Across The Board
Direct From The Major Registries

The American Kennel Club AKC CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Ed: Subject bolded for speed readers

December 2005  – Purebred dogs are poetry in motion. We love to watch them play, sleep, and perform the tasks for which they were bred. Over the centuries man continues to capture this beauty in various art mediums.  If we should find ourselves without our companions we therefore have something to feast our eyes on to rekindle that canine-human connection in their absence. The American Kennel Club celebrates that bond by promoting the dog in art in many ways, from sharing our art collection with the public to publishing books on the subject. And, in the first two months of 2006, AKC has two events that not only help you further your interest in canine artwork but also let you give charitably to help all dogs in need. Recently, we named the winner of our third annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship commemorative art poster competition. Jody Whitsell of Monroe, New York captured this year’s contest’s theme “The Wonderful World of Purebred Dogs” in a stunning and vivid acrylic portrait “Red, White, and Blue…And Every Other Hue!” Her vibrant painting depicts one breed representing each of the seven groups of purebred dogs in front of a waving American flag. We are proud to produce a limited edition poster of Whitsell’s colorful work with proceeds from the sale going to Take the Lead. This not-for-profit foundation is dedicated to providing direct services, support and care for all qualified participants in the sport of dogs who suffer from the devastating realities of life-threatening or terminal illnesses. Another opportunity to surround yourselves with dogs in art and contribute to helping dogs is the inaugural “Barkfest at Bonhams” where all canine art lovers and their dogs are invited on Sunday, February 12 to Bonhams’ brand new Manhattan gallery at 595 Madison Avenue, at 57th Street, on the 6th floor, from 10 am to noon. This charity brunch gives fanciers an exclusive opportunity to experience Bonhams’ collection of dog art just before their auction on February 14. All proceeds of the Barkfest will benefit AKC's charitable public art program DOGNY – America's Tribute to Search and Rescue Dogs. So we encourage everyone to enjoy owning a modern, newly-created work of dog art with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship poster as well to enjoy the historic canine paintings at Bonhams. By nurturing your inner art connoisseur you will also support several funds that help dogs and fanciers in a multitude of ways. Sincerely,  Ron Menaker Chairman

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DECEMBER 2005 BOARD MEETING

 New York, NY – Highlights from the December 2005 meeting of the AKC^® Board of Directors are as follows:   

• The Dogue de Bordeaux was approved for competition in the Miscellaneous Class, effective July 1, 2006. 
•  The fee for Indefinite Listing Privilege is to be raised from $25 to $35, effective January 1, 2006. 
•  There were numerous amendments adopted to the Agility Regulations, including: the addition of a 26” Class and a new Preferred Class titling program, effective September 1, 2006; and a new Fifteen and Send Time (FAST) Class, effective January 1, 2007. The amendments are included in the December 2006 Board minutes. 
•  The Agility Match Regulations were amended to clarify the requirements for clubs wishing to hold Agility matches.
•  The following policies were adopted: 

Evening Specialties: Effective January 1, 2007, evening specialties of no more than fifty entries will be permitted following all-breed shows. Sweepstakes, special attractions or matches will not be approved in conjunction with evening events. 

 Same Day Specialty Shows: Effective January 1, 2007, two independent specialty shows of the same breed of no more than one hundred entries each, inclusive of sweepstakes, special attractions or matches, may be permitted at the same location on the same day.

The following Delegates were approved:  

• William H. Blair, Greenwich, CT, to represent Upper Suncoast Dog Training Club
•  Pedro A. Cofino, Esq., Miami Beach, FL, to represent Greater Miami Dog Club 
•  Paullet De Long, Castro Valley, CA, to represent Sun Maid Kennel Club of Fresno 
•  Barbara M. Dille, White Plains, NY, to represent Saw Mill River Kennel Club 
•  Kathy A. Donovan, Norwalk, CT, to represent Standard Schnauzer Club of America 
•  Claudia Frank, Greenfield, OH, to represent Border Collie Society of America 
•  Pat Jacobs, Tucson, AZ, to represent Tucson Kennel Club 
•  Nalena A. Klaas, King George, VA, to represent Greater Fredericksburg Kennel Club 
•  Paulann S. Phelan, West Bend, WI, to represent Kettle Moraine Kennel Club 
• Michele Ritter, Saylorsburg, PA, to represent Pocono Mountain Kennel Club 
• Linda C. Wozniak, Chapel Hill, NC, to represent Durham Kennel Club 

WILLIAM SPECK reappointed AVP OF PERFORMANCE EVENTS

Popular and long-time Retriever aficionado William Speck was reappointed to his former position as Assistant Vice President of Performance Events. Speck retired from AKC as AVP in 2003 but continued to serve as a consultant to the Performance Events Department.  

Like a good Retriever, Bill keeps coming back,” joked John Lyons, AKC’s Chief Operating Officer. ”We are fortunate to have Bill with us again on a full time basis --  the depth of his knowledge and expertise in the performance world is unique and his enthusiastic admiration for the sport will continue to be an invaluable asset.”    

Speck first joined the AKC as a Field Representative for Performance Events in 1993 and in 1997, he became Assistant Director, Performance Events and by that fall he was promoted to AVP.

 Notably, in November of 2004, The National Retriever Club (NRC) honored Speck for his more than 20 years of service with retrievers and retriever field trials at their annual meeting held in Montgomery, TX. The occasion marked the first time the NRC has presented the award.  In recognition, Speck received a bronzed duck statue by artist Chris Smith.

 JODY WHITSELL wins 3rd ANNUAL AKC/EUKANUBA National Championship Commemorative ART POSTER COMPETITION 

New York Artist to Sign Limited Edition Prints of “Red, White, and Blue… And Every Other Hue!”  Her winning acrylic portrait “Red, White, and Blue… And Every Other Hue!”  depicts one breed representing each group in front of a waving American flag.   Her design best captured the contest’s theme “The Wonderful World of Purebred Dogs”.     

Whitsell describes her work as fun and different, stating, “Dogs make us smile so the portraits should make us smile.” Whitsell will receive $1,000 and a four-day/three-night trip for two to the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Tampa, Florida January 14-15 (including airfare and hotel).  There is no mention of whether there was a contest, an adjudged show, or who selected her work.  It will be exciting to view her work in Florida!

There will be a limited edition of 500 copies of the poster and Whitsell will autograph her work during the show at the AKC booth.  The poster will also be sold on AKC’s website at www.akc.org.  Proceeds from the sale of the poster will benefit Take the Lead , a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to providing direct services, support and care for all qualified participants in the sport of dogs who suffer from the devastating realities of life-threatening or terminal illnesses.  “We have a responsibility not only to our dogs but to those individuals participating in our sport," said Show Chairman and AKC Chairman Ron Menaker. "We are delighted to donate this year’s poster proceeds to Take the Lead.”

The year’s international line-up of top dogs at the Fifth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will compete for $225,000 in cash prizes. In addition, the AKC National Agility Championship and the AKC National Obedience Invitational will once again join the National Championship at the same venue. The show will be simulcast live on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel on January 14 and 15, 2006 from 8 to 11 p.m. (EST) both nights.  Be sure to tune in if you are not there - each broadcast is more attuned to the experienced fancier and we trust this event will be the best of all.  "like being there!"

Send Your Comments and Club News to contact@thedogpress.com