REGISTRY, Breed & kennel Club NEWS

To: The American Kennel Club (AKC) Board of Directors

When it is brought to light that a dog has been improperly registered as a breed it is not, for the purpose of competing in AKC events for which it is not eligible, it is incumbent upon the American Kennel Club to do all in its power to rectify the situation in accordance with its Rules and Regulations.

The North American Shepherd (aka Miniature Australian Shepherd) is not recognized by the American Kennel Club and is ineligible to receive an Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) number. In an effort to combat the increasing misidentification and improper AKC registration of North American Shepherds (aka Miniature Australian Shepherds) the United States Australian Shepherd Association, parent club of the AKC Australian Shepherd, has issued the following Position Statement:

"The Miniature Australian Shepherd and the Toy Australian Shepherd are not recognized or considered varieties of the Australian Shepherd by this organization, the United States Australian Shepherd Association, Inc. (USASA), or by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Since these dogs are not AKC registered, they cannot be verified by USASA as purebred, and therefore are not considered Australian Shepherds by this organization."

The top five MACH pointed dogs of each AKC recognized breed received invitations to compete at the prestigious 2006 AKC Agility Invitational. Gala events included a banquet at which the top MACH pointed dog of each breed was honored. The first place award for Australian Shepherds was presented to Blue Moon Shine on Willow, ILP #90494. Willow then went on to win the 12" division overall and first place for her "breed".

A formal complaint was duly filed with the American Kennel Club prior to the 2006 AKC Agility Invitational, on the grounds that Blue Moon Shine on Willow ILP# 90494 is a North American Shepherd, not an Australian Shepherd. The complaint is currently under investigation by the American Kennel Club, based on ample documentation presented to support the facts of the complaint.

While it's understandable that the American Kennel Club must thoroughly and impartially adjudicate each complaint, Willow's invitation the 2006 AKC Agility Invitational deprived other dedicated breeders, owners and handlers of purebred Australian Shepherds, and also other AKC recognized breeds that compete at 12" jump height, of recognition, honors and monetary awards.

Respectfully, we the undersigned submit this letter of protest and petition to the American Kennel Club Board of Directors. We request that in the event the AKC's official investigation finds Blue Moon Shine on Willow ILP #90494 to be the offspring of two registered North American Shepherds, and therefore not eligible to compete in AKC Agility Trials, all AKC titles, awards and honors, including monetary prizes, be cancelled pursuant to the American Kennel Club Regulations for Agility Trials, Chapter 1 Section 26 "Cancellation of Awards".

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

submitted by Lynn Fremuth kalikynos@comcast.net
Kalikynos Australian Shepherds since 1993

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