I Cannot Say “No”
I am so tired! Six weekends out judging, and I am still alive … somewhat.
When I took the assignments, I must have been in a daze or something. I am so happy to judge – that must be it. One assignment I took because the judge could not make it … but I could. I took the assignment and had a good time. I do like to go to the dog shows and see the lovely dogs and the exhibitors. I also like to stay at home and be with Phil and my babies. I am so blessed, and I will now stop this tear-stained-cheek nonsense about being tired.
I arrived in Newark for the Delegate meeting from shows in the Chicago area, where I had a great time and the club was so wonderful to me. I then went to the Doubletree in Newark, and they finally found a room for me very close to the penthouse floor. Oh, well, maybe one day I can get there.
Larry Terricone, Ken Levison, Link Newcomb and I went to see “Funny Girl”! It was a wonderful performance, and I also got a picture with the star as well as her autograph! There is nothing like a Broadway performance, whether a musical or a play.
Well, we must get to the Delegate Report, and here it is:
On June 13, the Committee meetings were held. The All-Breed Committee reported there is a new joint registration program between the Canadian Kennel Club and the AKC.
Board liaison Karolynne McAteer sent a note from the Irish Setter Nationals that expressed an interest in limited registration: Why do breeders use it, and why is it getting more popular? Perhaps the committee will study that issue.
There was also a discussion by Board Chairman Dr. Tom Davies at the May board meeting on a revision of the policy that would limit any group judge to 150 dogs at the breed level on the same day he or she is judging a group. He ask the Board to consider limiting group judges’ ability to judge special-attraction groups on the same day they are judging regular groups. Staff will be working on this.
Breed seminars on the AKC’s Canine College site have 50 percent price reduction through July 2022.
There was another discussion about realigning the groups and a proposal increase of group placements from four to six. The last time the issue of group realignment came up was in 2010. I was on that committee to discuss it, and it was voted down by the Delegate body. I am not in favor of it, as at some shows with low entries you may have three breeds in that group that showed up.
Again, there is a discussion going around that would revisit the inability of a Delegate judge to charge a fee. That has come before the Delegate body before, proposing to allow a Delegate to charge no more than $150 per show, which did not pass. I do not understand why a Delegate could not charge a fee! Lots of good dog people would be Delegates if they could charge a fee. Does this go back to the days when the Delegate body consisted of rich old men and no women? I hope that this will come before the Delegates and allow Delegate judges to charge fees. Do you realize how much judges spend to become judges? We are not all rich!
Juniors can now show dogs they do not own. I am in favor of this policy, as it gets the kids into the ring and hopefully into our sport! I agree that Juniors should raise the dogs and groom them and do all of that stuff, but you can do that without owning them. I would rather have that than to have a Junior in the ring with a “push button” dog that most likely just came from a handler setup.
There is also a discussion going around about doing away with the term limits for board members. I am in favor of that. As it is now, after a certain number of terms, there will be a board without any previous board members on it … just all newcomers. Think about that!
I am so happy about the popularity of the Pee Wee Special Attraction! This introduces conformation showmanship to 5- to 9-year-old children who want to learn how to show dogs. This is not a competitive class, but rather a fun learning experience for the child and the adult. This event is great for a family new to conformation. It makes all the kids and the crowd feel so happy, and me too when I am the mentor for the event. If you have any questions, contact me at dssup@cs.com or go to the AKC website under Junior Showmanship and read more about it. If your club cannot afford to offer it, please let me know and I will help with the expenses.
If people have not read, there is a modification to the Rules Applying to Dog Shows. At the Delegate meeting the Delegate body approved changes to Chapter 11, Section 6. This change is effective at events occurring on or after July 6, 2022. The changes provide exhibitors more flexibility in transferring an entry between classes that are defined by age:
• Allows transfer between the divisions of the Bred-by Exhibitor class (Puppy/Adult).
• Adds verbiage to specify transfer between the divisions of the 12-18 month classes.
• Adds verbiage to specify transfer between the divisions of the Veterans class.
• Inserts language to recognize that transfer between Puppy and 12-18 months classes may involve divisions of either.
• Adds language for clarity as to when a transfer between classes must be completed at an individual event with multiple days of judging.
At the Delegate meeting on June 14, President Dennis Sprung gave the following presentation:
“Supply chain problems are real and creating very challenging hurdles but none that staff has been unable to overcome. In collaboration with our Board, I am delighted to report a good first quarter from a financial perspective, but we do predict a challenge to registrations and entries from an increase in gas prices and decrease in the value of a dollar. Litters are increasing (8 years), and individual dogs, while lower than 2021, and are still doing well. Sports and Events have gains with a very strong comeback in both events and entries while the number of clubs continues its increase. Naturally the concern for running our sport as a business is inflation and of course entries being hurt by gas prices. Nevertheless, new and enhanced programs are being rolled out by staff to serve our core constituency and to welcome the public to the AKC Universe.” Thank you, Dennis!
Chief Financial Officer Ted Phillips gave the first quarter results as of June 14, 2022. From March to March year to date, registrations were 226,556 dogs in 2021 and 209,092 in 2022. Litters in 2021 were 82,026 and in 2022, 84,231. In 2021 there were 3,098 dog events and 494,063 entries compared to 4,656 events and 756,691 entries in 2022.
Operating revenues were $26.9 million, with registration and events fees, $19.2 million; Advertising, Sponsorship & Royalties, $4.3 million; Product & Service Sales, $3.3 million.
Operating expenses were $18.9 million, with Professional Fees, $3.5 million; Insurance, Rent & Depreciation, $2.6 million; Fulfillment, $2.5 million; Staff $8.8 mil; Donations, $1.2 million.
Financial Position (in 000s): As of March 31, 2022, in Total Assets, $246,416; Net Assets, $122,272, and Liabilities $(124,144).
There were 14 reads on various subjects to be voted on in September, and Gina DiNardo should receive a special award for getting through them so beautifully!
There is still more work to be done regarding Chapter 9, Section 2, and allowing individuals approved by the AKC to serve as an on-site show secretary for up to 18 all-breed/or group shows per calendar year under criteria established by the AKC. The situation is what criteria, and we are still working on this.
Westminster Kennel Club put on a great show at Lyndhurst Estate. Show chairmen David Helming and David Haddock, along with Westminster President Darrell Crate, should get a standing ovation for making this all happen. I had the pleasure of ring stewarding on two of the three days and had a great time. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed the show, and if the show goes to the Garden we will always have our memories of Tarrytown and the Lyndhurst Estate. I got to visit the Lyndhurst Castle, which was so much fun, and the guides did a great job.
I spoke to a few stewards who ask me about what is important in stewarding, and I told them the following: Act as if this is the first show for each exhibitor and make them feel comfortable and make them smile. Do whatever you can to help each exhibitor with any request they may have. That is the most important thing about being a steward.
To top off the whole trip, I got an award at the Purina® Pro Plan® Showdogs of The Year Awards in partnership with Dog News. It was the top award of the evening, in my opinion: I got the GOLDEN POOPER SCOOPER AWARD! It was such an honor to receive this prestigious award, and I mean this as no joke. I was introduced with such good things said about me, and I was able to give my thanks to my “dog family” for my 56 years in this sport and for accepting me as I am. It was so much fun, and I do thank you each and all so much for my great life in my dog world.