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Direct From The Major Registries
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The American Kennel Club
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
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April
2008 -
Many of you have seen AKC's licensing program come to life via
toys, treats and other canine products sold at more than 5,000
stores nationwide such as Wal-Mart, Target, Petco and Petsmart. Our
program began in 2004 with six licensees and has now grown to over
30, offering unique, high quality products that address the varying
needs of dog owners with everything from outdoor kennel runs to
puppy training pads.
By far, our most popular products are the plush dog toy collection
from JAKKS Pets Inc., one of the top five U.S. leaders in toys and
leisure products. JAKKS has introduced numerous AKC-licensed lines,
including the recent Green Planet series that uses recycled
materials and offers the most life-like representation of the
natural world from otters to owls to lemmings. As of February 2008
more than 8 million units of AKC-licensed toys, treats, apparel and
beds manufactured by JAKKS have been sold since 2004. In addition,
AKC licensed toys and treats from JAKKS were amongst the first pet
products introduced to Toys R Us stores earlier this year.
Beyond these popular staples, many licensees are coming up with very
innovative ways to promote the AKC brand. Recently we were very
proud to have an AKC licensee, The Meisner Gallery, featured on The
Martha Stewart Show. As part of the live segment, canine art expert
William Secord discussed the AKC's extensive collection and offered
information about www.AKCGallery.com, a site that allows canine art
lovers to select their favorite pieces from the AKC's collection
that they can enjoy in their own homes.
Meisner is the exclusive publisher of these limited edition
reproductions of works by renowned artists such as Maud Earl and
Arthur Wardle. As Secord pointed out, each piece is made to order
and hand-embellished with colored glazes replicating the artist's
brushstrokes. The canvases are stretched and framed by hand and each
painting reproduction comes with a certificate of authenticity. As
an aficionado of canine art, I know how much joy it brings me to see
breeds that I admire portrayed in these historic works of art. I am
so pleased that through our licensing program we can offer dog
lovers everywhere the unique opportunity to own these limited
edition reproductions.
Whether you choose to own a Wardle, or just a stuffed dog toy from
the Green Planet collection, know that you are getting products that
are made with care and that support the AKC, and in turn, our dogs.
Sincerely,
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Highlights from the
April 2008 Board
Meeting
The following Executive
Officers were elected:
Dennis B. Sprung, President and CEO
John J. Lyons, Chief Operating Officer
James T. Stevens, Chief Financial Officer
James P. Crowley, Executive Secretary
The Board clarified its
interpretation of change in appearance in Chapter 11, Section 8 of
the Dog Show Rules to include drugs and other substances that could
have the effect of obscuring, disguising or eliminating any
undesirable characteristics.
The Foundation Stock
Service Guidelines were modified so that an FSS breed with at least
1,000 dogs enrolled may be considered for full recognition after six
months in FSS. All breeds would still remain in FSS for a minimum of
eighteen months.
The Kennel names "Surrey"
and "Kenobo" were permanently retired for English Cocker Spaniels at
the request of the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America.
The Rally Regulations
were modified to clarify that for team competitions "If jumps are
required, they will be set based on the height of the smallest dog
on each competing team."
Effective January 1,
2009, all Agility Trial Secretaries who administer more than nine
events in a calendar year will be subject to licensing.
The revisions to the Pug
breed standard, previously published in the AKC GAZETTE, are
approved, effective June 3, 2008.
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