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The Senior Conformation Judges Association
reminds all AKC Delegates that they have “sole power” over all
rules governing dog shows and...
November
2011 | Barbara J. Andrews,
Editor-In-Chief
 The
Delegates have sole power to make, change,
or implement rules for “dog shows and the clubs or
associations formed to conduct them.” In a letter to all
AKC Delegates, many of whom are AKC Judges, the SCJA says “You
as Delegate, represent your club, and collectively, the
Delegates have the responsibility for getting involved with the
proposal for the judges approval process set forth by the Smith
Committee Report."
With National elections just around the corner, we are reminded
of how our democratic system works. We expect our legislature
to represent us, even at the expense of their personal interests
or careers. It is no different in the dog game. If your Breed
or Kennel Club has an AKC Delegate, you have every right to
expect that person to represent members of the club.
How does representing your club affect the judge’s approval
process? Well for starters, if you show dogs or breed dogs to
be shown by others, you want a fair shake in the ring. That
means that your elected representative (delegate) must see to it
that rule and policy changes are made “by the people, for the
people” and not by the AKC Board. The AKC takes care of the
business of the (non-profit) corporation but a good
balance, as between the White House and the House of
Representatives, insures progress for the people, which in this
case, is The Dog Fancy.
The Delegates should have been forwarded the Smith Committee
Report for their approval. In fact, the Senior Conformation
Judges Association requested that an independent representative (targeted reference directly to that section of letter) from each of the national judges groups be made a member of
the AKC committee. This equitable request was not honored and
it appears that as of this date, the judges, the fancy, and even
a lot of the delegates have no idea what the new process is. If
that sounds like Nancy Pelosi, “you can read the bill after you
pass it”, we’re sorry but it’s true.
The SCJA reminded the board that any change
involving an increase in the number of approved Groups must be voted on by the Delegates. Again,
it’s that sole power thing that was made a foundational
part of the American Kennel Club Constitution and Bylaws. The
Letter to AKC
(Ref. #1)
from Lt. Col. Wallace H. Pede, the Chief Executive Officer of the SCJA,
explains in great detail the usurping of the Delegates power and
sadly, the willingness of some Judge-Delegates to give up that
power.
Is abdication of an AKC Delegate’s duty based on fear of the
AKC? We have talked to judges who admit that “to cross AKC
is to not be approved for additional breeds.” Yes, AKC is
as political as our government and many would say, just as
influenced by the quest for power and money. The American
Kennel Club is extremely wealthy, even though its registration
income has fallen. Is it the economy or the decline because
breeders across all levels have “had it” with the AKC
system? One multi-group judge characterized it is “nothing
more than a good ole boy’s club."
The Colonel’s letter doesn’t mince words. It even points out
that the AKC Board of Directors, which is always weighted with
AKC judges from the Chairman on down, delegated its long-held
responsibility for
judges approval to the AKC staff. A staff employed by the
Board. But it made it look better when some of the sitting
Board Members and/or their spouses, were promptly approved for
new breeds or Groups. Such is life. In Washington D.C. they
have another word for it, one which is frequently used in the
dog fancy.
If you have made it this far, wondering how else the new judge
approval system will affect you in the show ring, consider that
the first-ever Judges Training Match and subsequent Judges
Education Institute were funded and held by the Senior
Conformation Judges Association, which I believe, was the only
such group at that time. Decades later, the AKC decided to have
its own judges school which, while not mandatory, aspiring
judges were wise to attend. Now suddenly AKC has decreed that a
new applicant
must attend the AKC Institute.
Talk about coercion!
Here’s where it gets sticky. The judges associations rotate
judges who, as someone who has done breed seminars for many
different groups, I can attest are pretty impartial. I’ve been
on panels from Washington to Mississippi to Pennsylvania and
they were all well balanced. Will that be the case with the AKC
Judging Institute? It remains to be seen but if the educators
are biased towards your competitors’ “type” then who will you
complain to?
Just thought I’d mention it. We have published the SCJA letter
to AKC because we knew you’d be interested in who and how your
dogs are judged. Read it, think about it, and if you dare to
comment (knowing AKC reads each edition of TheDogPress) we’d
love to hear from you. We always respect your privacy and
protect our sources if requested to do so.
Reference:
Ref
1.
SCJA Letter to AKC
Barbara J. Andrews, Editor-In-Chief
http://www.thedogpress.com/editorials/1111-AKC-Judge-Approval_Andrews.asp
#1111
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