Notice on Board Action on the Judging Approval Process

At the Board’s July 2017 meeting, as Chairman, I appointed a committee to review the current Judging Approval Process to determine where modifications were warranted. This action was necessary after hearing the concerns of the full Board and those expressed by the Fancy with the current process for the approval and review of conformation judges.

Over the next several months, the committee comprised of myself; Vice-Chairman, Tom Davies, Director of Dog Show Judges, Tim Thomas; and esteemed judges and members of the Fancy Mr. Edd E. Bivin and Mr. Frank T. Sabella, met on multiple occasions and spent extensive hours discussing and reviewing the policy adopted in 2015. The committee’s approach was evolutionary rather than revolutionary; the intent being to make improvement to the current policy, rather than design a completely new Judging Approval Process.

I am proud to share the committee has presented its initial recommendations to the Board of Directors, and they were approved at its November 2017 meeting. The committee and the Board of Directors are confident these revisions will address those areas which required immediate attention in the best interest of the sport and pure-bred dogs. The revised policy, effective January 1, 2018, will enhance the original by providing a clear and transparent path for approval, recognizing the importance of education in breeds both pre-and post-approval, while respecting the mission and core values of the American Kennel Club.

The revised Judging Approval Process, and information concerning the specific aspects that have been modified and their impact will be published by the Judging Operations Department on the AKC website and on the Conformation Judges blog in the very near future. To assist Judging Operations in implementing these changes quickly and efficiently, the Board of Directors has imposed an immediate moratorium on all applications for additional breeds. Effective immediately, no application for additional breeds will be accepted until January 1, 2018. Applications in processing or post-marked prior to this notice will continue through processing. Specific questions are to be sent directly to Judging Operations at judgingops@akc.org.

We recognize that the process is fluid and the revised version of the Judging Approval Process will continue to be monitored and examined for effectiveness. Further changes may be recommended in the future as warranted.

Thank you for your love of dogs and support of the American Kennel Club.

Best regards,

Ron Menaker