AKC REPORT, COMMENT & HIGHLIGHTS

AKC Board Of Directors Meeting November, 2010

(December BOD not available due to Delegates Meeting)
AKC no longer furnishes "highlights" but everyone likes a quick read so we present excerpts from the Secretary's Page:

• Registration of Dalmatian/Pointer Backcross Descendants - The Board discussed the issue of whether or not to consider the registration of descendents of a Dalmatian Pointer cross. Among the material considered by the Board was information submitted by the Dalmatian Club of America, by the supporters of registering the low uric acid (LUC) dogs, and the report of the AKC Canine Health and Welfare Committee (the latter is attached to these minutes as Attachment A) This discussion was to be continued on the second day of the meeting.  Day 2 - The Board agreed to a proposed agreement, pending acceptance of the Dalmatian Club of America (DCA) Board, which would bring the matter to a vote by the DCA membership in June 2011. The AKC Board would consider this vote, along with other factors in reaching its final decision.

• Executive Session - None Listed at this meeting.

• AKC Canine Partners Program - The staff provided a status report - through the end of October 2010, 578 unique AKC Canine Partners dogs have earned 1,265 titles in companion events

• Imagining the Future of the AKC There was discussion and a consensus that AKC should consider the needs of the sport and the organization in the future. The Chairman appointed a Board/Staff committee to consider this subject and to report back to the Board in February 2011. The committee consists of Alan Kalter, Chair, Ronald Menaker, Dr. Thomas Davies, John Lyons, Mark Dunn, and Lisa Gonzalez.

• Article VII, Section 1 of AKC Bylaws - The Board reviewed a proposal from the Greater Collin Kennel Club to amend Article VII, Section 1 of the Charter and Bylaws of The America Kennel Club to preclude someone from being re-elected to the AKC Board of Directors for a full term of four years after they have served two consecutive terms. This will be discussed further at the January Board meeting.

• Treeing Walker Coonhound - The Board reviewed a petition from the Southeastern Treeing Walker Association (STWS). STWS seeks acceptance into the American Kennel Club Stud Book for the Treeing Walker Coonhound and requests that the Treeing Walker Coonhound become eligible to compete in the Hound Group. This will be discussed further at the January meeting.

• Appointment of PAC Board Members - There was a motion by Dr. Newman, seconded by Ms. Scully, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to reappoint Mr. Alan Kalter, Ms. Nina Schaefer and Ms. Gail LaBerge and to appoint David Helming to serve two-year terms on the AKC PAC Board. Dr. Newman also thanked Mrs. Strand for her service to the PAC Board.

• AKC Judges and Visiting Judges Annual Maintenance Fee - The Board discussed the possible adoption of an annual maintenance fee schedule for all Conformation, Obedience and Performance judges. No action was taken.

• Judges Temporary Referral Policy - The Board reviewed a staff proposed policy to permit AKC to place a hold on an AKC approved judge’s eligibility to judge or to accept assignments in abeyance on a temporary basis, pending the outcome of certain criminal charges. Following a motion by Dr. Smith, seconded by Dr. Newman, it was VOTED (unanimously) to approve a Judges’ Temporary Referral policy, effective January 1, 2011. The new policy follows:
  When an AKC-approved judge is charged by a government entity with cruelty, inhumane treatment of animals, or similar offense involving inhumane or cruel treatment of dogs, or charged by a government entity with any crime involving moral turpitude, especially as it concerns dog related activities, AKC may temporarily place the judge on referral, which would have the effect of temporarily holding the judge’s approval to judge or accept assignments in abeyance. The purpose of this procedure is to prevent the judge from judging or from accepting assignments to judge while the charges are pending. If and when the charges are resolved and AKC’s inquiry into the matter determines that no action will be taken by the AKC to cause a suspension of judging privileges, the temporary judging referral will be removed.

• Appeals Committee - Dr. Newman gave the report of the Appeals Committee (Dr. Newman, Mr. Arnold, Ms. Scully). The Committee denied Ms. Wild’s appeal. The decision was reported as follows:  The Board considered Ms. Mary Wild’s appeal of a suspension that was imposed because she violated the AKC’s Cruelty Convictions Policy. Specifically, the Appeals Committee considered that Ms. Wild was convicted of eight counts of animal abuse (knowingly failing to provide adequate care). As a result, the Committee determined that Ms. Wild’s conduct was prejudicial to the sport of purebred dogs and her suspension was properly imposed. The committee further considered the penalty which was imposed and concluded that it was appropriate. Ms. Wild was suspended for life, effective August 9, 2010 and a $3,000 fine was imposed.

• FSS Breeds to become Licensed to Hold Performance Events - Following a motion by Dr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Arnold, it was VOTED (affirmative: Dr. Davies, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Marden, Mr. Goodman, Mrs. Strand, Ms. Scully, Mr. Menaker, Mr. Kalter, Dr. Newman, Mr. Ashby, Dr. Garvin; opposed: Dr. Haines, Dr. Smith) to allow parent clubs of FSS breeds that are eligible to participate in a performance event to become licensed to hold those event types, effective December 1, 2010.

• Increase in Recording Fees for Herding, Earthdog and Lure Coursing - The Board discussed a Staff recommendation to raise the recording fee for the Herding, Earthdog and Lure Coursing sports from $3.00 to $3.50 per entry to make it consistent with other AKC events. These three sports were AKC approved during the period 1990 to 1992. The recording fee has been the same since inception. There was a motion by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Mrs. Strand, to consider the above at this meeting, waiving the usual prior notice requirement. This motion was VOTED and approved (unanimously).  There was a motion by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Ms. Scully, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to adopt this recommendation, effective for events held on and after March 1, 2011.

• Performance Event Application Fee Refunds - The Board discussed a Staff recommendation to discontinue the practice of refunding a club its AKC event application fee if its Performance event is cancelled. Following a motion by Dr. Garvin, seconded by Dr. Davies, it was VOTED (unanimously) to consider the matter at this meeting, waiving the usual prior notice requirements. Following a motion by Dr. Garvin, seconded by Mrs. Strand, it was VOTED (unanimously) to adopt this proposal.

• Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) – Recording of Parent Club Titles, The Board reviewed a request from the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) (NSDTRC-USA) to accept its Working Certificate Test as a Parent Club performance event in which AKC acknowledged titles can be earned. As there was no objection to this request, Staff will implement the requested action. AKC will record all three titles that are earned at the performance event; Working Certificate (WC), Working Certificate Intermediate (WCI) and Working Certificate Excellent (WCX).

• German Longhaired Pointer participation in AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Tests, The Board reviewed a request from the German Longhaired Pointer Club of North America to allow the German Longhaired Pointer to compete in AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Tests. Without objection the German Longhaired Pointer will be added to the list of breeds eligible to participate in Pointing Breed Hunting Tests effective July 1, 2011. There was no objection.

• Four to Six Month Puppy Competition - The Board reviewed the staff’s recommended proposal for the addition of a 4-6 month beginner puppy class to be held as a special attraction at All-Breed and Specialty conformation events. This will be tried at a number of clubs on a trial basis.

• Boston Terrier, The Board reviewed the results of the Boston Terrier Club of America’s ballot to its membership on proposed revisions to the Color section of its breed standard. They will be published in the Secretary’s page of the AKC Gazette.

• Additional Group Placements - The Board considered and discussed amendments to the Dog Show Rules to create a Reserve Best in Show Placement, and a Fifth and Sixth group placement at Group and All Breed Shows. No action was taken at this meeting.

• Parent Club for the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno - The Board discussed selecting the club that is to be the AKC Parent Club for the Portuguese Pedengo Pequeno. Following a motion by Dr. Newman, seconded by Ms. Scully, it was VOTED (affirmative: Dr. Newman, Ms. Scully, Dr. Haines, Mr. Menaker, Mrs. Strand, Dr. Garvin, Mr. Ashby, Mr. Kalter, Mr. Goodman, Mr. Arnold, Dr. Smith, Mr. Marden; opposed Dr. Davies) to designate the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno of America as the AKC Parent Club for the breed.

• Black Russian Terrier Club of America - The Board VOTED to approve the membership application. This will be voted on at the December 2010 Delegate Meeting.

• Finnish Lapphund - The Board approved a petition from the Finnish Lapphund Club of America to move the Finnish Lapphund into the American Kennel Club Stud Book on June 1, 2011. The Finnish Lapphund will be eligible to compete in the Herding Group on June 30, 2011. AKC will maintain an open registry for the breed until 2014.

• Breeds Eligible for Miscellaneous Class - The Board voted to advance the Azawakh and Belgian Laekenois to the Miscellaneous Class effective June 30, 2011.

• Parent Club for Miscellaneous Class Breeds The following clubs were approved to be the official AKC parent club to represent their respective breed as it moves into the Miscellaneous Class: The Dogo Argentino Club of America - Dogo Argentino, The Peruvian Inca Orchid Enthusiast Club - the Peruvian Inca Orchid.

• The Board discussed the concept of a special Owner Handler competition consisting of a series of events, allowing for a national and regional ranking. This will be discussed further at future meetings.

• Deceased Judges; Mr. Rufus C. Burleson - Mr. Martin H. Runge

• Reinstated Judge, The Judging eligibility of the following person has been reinstated; Ms. Karen Pratt

• Resigned Judges; Mrs. Trudy B. Mangels - Ms. Kathy L. Wilkins / Emeritus Judge; Mr. Robert H. Fine