Change Is Good

By Amy Fernandez

Lately, AKC has dished out rule changes and new events faster than feeding time at my house. Let’s face it. Shows are sufficiently complicated without big surprises every weekend. Coming to grips with AKC’s unexpected attitude adjustment is a bigger shock. Traditionally, AKC regulations focused on discouraging undue merriment among the rank and file. Suddenly, they are doing their best to make us get happy at dog shows.

Last week’s new amendment definitely merits celebration. Starting next year, parent clubs may award three point majors to Reserve winners at one National Specialty per year. To offer the extra major, class competition for that sex must double the minimum required for a five point major. For many breeds, that restriction never poses a barrier. Reserve at these specialties qualifies as a tremendous accomplishment. Finally, it will also include an actual reward.

And we’re still getting used to the bag’o’treats they unveiled last July- 4-6 Month Puppy Competition, Reserve Best In Show, and Open Shows.

Essentially, Open Shows are AKC’s new, improved fun matchs. As much as we love match shows participation has tanked because many fanciers simply cannot devote time, money, and premium priced gas to nonessential events. AKC finally realized that practical incentives might help. Judges can use Open Show assignments as experience when applying for additional breeds or initial approval.

But the real lure is the Certificate of Merit. AKC implemented its introductory conformation CM title to revive the Miscellaneous Class. Dogs must accumulate 15 points/two majors. This helps novices learn the point system. But its real value was finally acknowledging the existence of the lowly Miscellaneous exhibitor who customarily earned nothing for their time/work/money commitment. I did time in Miscellaneous limbo twice. I understand its educational purpose, but it’s been around since 1888 and there are reasons why it never caught on.

AKC has been slow waking up to the fact that exhibitors need reasons to stay in the game. But now they are overcompensating. Along with Open Shows and Miscellaneous, CM points are now up for grabs in the new FSS and 4-to-6 Month competitions at All Breed shows This particular party favor is long overdue. Dogs need actual show experience to become confident in this environment. So, puppies and unrecognized breeds were habitually smuggled into AKC events to provide this essential component of their education. Now they can get experience and credit.

I’m not convinced that these heroics will reverse the trend. According to AKC stats, overall entries inched up about three percent in 2011, and about nine percent this year. Slightly encouraging, but not exactly a tsunami of good news.

But I gotta share a story that has renewed my faith in the AKC system. My friend Susan Meluzin is one of the longtime breeder/exhibitors who routinely presents her dogs flawlessly and should win far more often than it happens. She always takes her losses in stride and keeps everything in perspective. Last week she lost all perspective when she owner/handled her OES to his last major to finish, took Best Of Breed and Group First, and went home with Reserve Best In Show. This recognition was long overdue, and she is the first to admit that she will probably never have another day like that. But will it keep this valuable person in the game? Absolutely!

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Posted by amy on Sep 19 2012. 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.