AKC Regulations Updates

The AKC Events department always works hard to keep clubs and fanciers up-to-date on new regulations or amendments to existing ones. I wanted to share some of the latest regulations updates with you. If you have questions about any of these policies, we encourage you to contact the Events department at eventnews@akc.org and we’d be happy to provide further explanation.

- Bri Tesarz, Manager, Dog Show Rules & Programs

Usage of Ramps in Conformation Judging

At their October 2014 meeting the AKC Board of Directors modified several elements of the Board Policy regarding the usage of ramps in Conformation judging.   All of the modifications are effective for shows held on or after January 1, 2015 and include the following:

• As a result of an approval of a request made by the Chow Chow Club, Inc., Chow Chows must be judged on the ramp at the breed, Group and Best in Show levels.
• Basset Hounds, Bulldogs, and Chow Chows must be judged on the ramp during all conformation competition at AKC conformation dog shows and any AKC event where a conformation title may be earned. This policy includes Junior Showmanship, the 4–6 Month Beginner Puppy Competition, the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS), and all other special attractions that offer Group and BIS competitions.
• At the discretion of the judge, the ramp will be available for all ramp optional breeds through all levels of competition including Group and Best in Show judging.
• The Board removed the requirement for judges requesting the use of a ramp to provide notification to the superintendent/show secretary 5 to 10 business days prior to the event.

As a reminder, English Springer Spaniels and Cardigan Welsh Corgis may be judged, at the discretion of the judge, on the ramp effective January 1, 2015.

The table-ramp list has been updated and posted on the AKC website in the Judging Resource Center. These modifications to AKC Board policy require a greater number of ramps to be available at shows.  Clubs, Show Secretaries and/or Superintendents are expected to provide a sufficient number of ramps at every show to ensure they are available for competition.

Tracking Updates

Several tracking regulations were also amended at the October 2014 AKC Board of Directors meeting and will become effective January 1, 2015.

The regulation changes will:

• Allow participants to wear their club clothing, AKC event clothing or clothing with their name or their dog’s name on it;
• Simplify the determination of the number of tracks that can be reserved for individuals that have worked for the club at a previous tracking test;
• Shorten the minimum required time between plotting and the running of a track from “one day prior to the test” to “at least 12 hours prior to the running of the track.” This is at the option of the club; and
• Clarify that the dog may be rewarded by allowing it to play with the articles once the final article has been found and the judging of the team is complete.

For a full explanation of all of these changes, click here. Questions or comments regarding these changes should be sent to tracking@akc.org.

Common Site Application

Does your club need more information about the Common Site Application (CSA)? The CSA documents that the club owning the territory where an event site is located has granted permission to other club(s) to hold event(s) on a specific date(s). Click here to learn more about when and why a club needs to submit a CSA.

Bri Tesarz has been involved with dogs her whole life as a third generation fancier raised with Shetland Sheepdogs. Her original breed is the Polish Lowland Sheepdog (PON), and she has recently become involved in Portuguese Water Dogs (PWD). Currently, she shares her home with a PON, a PWD, a Pug and an Australian Shepherd. She has participated in Conformation, Obedience, Agility, and AKC Rally, and has served as show chair for both all-breed and parent clubs. She started her career with the AKC nearly 10 years ago as a summer intern, and has spent most of her tenure with the Event Operations department.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Nov 21 2014. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.