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AKC REPORT, COMMENT & HIGHLIGHTS

The American Kennel Club

 

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT June 2010


--  AKC Adds New Titles in Conformation, Companion and Performance Events  --


Since the start of the year, each event type – conformation, companion and performance – now offers its exhibitors a brand new AKC title. The conformation and performance titles will appeal to the long-time exhibitor while the companion title will help bring along the novice handler or inexperienced dog.

Last month, Conformation added the Grand Champion title. Judges now have the opportunity of awarding Grand Championship points to their Best of Breed and Best of Opposite winners as well as to additional AKC Champions with the Select Dog and Select Bitch award. We believe this title gives breeders and owners a new way to showcase the quality of their breeding stock to judges and other breeders and exhibitors alike. We encourage you to take advantage of the enhanced conformation title.

We are proud to announce that we already have the first AKC Grand Champion in history – a 4-year old Weimaraner named GCH Monterra’s Best Bet, MH – who finished his title in six consecutive shows. As an additional recognition for dogs that complete their Grand Champion title, they will also receive an invitation to the AKC / Eukanuba National Championship.

Starting this summer, Companion events will offer a new Beginner Novice obedience title. This title is an excellent competitive event for both the novice handler and dog. Most exercises, a blend from Rally and Companion Dog, are completed on-leash.

In the Performance area, Earthdog competitors now have the opportunity to earn a new title – the Endurance Earthdog – the first addition since the program’s inception in 1993. This EE title provides a new challenge for dogs that have earned their Master Earthdog title by requiring them to earn five double qualifications in master and senior. A Border Terrier named “Rosemary” recently earned the first ever EE title.

As you know, Parent Clubs also have a variety of breed specific sports and events. The Board recently approved a program to allow the recording of parent club performance event titles if AKC does not provide a test for these breed-specific skills. The Bloodhound Club of America is the first to apply for acknowledgment of its titles with their “man-trailing event”. If your parent club would like to participate in this new program please contact Performance Events AVP Doug Ljungren at DVL@akc.org.

As you can see, it’s an exciting time for AKC exhibitors. Whether you want to compete further, add more titles or participate in parent club events, we hope these new AKC titles will inspire you to reach higher goals, remain longer on the competitive trail, and provide you with more ways to bond with your dog.

Sincerely,

Ron Menaker

Chairman

 

 

AKC Board Of Directors Meeting May 10 -11, 2010, Highlights and Comments
AKC no longer furnishes "highlights" but we thought it was a good idea so we present the following:

  • There was an EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss sensitive business matters. Nothing was reported
    out of Executive Session.

  • Computer Re-Engineering
    Charles Kneifel, AKC Staff, gave an update on the project to update the Competition
    Management Systems at the AKC.  His presentation gave an overview of the agile development process that will be used in this project. He also covered the extensive, planned use of open source software and how that software was chosen. This is part of  a long term project to improve service and reduce costs for AKC, its clubs and exhibitors. Further updates will be presented to the board in July..

  • AKC Canine Partners Program
    Doug Ljungren, Penny Leigh, and Barb Ohmann AKC staff, participated in this portion of the meeting via video conference. Staff provided a status report on the Canine Partners program. In the first two weekends when Canine Partners were permitted to compete there were a total of 147 AKC Companion Events where they were eligible to enter. There was a total of 1,110 mixed-breed entries. More than 2,000 events have already been approved in which mixed breeds are welcome to participate.

  • FINANCIAL REPORT
    James Stevens, AKC Staff, participated in this portion of the meeting.  Total revenues of $4.6 million in the month of April 2010 were 5% lower than the prior year. Total monthly operating expenses of $4.8 million were 1% below 2009. This resulted in an operating deficit of $192,000 for the month. A strong performance of the stock market during the month produced an investment gain of $1.5 million. This trailed the gain of $1.7 million in April of last year..

  • Board Planning Session
    The Board discussed an agenda for a planning session that is to be held in August 2010. The
    subjects to be considered are:
    • Registration Trends and Implications.  • Clubs, Events, and Entries. • AKC Governance, e.g., review of New York State not-for-profit law, AKC Bylaws and the current structure and procedures to determine if they best meet the needs of the organization in the 21st Century. • Judging Approval: discussion of the current policy and procedures.

  • Breeds Eligible for Miscellaneous
    Following a motion by Dr. Davies, seconded by Mrs. Strand, the Board VOTED (unanimously, absent Mr. Marden) to approve the following breeds to advance to the Miscellaneous Class effective January 1, 2011; Argentine Dogo, Boerboel, Peruvian Inca Orchid, Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, Pumi, Sloughi, and Wirehaired Vizsla.

  • ARTICLE VII, Section 1 of Charter and Bylaws of The American Kennel Club, Inc.
    The Board reviewed a statement prepared by staff outlining the Board’s rationale for eliminating term limits. This information is attached to these minutes and will be sent to the Delegate Body for its consideration with the proposed Bylaw Amendment.

  • Opening Dalmatian Stud Book
    The Board discussed the issue of the possible registration of descendents of a Dalmatian/Pointer Cross. This matter will continue to be discussed at future meetings and further information will be sought from the Dalmatian Club of America.

  • FSS Guidelines
    The Staff presented the final version of the revised AKC Foundation Stock Guidelines as approved at the February 2010 meeting. These guidelines have been posted on the AKC website.

  • FSS Enrollment Figures
    Staff presented a history of the number of FSS dogs and litters enrolled in 2009.  During 2009 AKC enrolled 4,968 dogs and 1,039 litters.

  • Acceptance into the FSS Program Drentsche Patrijshond & German Longhaired Pointer
    The Staff advised the Board that the Foundation Stock Service (FSS) Committee recently approved a petition for the Drentsche Patrijshond & German Longhaired Pointer to be accepted into the FSS program.

  • CONFORMATION
    American Foxhound Breed Standard
    There was a motion by Dr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Goodman, and it was VOTED (unanimously; absent Mr. Marden) to allow the American Foxhound Club, Inc. to ballot its membership on proposed revisions to the Height section of the breed standard in accordance with the club’s Constitution and Bylaws.

  • Breed Standard Revisions; L?wchen & Tibetan Spaniel
    The Board VOTED to approve the changes to the Lowchen & Tibetan Spaniel breed standard which were approved by the members of their respective Clubs. The breed standard will be published as approved in the Secretary’s Page of the AKC Gazette with an effective date of July 28, 2010

  • Deaf Dogs Competing in Agility Events
    The Board discussed the possibility of permitting deaf dogs to compete in Agility Events.  This discussion will continue at the July 2010 meeting.

  • Conformation Judges Annual Fee
    In light of declining registration revenues and the commitment to maintain the preeminence of our Conformation Sport, the Board reviewed the sustainability of the financial subsidies AKC makes to support the events area annually. Fees assessed clubs and exhibitors had previously reduced the subsidy by almost 30% to approximately ten million dollars each year.  Approximately 2.3 million dollars of that subsidy relates to the Conformation Judging Operations area. The Board considered a staff proposal to institute an annual judges’ fee, which would be phased in over two years, to reduce this Judging Operations subsidy by 20% in 2011 and 30% in 2012, while preserving the same level of service to the Sport. As the AKC Bylaws prohibit Delegates from charging a judges’ fee, Delegate Conformation judges will not be required to pay this fee. Also, Junior Showmanship only judges would not pay a fee.  There was a motion by Mr. Kalter, seconded by Mr. Arnold, and it was VOTED (affirmative: Mr. Arnold, Mr. Ashby, Dr. Garvin, Mr. Goodman, Dr. Haines, Mr. Kalter, Mr. Menaker, Dr. Newman, Ms. Scully, Dr. Smith; Mrs. Strand; abstained; Dr. Davies, absent Mr. Marden) to approve the implementation of an annual fee for Conformation Judges effective January 1, 2011. The fee structure will be forwarded to all judges.

  • Judging Approval
    Following discussion, the Chairman reported that he was appointing a committee to review the current judging approval system to see if any improvements could be made. The committee members are: Dr. Robert Smith, Chair; Darrell Hayes; Dr. Thomas Davies; Robert Forsyth; Edd Bivin; Jim Corbett; James W. Smith; and Roz Kramer.

  • Deceased Judges:  Mr. William J. Bailey; Mr. Farnandeze “Wes” S. Cartwright; Mr. B. Nolan Dale; Mr. Alexander F. Draper; Mr. D. Roy Holloway; Mr. Dennis J. Kniola; Mr. Forrest W. McCoy; Mr. Thomas L. McPheron; Mr. Joseph Mecera; Mr. Robert J. Moore; Mrs. Rose H. Quigley; Lt. Col. Charles W. Ruppert; Mr. Robert M. VanWinkle; Mr. Richard F. Whalen; Mr. Darol L. White


 

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