HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NOVEMBER 9 & 10TH, 2009 MEETING

New York, NY - Highlights from the November 2009 meeting of the AKC  Board of Directors are as follows:

* As recommended by the Realignment Committee, the Board voted that when the Group Realignment proposal is brought back the Delegates for a vote in March 2010, it will recommend that it be postponed indefinitely.

* Effective December 31, 2009, at the end of a three year trial period, the Board voted to discontinue the Working Dog Sport.  Moving forward the AKC will record Working Dog titles earned in events held by existing organizations, if requested by a breed Parent Club.  The organization must be approved by the AKC Performance Events Department.
Titles to be recorded require Board approval. The recording of the title on an AKC pedigree will be done at the request of the dog's owner for a fee set by AKC.  In addition, AKC clubs will be permitted to invite the other organization to hold its Working Dog event in conjunction with the AKC club's AKC event, as long as it is clear in the publicity that the former is being held under the auspices of another organization.  

* The Kennel Association of Macedonia was added to the list of organizations with pedigrees acceptable for AKC registration.

* At the request of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America, the kennel name "Huntabird" (Patti Keller) was permanently retired for German Shorthaired Pointers.

* The requirements for registering a litter resulting from artificial insemination using fresh extended semen were modified, removing the requirement that the extraction be done by a veterinarian.

* The Chinook will be eligible to compete in the Miscellaneous Class at shows held on or after June 30, 2010.

* The Board adopted the following penalties that may be imposed should an exhibitor misuse a tracking device while competing in a Pointing Breed Field Event:

IV. Violation of AKC Rules/Regulation (Event Suspension) Mitigated Standard Aggravated
l. Misuse of a tracking device in connection with a Field Event 6mo/$500 1 yr/$1000 2 yr/$2500
* Chapter 7, Section 12, of the Rules Applying to Dog Shows was interpreted to permit judging programs to be sent via email at the exhibitors request.

* Effective March 1, 2010, dogs competing in Earthdog Events will be able to earn an Earthdog Endurance Title (EE). It would be awarded when a dog, on five occasions, passes both the Senior and Master Test at the same event.

The following Delegates were approved:

* Ricky Blackman, Franklin, WI, to represent Southeast Arkansas Kennel Club

 

* Mary Anne Brocious, Milford, MI, to represent Ann Arbor Kennel Club

 

* Dr. Sam F. Burke, Jr., Shreveport, LA, to represent Doberman Pinscher Club of America

 

* Joellen Gregory, DVM, Jefferson, MD, to represent Otterhound Club of America

 

* Sharyn Hutchens, Lexington, VA, to represent Shenandoah Valley Kennel Club

 

* Kimberle Schiff, Port Jeris, to represent German Pinscher Club of America

 

* Diane Wagner, Boca Raton, FL, to represent Boca Raton Dog Club

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The American Kennel Club proudly celebrates its 125th Anniversary in 2009. Since 1884 the not-for-profit organization has maintained the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of
purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and
member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes
responsible dog ownership. More than 20,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit www.akc.org.

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