Across The Board
Direct From The Major Registries

The American Kennel Club CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

April 2007 - The Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) reaches out to the public in a compelling way like no other AKC awards program. It's about more than great dogs and dedicated people, it's about their relationship with each other. And it's more than an award, it's a celebration of that extraordinary canine-human bond that exists between no other species. Selecting an honoree from numerous nominees in each of the five categories (law enforcement, search and rescue, therapy, service, and companion dog) is a challenge. Each story is about how a dog dramatically changed a person's life forever — whether a law enforcement K-9 saving a partner's life or a therapy dog bringing a smile to a sick child in the hospital. Winners of this prestigious award, now in its 7th year, receive an all-expenses-paid trip for dog and owner, to be honored with an engraved sterling silver collar medallion at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, CA in December 2007. I can tell you that when these stories are recounted, there is not a dry eye in the house, whether watching the vignettes at home on television or seeing them live at the show. Each honoree also receives a plaque awarded at an AKC event near their hometown. It's big news when the AKC comes to recognize a local resident with an ACE. Such presentations are routinely covered in the media since they represent acts, in many instances, that portray real life canine heroism whether saving a life to improving the quality of someone's life. AKC also shares these stories in "The ACE Files" for all our readers in each issue of AKC Family Dog. Each of the five honorees receives a cash award of $1,000 and their names are added to the ACE Awards plaque that is on permanent display in the AKC Library in New York City. Where appropriate, honorable mention dogs are also selected in each category and these dogs receive an engraved bronze medallion. Winners and honorable mention dogs are posted on the AKC web site. You don't have to be an expert in dogs to appreciate these heart warming stories of heroic, brave, tender, or happy dogs and their owners. We all may know of a canine deserving of this special honor. I invite you to nominate a dog for the 2007 ACE awards by June 30. To qualify as a nominee, the dog is required to be AKC registered or registerable, and have performed some exemplary act, whether large or seemingly small, that has significantly benefited a community or individual. For more info go to: http://www.akc.org/news/ace/index.cfm. Sincerely,   Ron Menaker Chairman

Highlights from the April 2007

meeting of the AKC Board of Directors

* The following Executive Officers were re-elected for 2007-2008:
          Dennis B. Sprung – President & Chief Exec. Officer
          John Lyons – Chief Operating Officer
          James P. Crowley – Executive Secretary
          James T. Stevens – Chief Financial Officer

* The Board approved amendments to the eligibility requirements for the American Brittany Club’s National Open All-Age, Amateur All-Age, Open Gun Dog, and Amateur Gun Dog Championship Stakes, so that Brittanys which have placed in any All-Age or Gun Dog hour or more stake in which the following dogs started: 1st place with 13 starters, 2nd place with 15 starters, 3rd place with 17 starters, or 4th place with 20 starters.
 

* The kennel name “Zodiac” (George Schreiber) was retired for Bull Terriers, at the request of the Bull Terrier Club of America.
 

* The Entlebucher Mountain Dog was approved to compete in AKC Herding Events for suffix titles effective June 27, 2007.

* The Board approved the membership applications of the National Shiba Club of America and the Sawnee Mountain Kennel Club of Georgia. Both will be voted on at the June 2007 Delegate meeting.

       We welcome the expected Board 2007-08.  Keep up the good work, especially the long overdue TV and press coverage.  And thanks to Pedigree for using a cute purebred to promote dogs and dog food.  Where are the AKC adverts???

    Congratulations to the Entlebucher on setting a speed record moving through the "gates."

    Indeed, the Zodiac name, while not as well known as some in the breed, will be missed.

Across The Board Index

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