Why the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank Matters—Even to a Hybrid Breeder Like Us
At Stokeshire, we are passionate about shaping a brighter future for dogs and the families who love them. While our focus lies in breeding ethical, health-tested hybrids such as the Australian Mountain Doodle and Golden Mountain Doodle, we deeply respect the vital work being done by the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank (PPB). This initiative matters—not just to purebred breeders, but to everyone invested in the future of healthy, purpose-driven dogs.
Purebred Bernese Mountain Dog
The PPB addresses a looming, often-overlooked crisis in the dog world: the declining population and genetic diversity of many purebred breeds. Some breeds now see fewer than five litters registered annually—a sobering reminder of how easily unique bloodlines, carefully nurtured through centuries, can quietly disappear. The loss of these breeds’ genetic diversity, along with their rich history and purpose, represents an irreplaceable erosion of canine heritage. Without intentional efforts like those led by the PPB, we risk watching certain breeds fade into extinction.
Why should hybrid breeders care? The answer is simple. Programs like ours stand on the foundation of exceptional, well-bred purebreds—Bernese Mountain Dogs, Poodles, Australian Shepherds, and others. These purebred lines bring the qualities that make ethical hybrid breeding possible, from sound temperament and robust health to intelligence and versatility. Without careful stewardship of these genetic resources, the foundation of hybrid breeding would crumble, jeopardizing the responsible practices we and countless other breeders strive to uphold.
The AKC Purebred Preservation Bank plays a critical role in safeguarding this foundation. By banking frozen semen from genetically sound, well-tempered males, the PPB ensures that the traits defining these breeds aren’t lost to time. This program doesn’t just preserve the past—it creates opportunities for the future. A purebred breed teetering on the edge of disappearance may someday find revitalization, thanks to frozen genetic material stored today. Hybrid breeders, too, may one day benefit from the ongoing strength of these preserved lines, ensuring our programs remain vibrant, healthy, and ethical.
Preservation and innovation are natural partners. They are strongest when intertwined. While we, as hybrid breeders, select for coat quality, temperament, and hybrid vigor, we also understand that without the legacy of purebred breeds, our work could not exist. Preserving the past safeguards the future—not only for purebred breeders but for all who care about the betterment of dogs.
To purebred breeders with stored semen or those considering their impact on their breed’s future, we urge you to contribute to the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank. Your participation has the power to protect your breed’s legacy for generations to come. For fellow hybrid breeders like us, we encourage you to honor the heritage of the incredible dogs that make your programs possible. These are the lines we owe everything to—they deserve our active support and respect.
Ethical breeding isn’t just about creation in the present. It is about protecting and stewarding the future. Together, we can ensure that this future holds strong, diverse, and purpose-bred dogs for the generations yet to come.
— The Stokeshire Team