foundation Dog
Once a dog breed has established some following in the United States, the AKC requires a minimum of 150 dogs with three generations and at least one club to represent the breed. When those requirements are met, the AKC moves the dog breed to the Miscellaneous Class. Dog breeds may remain in the Miscellaneous Class for an indefinite period before gaining full recognition by the AKC.
Dogs in the Foundation Stock Service
- Alaskan Klee Kai (United States)
- American Bulldog (United States)
- American Leopard Hound (United States)
- Appenzeller Sennenhund (Switzerland)
- Australian Kelpie (Australia)
- Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog (Australia)
- Barbado da Terceira (Portugal)
- Basset Fauve de Bretagne
- Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound
- Bohemian Shepherd
- Bolognese
- Braque du Bourbonnais
- Braque Francais Pyrenean
- Broholmer
- Carolina Dog
- Catahoula Leopard Dog
- Caucasian Shepherd
- Central Asian Shepherd
- Croatian Sheepdog
- Czechoslovakian Vlcak
- Deutscher Wachtelhund
- Drentsche Patrijshond
- Drever
- Estrela Mountain Dog
- Eurasier
- French Spaniel
- German Longhaired Pointer
- German Spitz
- Hamiltonstovare
- Hanoverian Scenthound
- Hokkaido
- Hovawart
- Deutscher Jagdterrier
- Japanese Akita Inu
- Japanese Spitz
- Japanese Terrier
- Jindo
- Kai Ken
- Karelian Bear Dog
- Kishu Ken
- Kromfohrlander
- Lapponian Herder
- Mountain Cur
- Perro de Presa Canario
- Porcelaine
- Portuguese Pointer
- Portuguese Sheepdog
- Pudelpointer
- Pyrenean Mastiff
- Rafeiro do Alentejo
- Romanian Carpathian Shepherd
- Romanian Mioritic Shepherd
- Russkaya Tsvetnaya Bolonka
- Schapendoes
- Segugio Italiano
- Shikoku
- Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer
- Slovensky Cuva
- Slovensky Kopov
- Spanish Mastiff
- Stabyhoun
- Swedish Lapphund
- Taiwan Dog
- Thai Ridgeback
- Tornjak
- Tosa
- Transylvanian Hound
- Treeing Tennessee Brindle
- Volpino Italiano
- Wetterhoun
- Working Kelpie
- Yakutian Laika