February 2006 - Across The Board, Chairman's Report and other AKC Board Motions and Business

The American Kennel Club

AKC CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Ed: Subject bolded for speed readers

February 2006

Every sport has a Code of Sportsmanship. Some are unwritten, informal guidelines that people learn along the way in their journey to learning a new sport. Others are more formal and rigorous, written out for all to see, appreciate and embrace.

The Board of Directors, as a result of the Chairman's Committee on Conflict of Interest, approved this month the first-ever written Code of Sportsmanship for our sport of purebred dogs. I have included the new code in its entirety:

AKC Code of Sportsmanship

PREFACE: The sport of purebred dog competitive events dates prior to 1884, the year of AKC's birth. Shared values of those involved in the sport include principles of sportsmanship. They are practiced in all sectors of our sport: conformation, performance and companion. Many believe that these principles of sportsmanship are the prime reason why our sport has thrived for over one hundred years. With the belief that it is useful to periodically articulate the fundamentals of our sport, this code is presented.

Sportsmen respect the history, traditions and integrity of the sport of purebred dogs.
Sportsmen commit themselves to values of fair play, honesty, courtesy, and vigorous competition, as well as winning and losing with grace.
Sportsmen refuse to compromise their commitment and obligation to the sport of purebred dogs by injecting personal advantage or consideration into their decisions or behavior.
The sportsman judge judges only on the merits of the dogs and considers no other factors.
The sportsman judge or exhibitor accepts constructive criticism.
The sportsman exhibitor declines to enter or exhibit under a judge where it might reasonably appear that the judge's placements could be based on something other than the merits of the dogs.
The sportsman exhibitor refuses to compromise the impartiality of a judge.
The sportsman respects the AKC bylaws, rules, regulations and policies governing the sport of purebred dogs.
Sportsmen find that vigorous competition and civility are not inconsistent and are able to appreciate the merit of their competition and the effort of competitors.
Sportsmen welcome, encourage and support newcomers to the sport.
Sportsmen will deal fairly with all those who trade with them.
Sportsmen are willing to share honest and open appraisals of both the strengths and weaknesses of their breeding stock.
Sportsmen spurn any opportunity to take personal advantage of positions offered or bestowed upon them.
Sportsmen always consider as paramount the welfare of their dog.
Sportsmen refuse to embarrass the sport, the American Kennel Club, or themselves while taking part in the sport.

I hope everyone in the fancy will take time to read and practice the new code and appreciate the value a Code of Sportsmanship adds to the experience of being a member of "the fancy." Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Ronald H. Menaker
Chairman

Lots of News!
CAR gets great donation, Visiting Judges Policy, ACE, etc. but the BIG NEWS that could be overlooked is the Surrogate Dam Approval and Buckskin Plotts!

At the end of January, AKC announced CAR’s Canine Support and Relief Fund received $100,000 donation from the estate of Beverly and Fred Taylor. Donations to the Fund are used for supplies, financial resources and other assistance to the canine victims of natural disasters throughout the U. S.

"The generosity of Beverly and Fred Taylor reaches far beyond the devastation of the hurricane. Their gift sends a message for all to know. People like the Taylor's are very special because they help pets in a time of need. They are unique and cherished friends of AKC CAR" said Dr. Carmen Battaglia, President and CEO of AKC's Companion Animal Recovery.

A devoted dog fancier for most of her life, Beverly Taylor owned and exhibited Borzois for the past two decades. She purchased all of her Borzois from Majenkir Borzois’ kennel founder and recent Hound Group Breeder of the Year winner, Karen Staudt-Cartabona.

Taylor’s three male Borzois were willed to Staudt-Cartabona, whose husband flew to Seattle to escort the dogs home. “I don’t think I have ever seen dogs as sad as these,” commented Staudt-Cartabona when asked about the state of Taylor’s dogs.

February 2006 was a busy time for the Board in spite of excitement and a million details connected with the famous Westminster show in the backyard. There has been much discussion regarding exceptions and bent rules for foreign (i.e. visiting) judges and this month, the Board took positive steps.

The Board approved a revised policy concerning visiting judges. The policy adopted at the July 2005 Board meeting was reaffirmed. However, the number of all-breed shows a visiting judge may do in a calendar year was raised from six to eight. The list of visiting judges that are exempt from the all-breed show limit was frozen as it existed in 1996 and there will be no additions to that list. Visiting judges who establish residences in the U.S. will only continue to be approved as a visiting judge for two years, after which they would be required to apply under the AKC system.

The Board adopted an AKC Code of Sportsmanship. It then moved on to set history and precedent by approving a request to use a Surrogate Dam to produce a litter using the eggs harvested from a now spayed Portuguese Water Dog. using dam of the same breed. It is characterized as a one-time approval and would be contingent upon AKC having DNA profiles from the sire, dam, surrogate dam, and all dogs in any litter produced by this procedure. Hard to see how, having allowed this implant to proceed and established rules, it could deny any other applicant. Fees were not disclosed but we can be sure, there will be fees.

The Board approved a procedure to accommodate the registration of Buckskin colored Plotts. Many hound enthusiasts are wondering what’s next. You will remember that the Black and Tan Coonhound was figuratively-speaking “cloned” when the Black and Tan Treeing Coonhound was invented from UKC registrations.

The following Delegates were approved:

Charles Arnold, Oakland Park, FL, to represent Fort Lauderdale Dog Club
Ann Cookson, Springfield, IL, to represent Illinois Capitol Kennel Club
Nancy M. Dandrea, Bonita, CA, to represent Silver Bay Kennel Club of San Diego
Dr. Suzanne H. Hampton, Ringwood, NJ, to represent Kennel Club of Northern New Jersey
David A. Helming, Flemington, NJ, to represent Hutchinson Kennel Club
Kenneth W. Mader, South Windsor, CT, to represent American Sealyham Terrier Club
Peter J. See, Somis, CA, to represent Welsh Terrier Club of America
Gloria H. Shaver, Fishersville, VA, to represent Skyline Kennel Club
Barbara Shaw, Denison, TX, to represent American Spaniel Club
Jane V. (Candye) Slay, Cary, NC, to represent Greater St. Louis Training Club
Trisha Weekley, Tryon, NC, to represent Spartanburg Kennel Club

In a prompt press release, AKC expressed concern over BSL after the Bull Terrier won WKC

The AKC congratulates "Rufus," the Colored Bull Terrier, for taking home the coveted Best in Show trophy and is confident that this win will help bring attention to the issue of breed-specific legislation (BSL) on dogs like Rufus.

“Rufus’ win will help us communicate to all dog owners about the ever-increasing threat of breed specific legislation,” says AKC’s VP of Communications Noreen Baxter. “Unfortunately when there is a dog-related incident in a community, many legislators think this is the answer. What they don’t realize is that BSL unfairly punishes responsible dog owners, is difficult to enforce and targets people who are not likely to obey the law in the first place or who will simply switch to a new breed.”

“We know it is imperative for communities to be safe but believe that a dog should be judged on its deed, not its breed. We want to see more well-enforced animal care and control laws that put responsibility for a dog's behavior at the right end of the leash – with the owner,” continued Baxter. “Rufus is a perfect example of why breed-stereotyping is ineffective and it’s unreasonable not to welcome this well-mannered canine in any community across the country.”

AKC seeks entries for the 7th ACE AWARDS

Is your canine the kind that always lifts your spirits when you’re feeling blue? Do you know a dog that helps the sick feel better? Heard of a pooch who played a role in a dramatic rescue? If so, what better way to pay tribute to a deserving dog than by nominating him for an American Kennel Club Award for Canine Excellence (AKC ACE)?

One award is given in the following five categories: Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service and Exemplary Companion Dog. Honorable Mentions will be reserved for exceptional entries in each category.

In addition to the prestige of being chosen from hundreds of entries, each of the five honorees receives a cash award of $1,000, an engraved sterling silver collar medallion and an all-expenses-paid trip for dog and owner to Long Beach, Calif., to be honored at the sixth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Anyone, including the dog owner or handler, may submit a nomination. Submissions for the American Kennel Club Awards for Canine Excellence for 2006 must include:

A non-returnable, original photograph of the dog.
A 500-word-or-less description of how the dog has demonstrated excellence.
Dog’s call name, registered name if applicable, breed, age and sex.
Owner/Nominator name(s), address, phone number. E-mail address if available.

*Please note that to be considered, dogs must be AKC registered or registrable.

Nominations will be accepted until June 15, 2006 and should be sent to:

Ronald N. Rella: ACE Awards 2006
The American Kennel Club
260 Madison Avenue, 4^th Floor
New York, New York 10016