Foundation Stock Service · Herding Group
Where can I show my Working Kelpie?
The Working Kelpie is an AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) breed in the Herding Group. Here’s where it can compete, what classes it can enter, and how to find shows.
Short answer: In AKC FSS Open Shows — conformation events held specifically for Foundation Stock Service and Miscellaneous Class breeds — plus 4–6 Month Beginner Puppy and AKC companion and performance events. The Working Kelpie is working toward full AKC recognition and cannot yet enter regular all-breed conformation classes.
Is the Working Kelpie AKC recognized?
The Working Kelpie is enrolled in the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS), assigned to the Herding Group. FSS is AKC’s program for rare breeds working toward full recognition. The path runs FSS → Miscellaneous Class → full recognition, granted by the AKC Board once the breed meets requirements for numbers, geographic distribution, and an active national parent club.
What classes can a Working Kelpie enter?
- FSS Open Shows — informal AKC conformation events held specifically for Foundation Stock Service and Miscellaneous Class breeds. Dogs earn Certificate of Merit (CM) points toward a CM title here, not championship points.
- 4–6 Month Beginner Puppy — open to FSS and Miscellaneous breeds at shows that offer it.
- Junior Showmanship — FSS and Miscellaneous breeds may be shown by juniors.
- Companion & performance events — obedience, rally, agility, tracking, and more are open to FSS-enrolled breeds.
How to find shows for your Working Kelpie
Start with ThePetAdvisor’s show weekends: every weekend guide notes entry status and closing dates, and our guides increasingly flag which shows offer FSS and Miscellaneous Class judging. Because Miscellaneous offerings vary show to show, always confirm in the official premium list before entering — and verify closing dates with the superintendent.
You can also search AKC’s event database directly for FSS Open Shows (event type “FSS Open Show”) near you.
The road to full AKC recognition
Full AKC recognition is earned, not given. A breed moves from the Foundation Stock Service to the Miscellaneous Class and finally to regular status by vote of the AKC Board of Directors — a process that takes years and requires documented breed numbers, nationwide owners, and a single active national parent club. Three breeds completed the journey on January 1, 2026: the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, and the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier.
National parent club
The AKC requires each FSS and Miscellaneous breed to be represented by a single national parent club on the road to recognition. Find the Working Kelpie’s parent club through AKC’s club search, or via the breed’s AKC page.