The American Working Dog Federation ( AWDF )was formed in St. Louis, MO., June 17, 1989 to develop awareness in the United States about the crucial need to provide a broader base to represent the working dog throughout the world and to preserve and protect the heritage of our respective breeds in America.

The goals shared by the AWDF member clubs are:

To preserve and protect the working heritage of the various working breeds. That working character has been weakened by American breeders is seldom argued. In several working breeds, the "type" of the dogs that are produced in their homelands now is considerably different, both physically and mentally, from those produced in America.

To have American working titles recorded and recognized internationally and to preserve our pedigree system. All of the member clubs either have developed, or are in the process of developing, registry systems that meet the international standard.

To become affiliated with the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale). FCI, a world-recognized organization, acknowledges just one registry per nation. AWDF is an applicant member of FCI. Presently, AWDF participates as a guest member at FCI meetings and invitational events.