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The American Kennel Club Chairman's Report

JANUARY 2011

AKC/Eukanuba National Championship - January 23 on ABC

For the first time in the 10-year history of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship the broadcast of this prestigious event will be seen nationwide on network television. We are pleased to partner with the ABC Television Network on this important milestone. All 167 AKC breeds will be showcased as they compete for top honors and $225,000 in prize money at the country’s only 100% invitational dog show. This year’s installment promises to be loaded with fun surprises as we unveil an invigorating new format to our televised audience.

Those of us in attendance in Long Beach, CA who watched Best in Show Judge Jean Fournier select the National Champion from more than 2,300 dogs enjoyed the suspense, the showmanship, and quality of all the entries. For those of you who didn’t catch the action live, be sure to watch the groups and BIS on Sunday afternoon, January 23. If you happen to be at a dog show that day, then don’t forget to set your DVR!

Another exciting enhancement to this year’s telecast is the addition of Todd Grisham, the lead broadcaster for World Wrestling Entertainment and Fox Soccer Channel’s MLS package. He will handle commentary duties along with AKC’s Assistant Vice President Gina DiNardo who is returning for her second year as dog show analyst.

We’re pleased to welcome Todd with his trademark humor and enthusiasm. He has proven himself very popular with mainstream sports fans, so we know the show’s commentary will be entertaining. As many of you know, DiNardo has had a life-long involvement with purebred dogs. She showed her first dog at age five and has more than 30 years experience in the sport of purebred dogs, primarily with Doberman Pinschers and also Great Danes, Bichon Frises, Boxers, Dachshunds, Beagles, Whippets, Smooth Fox Terriers, Parson Russell Terriers, Pugs, Norwich Terriers and Golden Retrievers.

The National Championship is our biggest public education opportunity with potentially millions of TV viewers watching. Dog lovers can enjoy their favorite breeds and potential dog owners can get a first glimpse of the wonderful world of purebred dogs. Watching or attending a dog show is one of the best places to start the search for a purebred dog. It’s the beginning of the journey to decide which breed is the best fit for a particular lifestyle.

In order to maximize this educational opportunity we have asked our Best of Breed winners to alert their local media. Cheering on hometown favorites and our own breeds is a fun activity that you can share with other dog lovers in your community. Watching the National Championship on ABC can become a community event with a little creativity. Perhaps a local library or community center would like to host a TV dog show party to watch the event. Your club’s Canine Ambassador can bring along a live dog, breed poster, and other materials to answer questions and join the fun! What better way to not only make a difference in your town but to help your club meet one of its educational eligibility requirements by hosting a TV dog show party.

Whether you watch from your couch with your dogs or with a group of neighbors or children, please join us. Besides the canine competitors, we will also highlight some of our other programs such as Breeder of the Year, the AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence winners, the top junior handlers in the nation and much more. You’ll be able to catch the show at 2 p.m. EST/PST and 1 p.m. CST. Visit www.akc.org/aenc for more information about the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.

Sincerely,

Click for more AKC / Eukanuba Information coverage:

AKC / Eukanuba CLASSIC 2006 Venue

AKC / Eukabuba Classic 2006 top winners

Pre-Judging the AKC / Eukanuba & Westminster Shows - 2014

AKC Board of Directors Meeting

(January 2011)
AKC no longer furnishes "highlights" but everyone likes a quick read so we present excerpts from the Secretary's Page

• Executive Session There was an Executive Session to discuss judging approval.

• GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Sheila Goffe, AKC Staff, participated in this portion of the meeting via video conference. Staff reported that in 2010 AKC’s Government Relations (GR) department monitored and responded to a vast increase in legislation, tracking over 1,200 bills, as compared to 875 in 2009 and over 600 in 2008. Throughout the year, AKC GR worked with state federations, local clubs, fanciers, professional breeders and also developed other key alliances such as sportsmen’s and  agricultural groups to help stem the tide of restrictive canine legislation.  Key legislative victories (several of which ended a two-year legislative battle) were achieved in California, North Carolina, Florida, New Hampshire, Ohio and Wisconsin.

• Discipline Guidelines There was a discussion on the Discipline Guidelines regarding the violation, “mistreatment of dogs in connection with an event.” This will be considered further at the February 2011 meeting.

• PENSION COMMITTEE Mr. Marden gave the report of the Pension Committee. He indicated that the plan is currently well funded. Based on recommendation by our investment advisor, AKC was changing  both the plan’s current asset allocation and methodology for choosing investment managers, using a liability driven investing approach.

• Revisions To Breed Standards The Board reviewed the results of the American Foxhound Club’s proposed revisions to its breed standard.  It was VOTED (unanimously) to approve the proposed American Foxhound Standard with an effective date of March 1, 2011.  Great Dane Club of America’s Breed Standard proposed revisions to the Forequarter and Color, Marking and Patterns. It was VOTED (unanimously) to approve the proposed Great Dane Standard with an effective date of March 1, 2011.   Havanese Club of America proposed revisions to the breed standard in accordance with the club’s Constitution and Bylaws. The club was to be asked to make one modification related to a  disqualification for pigmentation.  It was VOTED (unanimously) to permit.  Scottish Terrier Club of America revisions to the Size and Proportion, Substance and Color sections of the breed standard in accordance with the club’s Constitution and Bylaws. The Board did request a clarification with regards to color.  It was VOTED (unanimously) to permit.

• Amendment to Chapter 5, Section 1, of the Rules Applying to Dog Shows (line in): SECTION 1. All clubs or associations holding dog shows under the rules of The American Kennel Club, except sanctioned matches, shall use the following colors for their prize ribbons or rosettes, in the regular classes of The American Kennel Club
  First prize—Blue.
  Second prize—Red.
  Third prize—Yellow.
  Fourth prize—White.
  Winners—Purple.
  Reserve Winners—Purple and White.
  Best of Winners—Blue and White.
  Special prize—Dark Green.
  Best of Breed and Best of Variety of Breed—Purple and Gold.
  Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed/Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Variety of Breed—Red and White.
  Select—Light Blue and White
  The Regular Group classes shall use the following colors for their prize ribbons or rosettes:
  First Prize—Blue
  Second Prize—Red
  Third Prize—Yellow
  Fourth Prize—White
  Fifth Prize—Blue and Yellow
  Sixth Prize—Red and Yellow
  Fifth and sixth placements may only be awarded if there are 12 or more breeds/varieties in the group ring that day.
  Best in Show – Red, white, and blue is the traditional color combination but any color or combination of colors is permitted. 
  Reserve Best in Show – Yellow and White and shall use the following colors for their prize ribbons in all additional classes:
  First prize—Rose.
  Second prize—Brown.
  Third prize—Light Green.
  Fourth prize—Gray
  This amendment will be read at the March 2011 Delegate meeting for a vote in June.

• Treeing Walker Coonhound Following a motion by Mr. Ashby, seconded by Dr. Davies, it was VOTED, (unanimously) to accept the Treeing Walker Coonhound into the American Kennel Club Stud Book on December 1, 2011 and to allow the  Treeing Walker Coonhound to become eligible to compete in the Hound Group on January 1, 2012. AKC will maintain an open registry for the breed until January 1, 2020.

• Opening of the Toy Fox Terrier Studbook The Board considered a request from the American Toy Fox Terrier Club to open its studbook to expand its limited gene pool, to encourage new members for the club and participants in the sport, and to accommodate breeders who missed the initial deadline for AKC registration. This will be considered further at the February 2011 meeting.

• Danish-Swedish Farmdog The Board was advised that the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service committee recently approved a petition for the Danish-Swedish Farmdog to be accepted into the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock service program.

• Norrbottenspets – Participation in AKC Lure Coursing Events There was no objection to this request. The Norrbottenspet will be added to the list of breeds eligible to participate in Lure Coursing Test and Trials effective July 1, 2011

• The Board reviewed the Parent Clubss that the AKC staff is recommending to represent the following breeds: the Azawakh, the Belgian Laekenois and the Cirneco Dell’Etna. This will be discussed further at the February meeting.

• Conformation Clubs at Sanctioned Level Based on a request from the Board of Directors, Staff provided a list of all conformation all-breed and group clubs currently at the sanctioned level which are working towards becoming AKC Licensed clubs. Currently there are 33 all breed or group clubs at match level. A freeze has been placed on the licensing of any additional all breed or group clubs other than the 33 clubs currently at the B or A match level.

• MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS There was an update on the various initiatives and programs instituted to reduce the rate of decline in registrations. There was also an update on the Canine Partners program. To date, over 20,000 dogs have been enrolled.

• Companion Events Juniors’ National Competition Staff presented a plan to introduce a juniors only competition to be held in conjunction with the 2011 Agility Invitational and National Obedience Invitational competitions. The goal of these events is to recognize juniors’ participation in AKC Companion Event sports and promote future growth in Companion Events by younger competitors.  A second goal is to encourage experienced exhibitors and clubs to participate in mentoring young handlers. In the initial year, the two events will be open to all competitors.

• Deceased Judges; Mr. James A. Lester - Mr. George V. Rood - Mr. Robert E. Clyde - Ms. Denny Kodner - Mr. Norton Moore

• Emeritus Judges; Mrs. Grace Moran - Mrs. Robert C. (Carolyn) Thomas - Mr. Robert C. Thomas

• Resigned Judges; Mr. Daniel J. Shoemaker

• Reinstated Judges; Mrs. Delores Burkholder - Mrs. Patricia Cruz - Mrs. Anne Katona - Ms. Lee Whittier - Mrs. Jeanne Zalud

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