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AKC BOARD HIGHLIGHTS & REPORT

The American Kennel Club

 

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT April 2009

-- Responsible Breeders Part of a Long Tradition of Presidential Pets  --


 Courtesy American Kennel ClubAmerica finally got their first peek at the Obama family settling in with their new AKC-Registered Portuguese Water Dog, Amigo's New Hope, affectionately known as "Bo." Since the first mention of a potential "first" dog many months ago, the Obamas have taken the time to research the right breed for their family, to learn how to be responsible dog owners and to obtain a dog through a reputable breeder who is a member of the AKC parent club, The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America.

So far, the Obama family is setting a wonderful example for the American public. But Bo's path to the White House also perfectly illustrates the actions of reputable breeders. Art and Martha Stern of Boyd, Texas have represented breeders well throughout the blitz of media coverage. They have reported that Bo spent a few months in another DC area home where the older PWD did not appreciate his presence. Thus the Sterns welcomed the pup back to their kennel and rehomed the literal "lucky dog" with the Obamas. Martha Stern told the PetConnection.com blog "...the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, that we belong to, requires that their breeders take back their dogs if for any reason, any reason at all, the people can't care for the dog. That's what responsible breeders do, always."

Well said, Martha. But now that Bo has finally arrived, the public can still learn a lot more about responsible dog ownership from the Obamas' experience. They are not only a First Family but also first-time dog owners with the eyes of the world upon them and they need to prepare Bo for his high-profile life in Washington with plenty of training.

Many PWD experts predict that this lively dog will head straight for Michelle's organic vegetable garden for a snack or to the South Lawn fountain for some water games as he most likely won't be doing the breed's historical job of retrieving broken nets for fisherman, diving for fish and swimming messages between ships. As an athletic and energetic working breed, he will need vigorous exercise everyday, and like all puppies, training and socialization. A good start includes enrolling their new pup in AKC's S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. This new program is designed to get owners and their puppies off to a good start in life by teaching basic training skills and providing puppy-raising information.

After all, he has big paw prints to fill. He will be the latest in a long line of AKC-Registered presidential pets -- from the most recent White House residents Barney and Miss Beazley to FDR's Fala, all Scottish Terriers. Other AKC-Registered first dogs include Clinton's Chocolate Lab Buddy, Ford's Golden Retriever Liberty, Reagan's Bouvier Des Flanders Lucky, Bush's English Springer Spaniel Millie (and Millie's daughter Spot) as well as Nixon's Cocker Spaniel Checkers and Eisenhower's Weimaraner Heidi, among others.

The AKC wishes the Obamas and Bo the best of luck in their new life together at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. We'd be happy to host Sasha and Malia here at the AKC as they transfer Bo's papers into their name as his proud new owners and we look forward to welcoming the entire family into the wonderful world of pet ownership.

For continued coverage of the First Dog, please visit www.presidentialpup.com.

Sincerely,

 

Ron Menaker

Chairman
 

Highlights from the April 2009 Board Of Directors Meeting

  • The following Executive Officers were re-elected:
    • Dennis B. Sprung, President and Chief Executive Officer
    • John J. Lyons, Chief Operating Officer
    • James T. Stevens, Chief Financial Officer
    • James P. Crowley, Executive Secretary
  • The Board approved a listing service for mixed-breed dogs, effective October 1, 2009 and dogs enrolled in this listing service will be eligible to compete in separate classes at stand alone Obedience, Agility and Rally Events at the event-giving club's discretion, effective April 1, 2010 (not with an All-Breed, Group or Specialty Show).
  • The Bluetick Coonhound is eligible for AKC registration on December 2, 2009 and eligible to compete in the Hound Group at all shows held on and after December 30, 2009. There will be an Open Registry for the breed until January 1, 2015.
  • The American English Coonhound is eligible to compete in the Miscellaneous Class effective for all shows held on and after January 1, 2010.
  • The Boykin Spaniel is eligible for AKC registration on December 2, 2009, and eligible to compete in the Sporting Group at all shows held on and after December 30, 2009. There will be an Open Registry for the breed until January 1, 2015.
  • The Stud Book for the Black and Tan Coonhound will be opened for a three-year period from June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2012. All dogs that meet the requirements and are registered through this program, as well as all subsequent generations of their offspring will receive an HX registration prefix.
  • The Board adopted a policy which recognizes that the unauthorized use of any AKC club's funds or assets is conduct prejudicial to the best interests of AKC, purebred dogs, and the Sport of Purebred Dogs. As part of the policy, criteria and discipline guidelines were included. This is covered in the minutes of the meeting.
  • At the request of the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America, the kennel names "Soho" (Lynn P. and Harry Clark) and "Carry-On" (Louise Shattuck) were permanently retired for English Cocker Spaniels.
  • There were two modifications to Board Policy regarding show-approvals as follows:
    • Clubs in isolated areas, with no AKC club within 75 miles (it was formerly 100 miles) may hold up to four shows in a calendar year.
    • Clubs may hold events up to 125 miles (formerly 100 miles) from its territory, but are subject to host club approval if within another club's territory.
  • The following Delegates were approved:
    • Robert L. Brown, Columbia, MO, to represent Columbia Missouri Kennel Club
    • Beverly A. Drake, Glen Arm, MD, to represent Catonsville Kennel Club
    • Mary M. MacCollum, Stillwater, NY, to represent Albany Kennel Club
    • Charles M. Paris, Reading PA, to represent Pocono Beagle Club
    • Barbara A. Penny, Ambler PA, to represent English Cocker Spaniel Club of America
    • Katherine B. Simonds, Morrisville, VT, to represent Sagehens Retriever Club
    • Suzanne Leigh Tolleson, Center Conway, NH, to represent Parson Russell Terrier Association of America
    • Margaret R, Witwer, Greeley, CO, to represent Puli Club of America

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