PCOTC AKC Delegate Report
1st Quarter 3/2022
General Delegate’s Meeting
The Portguese Podengo Pequenos of America has been duly elected as a member of the AKC.
Of late there has been some discussion about the number of AKC clubs and a perception that we are losing some of them. As a result, we have furnished the following information for the five year period 2017 – 2021.
Hunt Tests have 10 new clubs with none dissolving; in Herding an addition of 11 compared to 1 leaving. Lure Coursing is plus 7, Coonhound plus 13 and Scent Work gained 36 clubs; none had a loss. There were no changes in Earth Dog. Last but certainly not least we have 51 new Field Trial clubs compared to 2 dissolving.
Moving over to the important disciplines of Companion: Rally had no changes. Obedience brought in 3 clubs against minus one. Tracking gained 2 and Agility increased by 11, both without having a loss.
Next is the Conformation universe: Group Clubs added 8; none left. All Breed gained 7 versus minus 6. Parent Clubs were plus 12 and a loss of 1. Specialty clubs increased by 65 with a minus 28, resulting in plus 37.
In summary, over the past five years 236 clubs were recognized versus 39 dissolving, a net gain of 197 clubs. The current total number of clubs stands at 4,992. There are 645 member clubs, licensed clubs are 4,166. We have 95 at Sanctioned A and 86 at Sanctioned B. Relating to clubs elevated to member status covering the same five-year span: These include 11 Parent Clubs, 9 All-Breed, 2 Obedience and 1 Group club resulting in plus 23 compared to 4 fewer over the identical time period.
According to our records, the reasons for clubs disbanding are the following:
1. Aging out
2. Lack of membership and/or new members
3. The loss of convenient suitable and available sites in the area, or general loss of interest in the Sport by club members over time.
Disbanding due to unstable finances is extremely rare and our records do not reflect that this is the case. More frequently, clubs inquire as to where club funds may be donated when dissolving in accordance with their bylaws.
Financial Highlights
Financials for the full year 2021
Litter registrations 325,390 Increase of 12.7% over 2020
Dog registrations 801,985 Increase of 13.7% over 2020
Dog and litter registrations exceeded 80% of all registrations
Event totals 22,411 81% increase over prior year
Entrees 3.2MM 73% increase over prior year
The number of events held was the 2nd highest in AKC history. We can attribute this wonderful news to the lifting of covid prohibitions put in place in 2020.
Net Operating Income $29MM
Operating revenue $105MM
Registration and event service fees $75MM
Operating expenses $76MM
Total Assets $198MM
A detailed financial report can be found on the AKC website.
For the first time in 13 years, litter registrations rose to over 325,000, representing over 800,000 registered dogs. The number of unique breeders climbed to 180,000. Online registrations, which began in 2017, has grown from 56 to 82%.
Only 65 clubs have submitted names for their Junior Coordinator.
A proposal was discussed which would award Championship points for 2nd, 3rd and 4th place in Groups. A recommendation was sent to the Board of Directors.
There was a discussion of the Norwegian ban on breeding Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Based on the claim brought by the Norwegian Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that these two breeds have such major health challenges that breeding them is a violation of the Norwegian Animal Welfare Act. This comes on the heels of the 2020 guidelines from the European Union requiring veterinarians to approve dogs for breeding, monitor the amount of inbreeding and that the justification for selection of breeding animals be shared with future puppy buyers. Such restrictions should be of concern to all breeders. AKC’s Government Relations Department vigorously addresses anti-breeder legislation and regulatory efforts in the U.S.
In discussing Junior Showmanship, the Carmen Battaglia Report on Juniors remaining in AKC activities was discussed. Dr. Leo Levinson stated that only 3-7% of Juniors remain in the sport and most of those become professional handlers. Tom Powers explained that the most prominent group entering AKC activities is 40+ year old women.
Tripod Dogs
Results of the survey indicating current judge’s opinion that these dogs should be allowed to compete in Obedience and Rally: 80% in favor of, 20% against.
An opinion poll sent to The Pacific North West Judge’s Group requesting opinions about whether the tripod dogs should be allowed to compete in Obedience/Rally where jumping is part of the required exercises: 31 judges responded. 22 were opposed.
There was a motion to allow tripod dogs to compete in Obedience/Rally where jumping was not required. The motion failed to pass.
The AKC is favorably considering the suggestion of removing the ownership requirement for Junior Showmanship dogs. A decision will be made in May.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Gregory
PCOTC
AKC Scent Work Judge
PCOTC AKC Delegate Report
4th Quarter 12/2021
General Delegate’s Meeting
The AKC has now officially associated itself with The United States Canine Association. Established in 1971, this organization was formed to educate and support the abilities of Police Canines through certification and training of law enforcement professionals. Access to a training article library, insurance availability, professional certification, legal representation services , awards, newsletters and mentoring programs are all provided to members, which includes all active law enforcement officers.
To further cement this union, the AKC is raising funds to help in the adoption of dogs for law enforcement through ACK Reunites and member clubs. The AKC has long provided registration services for active police dogs.
A recent manifestation of this effort was the recent AKC/USPCA K9 Detection Dog Challenge, broadcast on ESPN2. This program was the 7th most watched event on that sports station that day.
National security is one of our nation’s top priorities and yet we face a shortage of top quality, domestically raised explosive detection dogs. Today, the US government agencies obtain about 85% of our dogs from overseas breeders, who frequently keep their best dogs for their own use. The goal of the AKC Detection Dog Task Force is to increase the availability of US bred and trained explosive detection dogs who will protect our nation from terrorist threats and other dangers to Security.
The Government Relation department of the AKC is also supporting this effort with breeder education highlighting this need and a program called Patriotic Puppy.
The AKC is highlighting a new effort to reinvigorate the Juniors program in all AKC sports.
For more information about this important project, go to the AKC website.
Financial report as of 9/30/2021
Litter Registrations 245,000
Up 17% over the same period of the prior year
Dog registrations 619,000
Litter and dog registrations represent 45% of the revenue for the 9 months ending 9/30/2021
Number of events held during this same period 15,778
Number of entries during this same period
2,300,000, an 89% increase over 2020.
Operating Revenue $78,000,000
Net Revenue $24,900,000
The sum of these two numbers represent a 28% increase over 2020
Registration and event fees total $56,300
Of this number Litter and dog registrations were $45,000
Event fees were $11,000
Advertising, sponsorships, and royalties were $11,900,000
Expenses were $44,000,000 for the 9 months, an increase of 7%. Of this, $24,400,000 was staff costs.
Total assets were $172,000,000. The detailed financial report can be found on the AKC website.
Government Relations
The AKC Government Relations Department is currently tracking 3,000 pending legislative bills,
Nationwide.
Online misconduct and offensive language used against any AKC club should be reported to the AKC.
Canine Health
The AKC has recently sponsored new studies to investigate new cures for mast cell tumors and the
effectiveness of CBD oil in controlling epilepsy.
Companion Events
Number of events as of 9/30/2021
Rally Increase of 4.5%
Agility Increase of 9.3%
Obedience Increase of 2.1%
All AKC clubs are acting under the waiver the AKC put in place in 2020 to make it easier to operate and
hold events of all kinds. These waivers, originally scheduled to expire soon, have been extended to
12/31/2022. An AKC Board meeting will be held in October to discuss letting these waivers expire at that
time or be extended yet again into 2023.
HEC Committee
The HEC Committee recommended that it was time for the Scent Work Sport to be officially entered into
one of the AKC’s nine standing committees. It was further recommended that it be permanently housed
in the Herding Earthdog Coursing Committee, whose name should be changed to Herding Earthdog
Coursing Scent Work Events Committee. This proposal was approved by the Board of Directors.
The Scent Work Virtual test pilot was approved. This very elementary level test was developed as an
easy and basic way to introduce teams to the sport of Scent Work during Covid restrictions.
There is a plan to create an ACK semen bank.
The Bracco Italiano was given full recognition status to compete in the Sporting Group beginning
6/29/2022
A proposal was made by one of the Delegates that some kind of recognition card be used as a substitute
for ribbons in AKC events to reduce costs to clubs.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Gregory
PCOTC
AKC Scent Work Judge
PCOTC AKC Delegate Report
Q3 2021
Demand for ownership of dogs is at an all-time high.
Demand for dogs Up 18% over 2020
Number of registered litters Up 19% over 2020
Number of dog registrations Up 10% over 2020
Report concerning the Herding Earthdog Coursing Committee
Kathy Gregory was elected to another term to represent the sport of AKC Scent Work on this Committee. It was voted to make Scent Work a permanent member of this committee. A Committee name change will discussed at the December Delegate’s meeting.
The number of Scent Work events is up 122% over those held in 2020.
Outlook By Sport as of 9/2/2021
Fast Cat events: 387 events held 71 more than 2019
Rally events: 818 events held 85 more than 2019
Agility events: 1165 events held 68 more than 2019
Obedience events: 770 held 18 more than 2019
Report concerning the Companion Events Committee
A discussion was held on low number of people applying for Obedience/Rally provisional judge status. It was suggested that this may be that, due to low entries for competition, less people were interested in becoming a judge. A sub committee was formed to discuss this further.
Members of the Companion Events Committee held a conference call to discuss recent reports that All-Breed Clubs are dropping obedience and rally at their events. It was suggested that a subcommittee be formed. This committee will work on finding solutions/suggestions for All-Breed Clubs to continue holding Obedience events. Suggestions will follow when the results of these discussions are reported.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Gregory
AKC Scent Work Judge