What is the MDBA?
Official Statement Posted on FB 15th September 2025. Reprinted with permission by Julie Nelson, CEO and founder of the MDBA (Master Dog Breeders and Associates).
Why the MDBA Runs the Way It Does — and How That Protects Breeds, Members, and Dogs
If you’ve been in the purebred dog world long enough, you’ve seen this before:
A breed in development gains momentum, personalities clash, rumours fly, and suddenly a splinter group appears claiming they’ll “do it better.”
It almost always unfolds the same way:
How MDBA’s structure prevents this
The MDBA is an all-breeds registry, designed from the ground up to protect every MDBA-recognised breed in development—not just one.
Here’s how that works in practice:
Traditional all-breeds systems (e.g., Dogs Australia/FCI, AKC) operate through national member registries. Recognition within those systems requires a single custodian (usually the country of origin) to control the stud book from inception. Independent international registries (like MDBA) aren’t part of that pathway—recognition there runs through their own member structures.
If a breed splits into competing registries under the same name, recognition under that same name within those systems is effectively off the table.
MDBA takes a different path. From day one we recognise the breed’s name, unify records globally, and keep the stud book intact. That protects continuity, data integrity, and welfare regardless of geography or politics.
One Stud Book. One Global Registry.
Building the Registry of the Future.
MDBA is building something better than the old model
In the MDBA system, every breeder worldwide is included from day one because we run one unified international stud book. Your dogs are part of the official gene pool whether they are bred in Australia, Europe, or anywhere else.
By contrast, in traditional systems a single national registry controls the tap. That can lock out breeders and dogs in other countries—even when they share the same ancestors—simply because their records don’t flow through that one national stud book.
MDBA is more than a registry—it’s a worldwide community. While other systems close doors and limit participation, MDBA opens them. No borders. No exclusions. Just one global stud book protecting the welfare and future of the breed.
MDBA is not a “small one-breed registry”
Sometimes people assume MDBA is a single-breed registry that should be run at the direction of only that breed’s participants. The reality is different.
MDBA’s mandate is to deliver an overarching framework that:
A quick word on confidentiality and fairness
Think it through: MDBA can’t publicly share details of investigations or the outcomes of compliance hearings. We also can’t act on demands from people who don’t have all the facts. Members trust us to give every person the benefit of the doubt, to listen to their side, and to make decisions based on evidence—not assumption or gossip—without broadcasting private details.
That standard doesn’t change depending on who’s involved. If members expect us to treat them fairly and confidentially, they must also extend MDBA the same trust: there will always be details we simply cannot share. Every member is treated the same—regardless of who they are or what breed they own.
The bottom line
MDBA processes aren’t “red tape.” They’re protection:
Why the MDBA Runs the Way It Does — and How That Protects Breeds, Members, and Dogs
If you’ve been in the purebred dog world long enough, you’ve seen this before:
A breed in development gains momentum, personalities clash, rumours fly, and suddenly a splinter group appears claiming they’ll “do it better.”
It almost always unfolds the same way:
- A handful of people break away
- They rally others who are already unhappy (for big or small reasons)
- The public hears one side of the story—often incomplete or exaggerated—until perception takes on a life of its own
- Meanwhile the gene pool and registry split, putting future recognition under the established breed name at risk
- Decades of work are set back—or undone
- Breeders must rebrand or start again under a new name to pursue recognition
- The breed loses continuity in records, health data, and development plans
How MDBA’s structure prevents this
The MDBA is an all-breeds registry, designed from the ground up to protect every MDBA-recognised breed in development—not just one.
Here’s how that works in practice:
- All-breed systems — Our compliance, recognition, and record-keeping frameworks apply consistently across breeds. They’re designed to meet applicable regulatory requirements and operate under clear oversight. A dedicated Compliance Team follows strict procedures so decisions are consistent, scalable, and impartial.
- Majority-based decisions — No single person or small group can change a breed standard, stud books, or a breed’s development path. Significant changes require the majority of custodial breeders to be on board.
- Centralised records — MDBA maintains the sole stud book for each developing breed—essential for a credible, continuous history of dogs, health, and decisions.
- Checks and balances — Disputes and complaints move through formal, evidence-based processes—not gossip, social pressure, or personalities.
- Protected intellectual property — Breed standards, health protocols, evaluator training, and development plans are safeguarded and can’t be altered without due process.
Traditional all-breeds systems (e.g., Dogs Australia/FCI, AKC) operate through national member registries. Recognition within those systems requires a single custodian (usually the country of origin) to control the stud book from inception. Independent international registries (like MDBA) aren’t part of that pathway—recognition there runs through their own member structures.
If a breed splits into competing registries under the same name, recognition under that same name within those systems is effectively off the table.
MDBA takes a different path. From day one we recognise the breed’s name, unify records globally, and keep the stud book intact. That protects continuity, data integrity, and welfare regardless of geography or politics.
One Stud Book. One Global Registry.
Building the Registry of the Future.
MDBA is building something better than the old model
In the MDBA system, every breeder worldwide is included from day one because we run one unified international stud book. Your dogs are part of the official gene pool whether they are bred in Australia, Europe, or anywhere else.
By contrast, in traditional systems a single national registry controls the tap. That can lock out breeders and dogs in other countries—even when they share the same ancestors—simply because their records don’t flow through that one national stud book.
MDBA is more than a registry—it’s a worldwide community. While other systems close doors and limit participation, MDBA opens them. No borders. No exclusions. Just one global stud book protecting the welfare and future of the breed.
MDBA is not a “small one-breed registry”
Sometimes people assume MDBA is a single-breed registry that should be run at the direction of only that breed’s participants. The reality is different.
MDBA’s mandate is to deliver an overarching framework that:
- Protects the welfare of all dogs registered with us
- Provides a consistent, transparent compliance system that’s fair across the board
- Resolves disputes using facts and process—not popularity contests
- Future-proofs breeds by applying robust, modern, all-breed protections and pathways
A quick word on confidentiality and fairness
Think it through: MDBA can’t publicly share details of investigations or the outcomes of compliance hearings. We also can’t act on demands from people who don’t have all the facts. Members trust us to give every person the benefit of the doubt, to listen to their side, and to make decisions based on evidence—not assumption or gossip—without broadcasting private details.
That standard doesn’t change depending on who’s involved. If members expect us to treat them fairly and confidentially, they must also extend MDBA the same trust: there will always be details we simply cannot share. Every member is treated the same—regardless of who they are or what breed they own.
The bottom line
MDBA processes aren’t “red tape.” They’re protection:
- Protection for welfare and health
- Protection for the integrity of records and data
- Protection for years of breeder investment, planning, and care