AKC REPORT, COMMENT & HIGHLIGHTS

AKC Board Of Directors Meeting - November 2011

TheDogPress presents excerpts from the Secretary's Page and/or Board Minutes

• JUDGING OPERATIONS There was a discussion on the Judging Approval Procedure adopted by the Board at the October 2011 meeting, specifically with regard to the Judges Review Committee described on page three. Following a motion by Mr. Ashby, seconded by Dr. Smith, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Goodman) to change the composition of the Committee as follows: The Judges Review Committee as referenced within this policy is defined as a committee of five members to be comprised of the COO of the American Kennel Club, the Vice President of Dog Show Judges whom shall be Chair, one AKC Executive Field Representative appointed by the CEO for a two year term, with a four year limit, one Senior Judge (at least 20 years judging experience and having at least three groups), and one designated person both of whom will be recommended by the CEO and confirmed by the Board of Directors. The last two appointees shall not serve more than two terms and shall not be a member of AKC staff or Board of Directors and are subject to Board of Directors confirmation if recommended by the CEO for a second term.

• Signature Requirements of All Dam Owners on Litter Registrations Margaret Poindexter, AKC Staff, was present during this portion of the meeting. Charles Kneifel and David Roberts, AKC Staff, participated in this portion of the meeting via video conference. There was a discussion on possibly amending the current Board policy which requires the signature of all dam owners to register a litter. No action was taken at this time.

• Rules Applying to Dog Shows Chapter 1, Section 3 The Board VOTED to remove Chapter 1, Section 3, from the Rules Applying to Dog Shows, as the type of event it references is no longer relevant, i.e., a show restricted to puppies and dogs that have previously placed at a show. It also VOTED to renumber all subsequent  sections. This Rule change will be read at the December 2011 Delegate meeting for a vote at the March 2012

• Liaisons to Board Committees The Board considered a request from the Chairs of the Standing Delegate Committees to reinstate Staff liaisons, who would attend the Committee meetings. The request included an offer by the Committees to give up 25% of their $200 per meeting stipend for every Committee member to cover the cost of Staff travel. While continuing to provide Board liaisons to the committees, the additional AKC Staff liaisons were discontinued by the Board for both economic and productivity reasons. The latter was particularly critical because of the number of additional days this meeting attendance required senior Staff to be out of the office. Applicable Staff has always been and continues to be available to review any Committee proposals in advance of their meetings as necessary. There was no motion to reverse the previous Board decision.

• Group Realignment The Board discussed the Realignment Committee’s recommendations. They included rule changes to go from seven to eleven groups, and to name the various groups. The Committee also recommended how the groups should be populated, but that decision would rest with the Board. Following a motion by Mr. Amen, seconded by Dr. Smith, the Board voted (affirmative: Mr. Amen, Dr. Smith, Dr. Davies, Dr. Battaglia, Mr. Menaker, Dr. Newman, Mr. Ashby, Mr. Kalter, Ms. Scully; Mr. Arnold; opposed: Dr. Garvin; absent: Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Goodman) to accept the Committee’s recommendations and to approve the necessary rule changes. Staff was directed to prepare the necessary paperwork to forward this to the Delegates for a read and vote. This would include a detailed Q & A. If adopted by the Delegates, the effective dates would be no earlier than 2014, and could be as late as 2015.

• RALLY REGULATIONS - AKC RALLY INTRODUCTION

• Obedience Regulations - Jump Height Change The Board VOTED to approve the requests of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America, the Norwich Terrier Club of America and the American Shih Tzu Club, Inc., and approved the lowering of these breeds’ jump height requirement in AKC Obedience to three-quarters of the height of their breed at the withers. (A dog measured at 20 inches at the withers would jump a 16-inch high jump.) The new three-quarters jump height would still follow current regulations with jumps being set at the nearest 2 inches.

• Herding "Master" Titles The Board VOTED to amend AKC Herding Regulations, Chapter 1, Section 5, and Chapter IV, Sections 1 and Section 3, and to add a Master(M) designation to each of the current Herding Trial titles if a dog passes a class (level – course – stock) eight additional times after earning its initial title in that class and to allow clubs to hold up to 10 herding trials per calendar year (current limit is 8). New wording will be underlined.

• Technical Modifications to the Herding Regulations The Board VOTED to make two technical modifications to the Herding Regulations. The Board amended AKC Herding Regulations, Chapter VI, Section 2, to allow clubs the option to make the “drive” section of the course an isosceles triangle rather than an equilateral triangle. The Board amended AKC Herding Regulations, Chapter VI, Sections 3 and 4, to clarify when the handler can leash the dog at the completion of Course A.. new wording will be underlined.

• Beagle Grand Field Champion The Board VOTED to add a new Beagle Field Trial title called the Grand Field Champion (GFC). A dog must have previously been awarded a Field Champion title to earn the GFC title. To be recorded, a GFC a dog must win two first places and 90 points under the existing point system at AKC approved Brace and Gundog Federation Championship trials or the AKC National Beagle Championship Trial for Brace, Gundog Brace, Small Pack Option or Large Pack Beagles. This is a prefix title that would appear in addition to the Field Championship title. This will be read to the Delegates in December for a vote in March, 2012.

• Beagle Field Trial Technical Recommendations The Board VOTED to amend the Beagle Field Trial Standard Procedures to (1) Allow the judges, while in the field, to move up a dog that they have determined to be the Next Best Qualifier (NBQ) if one of the hounds that remain under judgment commits an action so faulty as to not warrant a placement. (2) Clarify that in traditional brace/trio trials, the hounds in the first series shall be laid on the line in the order drawn. These changes are effective January 1, 2012 New wording will be underlined.

• GWP Field Trial Water Test Requirements The Board VOTED to approve a request from the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America (GWPCA) to permit a “pass” by a German Wirehaired Pointer in a Pointing breed water test to count toward both the FC or AFC title regardless whether a professional or amateur handles the dog. This change is effective December 1, 2011. New wording will be underlined.

• Portuguese Podengo Pequenos Eligible to Participate in AKC Lure Coursing Events The Board VOTED to approve a request from the Portuguese Podengo Pequenos of America to allow the Portuguese Podengo Pequenos to be eligible to participate in AKC Lure Coursing events. The breed is not allowed to compete for Best in Field, due to its small size. Effective date is January 1, 2012. And Boxers Eligible to Participate in AKC Herding Events The Board VOTED to approve a request from the American Boxer Club to permit the breed to compete in AKC Herding events contingent upon the Parent Club or at least one local Boxer specialty club becoming licensed to hold Herding events. This will become effective January 1, 2012. And Braque du Bourbonnais Eligible to Participate in AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Tests The Board reviewed a request via Special Services from the President of the Braque du Bourbonnais Club of America requesting that Braque du Bourbonnais be allowed to enter AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Tests. Without objection the Braque Du Bourbonnais will be added to the list of breeds eligible to participate in Pointing Breed Hunting Tests effective January 1, 2012. There was no objection. And Flat-Coated & Curly-Coated Retrievers Eligible to Participate in Spaniel Hunting Tests Following a motion by Dr. Garvin, seconded by Dr. Davies, it was VOTED to (unanimously; absent Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Goodman), to approve a recommendation for the Curly- Coated Retriever and the Flat-Coated Retriever to permit the breeds to be eligible to enter the Spaniel Hunting Test program. Titles earned by these breeds in Spaniel Hunting Tests will be designated with an “U” (for Upland) to differentiate the title from those earned in Retriever Breed Hunting Tests (example: JHU). The proposal permits Specialty clubs from these breeds to apply to become licensed to hold Upland Hunting Tests one year following their eligibility to participate. This is effective January 1, 2012. And Boykin Spaniels Eligible for Retriever Hunting Tests Following a motion by Dr. Gavin, seconded by Dr. Davies, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Goodman), to permit the Boykin Spaniel to be eligible to participate in the  Retriever Hunting Test program, effective December 1, 2011. Titles earned by Boykin Spaniels in Retriever Hunting Tests will be designated with an “R” to differentiate the title from those earned in the Spaniel Hunting Test (example: JHR).

• Revisions to Hunting Test Regulations The Board VOTED to approve the following minor housecleaning changes to the Regulations for AKC Hunting Tests. Changes underlined.

• Allowing Judges to Use 4-Wheelers in Pointing Breed Hunting Tests The Board VOTED to approve changes to the Regulations for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds Chapter 3, Sections 4 & 6, to permit Pointing Breed Hunt Test Judges to Use 4-Wheelers. New wording will be underlined.

• Pointing Breed Hunting Tests "Advanced" Titles The Board VOTED to amend the Regulations for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds, Chapter 1, Section 3, to allow clubs be allowed to hold up to 6 events per year (current limit was 4). The Board VOTED to amend the Regulations for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds, Chapter 2, Sections 1, and create new sections 2A 3A and 4A to provide for additional advanced titles at all three levels. New wording will be underlined.

• Retriever Hunting Test Advisory Committee Recommendations The Board VOTED to approve six modifications to the Retriever Hunt Test Regulations. Effective January 1, 2012. New wording underlined.

• Proposed Komondor Breed Standard Revision Following a motion by Ms. Scully, seconded by Mr. Ashby, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Goodman) to permit the Komondor Club of America to ballot its membership on proposed revisions to the Bite section of the breed standard, in accordance with the club’s constitution and bylaws.

• Proposed Rottweiler Breed Standard Revision Following a motion by Dr. Battaglia, seconded by Dr. Davies, it was VOTED (unanimously) to permit the American Rottweiler Club to ballot its membership on proposed revisions to the Tail section of the breed standard, in accordance with the club’s constitution and bylaws.

• Imported Portuguese Water Dogs The Board reviewed a request from the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America to only permit Portuguese Water Dogs imported from Clube Portugues de Canicultura (CPC), to be accepted for AKC registration if the import pedigree shows at least five generations of complete LOP dogs (normal registration designation in CPC) with no RI (Initial registration in CPC) dogs in these five generations. Following a motion by Dr. Davies, seconded by Dr. Smith, it was VOTED (unanimously) absent Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Goodman to require three generations of LOP dogs with no RI dog in these three generations of the pedigree for Portuguese Water Dogs imported from Portugal (CPC).

• Basenji Stud Book Following a motion by Dr. Newman, seconded by Mr. Arnold, it was VOTED (unanimously) to extend the Open Registration for Basenjis imported from Africa, until December 31, 2018, with any dogs imported into the United States prior to December 31, 2018, eligible for registration until December 31, 2020.

• Proposal to Reduce Number of Delegate Meetings The Board reviewed a proposal, from the Delegate Advocacy and Advancement Committee, to reduce the number of Delegate meetings from four to three per year. The proposal suggests that two of these meetings be expanded from two days to three days in order to enable increased attendance at the various Delegate Committee meetings. This will be considered further in January.

• Hardship Policy The Management Disciplinary Committee requests a change to the Board’s Hardship policy to allow for the registration and/or transfer of dogs listed in the AKC recorded ownership of an individual who has been suspended from AKC privileges. The proposed change would allow dogs listed in the AKC recorded ownership of the suspended individual, at the time the suspension was imposed, to be registered and/or transferred provided an AKC DNA Profile for the dog is on file and all other registration requirements are met. The change would allow the AKC to retain the registration viability of a large number of dogs that are affected by registration suspensions without adversely affecting the accuracy of the registry. This will be discussed further at the January Board meeting.

• Conflict Distance/Moratorium Recommendations |Removing Limited Breed Clubs from Moratorium | Realignment of Point Schedule Divisions

• Points for Reserve at a National Specialty The Board considered a proposed amendment to Chapter 16, Section 1 of the Rules Applying to Dog Shows

• Rules Applying to Dog Shows Chapter 2, Section 3 Territory The Suffolk County Kennel Club proposed an amendment to the Rules Applying to Dog Shows Chapter 2, Section 3, in order to require clubs to hold events in their territory in order to maintain exclusive privilege in the territory. A second condition of the request would permit clubs to reclaim exclusive privilege after they hold shows within their territory following a prolonged absence. The amendment would read as follows: (go to AKC.org)

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