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AKC BOARD HIGHLIGHTS & REPORT

The American Kennel Club

 

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT November 2009

--  New Canine Partners Program Welcomes Mixed-Breed Dogs into the World of AKC  --


 For the past 125 years, the American Kennel ClubŪ has been the only organized group of dog lovers providing millions of purebred dogs and their owners with engaging, lasting and just plain fun ways to celebrate the canine-human bond. AKC programs span the entire spectrum–from highly competitive events to basic training, from funding research that advances canine health to returning lost dogs home safely– the overall well-being of dogs is the theme that runs consistently throughout all our efforts.

Purebred enthusiasts, by sharing their love of dogs with each other, have sprouted thousands of dog clubs throughout the country. These club members, a dedicated group of volunteers who rally around common goals promoting responsible breeding and dog ownership are the rich soil that all AKC programs grow and thrive from.

Now, we are pleased to be able to extend many of the benefits of AKC affiliation to a whole new audience–mixed breed owners. These millions of dog lovers will now be able to do more with their pets by enjoying the excitement of canine competition and accessing a myriad of other AKC resources and services.

I hope you will join me in encouraging the mixed-breed dog owners that you know to visit www.akccaninepartners.org and enroll in AKC Canine Partners. For the $35 enrollment fee, owners will receive benefits including AKC CAR lifetime enrollment, a free AKC collar tag, and a one-year subscription to AKC Family Dog magazine. Come next spring they can participate in stand-alone Agility, Obedience and Rally events. By providing these services to dog owners we can help educate them about living better lives with their dogs, and by including a certificate of recognition and decal with their enrollment, we can enable them to proudly display their association with an organization that stands for responsible dog ownership and canine welfare.

So far, the program is being enthusiastically embraced by the fancy with more than 300 AKC-affiliated clubs–Upper Snake Valley Dog Training Club, Inc. in Idaho being the first–having applied to include mixed-breed classes in an upcoming event. Equally encouraging are the more than 1,150 dogs that have already enrolled in just the first month of the program.

Please help us extend the welcome mat to our mixed-breed friends by encouraging enrollment in AKC Canine Partners and by adding mixed-breed classes to your club’s upcoming stand-alone companion events. The program will bring many like-minded people together– those who share our passion for dogs and our commitment to responsible dog ownership, those with the power and desire to contribute to their communities via locally-based clubs and those who embody the AKC mission of being a powerful voice that is "the dog’s champion" in every way.

Sincerely,

 

Ron Menaker

Chairman

 

 

Highlights from the November 2009 Board Of Directors Meeting

  • As recommended by the Realignment Committee, the Board voted that when the Group Realignment proposal is brought back the Delegates for a vote in March 2010, it will recommend that it be postponed indefinitely.

  • Effective December 31, 2009, at the end of a three year trial period, the Board voted to discontinue the Working Dog Sport. Moving forward the AKC will record Working Dog titles earned in events held by existing organizations, if requested by a breed Parent Club. The organization must be approved by the AKC Performance Events Department. Titles to be recorded require Board approval. The recording of the title on an AKC pedigree will be done at the request of the dog’s owner for a fee set by AKC. In addition, AKC clubs will be permitted to invite the other organization to hold its Working Dog event in conjunction with the AKC club’s AKC event, as long as it is clear in the publicity that the former is being held under the auspices of another organization.

  • The Kennel Association of Macedonia was added to the list of organizations with pedigrees acceptable for AKC registration.

  • At the request of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America, the kennel name “Huntabird” (Patti Keller) was permanently retired for German Shorthaired Pointers.

  • The requirements for registering a litter resulting from artificial insemination using fresh extended semen were modified, removing the requirement that the extraction be done by a veterinarian.

  • The Chinook will be eligible to compete in the Miscellaneous Class at shows held on or after June 30, 2010.

  • The Board adopted the following penalties that may be imposed should an exhibitor misuse a tracking device while competing in a Pointing BreedField Event:

IV. Violation of AKC Rules/Regulation (Event Suspension)
l. Misuse of a tracking device in connection with a Field Event

Mitigated

Standard

Aggravated

6mo/$500

1 yr/$1000

2 yr/$2500

  • Chapter 7, Section 12, of the Rules Applying to Dog Shows was interpreted to permit judging programs to be sent via email at the exhibitors request.

  • Effective March 1, 2010, dogs competing in Earthdog Events will be able to earn an Earthdog Endurance Title (EE). It would be awarded when a dog, on five occasions, passes both the Senior and Master Test at the same event.

The following Delegates were approved:

  • Ricky Blackman, Franklin, WI, to represent Southeast Arkansas Kennel Club

  • Mary Anne Brocious, Milford, MI, to represent Ann Arbor Kennel Club

  • Dr. Sam F. Burke, Jr., Shreveport, LA, to represent Doberman Pinscher Club of America

  • Joellen Gregory, DVM, Jefferson, MD, to represent Otterhound Club of America

  • Sharyn Hutchens, Lexington, VA, to represent Shenandoah Valley Kennel Club

  • Kimberle Schiff, Port Jeris, to represent German Pinscher Club of America

  • Diane Wagner, Boca Raton, FL, to represent Boca Raton Dog Club

 

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