Page 39 - Chow LIfe - Spring 2020

AKC Delegate

Report

December 2019 by Margaret DiCorleto, Delegate

I attended the quarterly meeting of the American same level of recognition as other groups.
Kennel Club (AKC) held in Orlando, Florida De-
cember 12 and 13, 2019. The new “at risk” subcommittee is developing a
short survey which will go out to all AKC affiliated
Highlights of the Parent Club Committee: clubs in the new year asking for information about
if and how clubs help club or community members
From AKC Government Relations (GR): The im- who are having problems adequately caring for their
porting of unhealthy dogs likely headed for “retail dogs. At the March meeting there will be informa-
rescue” is a growing problem with nearly 1 million tion about how an individual can prepare for a situ-
dogs brought in every year. Attempts are being made ation in which he/she could not care for their dogs
to improve and enforce health requirements for because of accident or illness or some other reason.
dogs brought to the US from foreign countries. AKC
condemns the misrepresentation of dogs as service At the general meeting, President Dennis Sprung
dogs. The GR department is working with various announced that 2020 will be designated as the Year
agencies to develop verifiable credentials for service of the Breeder. AKC will encourage entry in the Bred
dog teams. Sheila Goffe is serving on an advisory by Exhibitor classes and give a certificate for a free
committee at Delta Airlines on the issue of dog flight litter registration for Best Bred by Exhibitor in Show.
restrictions. Delta is working on a prototype airline This will be a Special Attraction and as such will
crate that would be indestructible and contain moni- require approval from AKC.
tors for location and temperature.
There is a new AKC Educational Program for kids
The Veterinary Outreach and Lunch and Learn called AKC Math Agility, a mobile app launched in
Programs are having a positive impact on vet stu- December 2019 for kids 5-8. It’s a fun game offer-
dents. If anyone is near a veterinary college or vet ing 15 breeds doing agility and promoting basic
tech school, they can contact Mari-Beth O’Neill math skills. It’s available in the iOS App Store and on
(maribeth.oneill@akc.org) to learn more about the Google Play for $2.99. Learn more at www.akc.org/
program or to arrange an event. This is an excellent mathagilityapp.
way for vet students to learn more about breeders
and the sport. There is a new PupPals Program which sends letters
from a dog to children who are having life problems,
There is a need for Breeder Mentors and Breeder such as illness or death in the family, and need up-
Education. Many breeds are facing significant de- lifting. It’s for children of any age but generally 2-15
cline in numbers and there is an overall decline in years of age. AKC is looking for photos and informa-
the number of individuals breeding litters. A sur- tion about dogs that can be shared with children in
vey was sent to breeders and those who responded a letter. There’s a simple form to fill out and infor-
were typically older, white females concerned about mation about both dog and child is confidential.
improving their breed. Casual breeders tended to be Canine participants get a certificate and a bandana.
younger and less experienced. Nearly three quarters Go to www.akc.org/publiceducation/akc-puppals-
of those responding have 2 or fewer litters a year. program/ for details.
There was preliminary discussion of an AKC Semen The discussion of amending dog show rules related
Bank. A major concern is what happens if stored to dogs that attack or present a hazard to people or
semen is abandoned for any reason. The storage other dogs at a show is ongoing. A vote on a pro-
facility owns it but cannot use it. A possible solution posed rule amendment related to this issue was
would be to transfer ownership to a Parent Club. The withdrawn for further discussion.
AKC Board will discuss this in January.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to
Highlights of the All-Breed Clubs Committee: Ronald Menaker (conformation), Dr. Charles “Bud”
Kramer (posthumous, companion events), and Lynn
There was discussion of proposed Levels of Achieve- Worth Smith (performance).
ment for the National Owner-Handled Series. Based
on a point scale, levels would be Bronze, Silver, Gold, The next quarterly meeting will be in Newark,
and Platinum. Eligible dogs would be grandfathered March 9-10, 2020.
in back to the beginning of the NOHS program. It
was urged that NOHS should be treated with the
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