INDEX TO PAGE
1. Changes to the Rules Applying to Dog Shows Division of Bred By Exhibitor & Specialty Show Information
2. AKC Puppy of Achievement Program 7/31/17
2. July 31, 2017
THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB ANNOUNCES PUPPY OF ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE PILOT PROGRAM
New York, N.Y. – The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and advocate for all dogs, is pleased to announce the start of its new conformation Puppy of Achievement (POA) certificate program.
The program is designed to create incremental steps of success for those participating in conformation with their puppies. POA points will be earned by winning regular puppy classes or going Best of Breed or Best of Opposite Sex in the 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy (BPUP) competition. Dogs that earn 10 POA points will receive a certificate for their accomplishment. All dogs exhibited in the regular puppy classes or in BPUP competition will be eligible to earn POA points. There is no special entry requirement and no fee associated with the program. Dogs can start earning POA points at shows beginning September 1, 2017.
“We’re excited to launch this program as a way to encourage new puppy owners to continue participating in the sport. Our surveys have shown that new exhibitors are encouraged and likely to continue beyond five shows when they achieve some success,” said Doug Ljungren, Vice President of Sports and Events. “The Puppy of Achievement certificate program is meant to provide a realistic goal new exhibitors can strive to attain while they and their dog gain experience. We look forward to helping new exhibitors stay engaged and encouraged.”
“The POA program is seamless for clubs, superintendents, and judges, as points are earned in existing classes,” said Bri Tesarz, Manager of Dog Show Rules and Programs. “As always, we are here to help make participation in this program as easy and enjoyable as possible.”
AKC is launching the Puppy of Achievement as a pilot program. At the end of one year, all owners who have received a POA certificate will be surveyed about their experience, and next steps will be determined.
To learn more about the Puppy of Achievement program, please visit www.akc.org/events/puppy-of-achievement/. Questions can be sent to eventnews@akc.org.
Westbury Kennel Association, Inc.
Established 1923 Member of the American Kennel Club
DECEMBER 23 2021
1. Changes to the Rules Applying to Dog Shows- Division of Bred By Exhibitor Classes and Specialty Show Information
At their December 2021 meeting the AKC Delegates approved modifications to several sections of Chapter 3 (Dog Show Classifications) of the AKC Rules Applying to Dog Shows. All proposals were recommended by the Delegate Dog Show Rules Committee and approved by the AKC Board of Directors. Following is an overview of each revision and the modified rule text for each with new verbiage underlined. All changes are effective for all Conformation events held on our after March 29, 2022. Inserts for each affected section have been added to the AKC Rules Applying to Dog Shows available on the AKC website.
Chapter 3 (Dog Show Classifications), Section 8 was modified to allow clubs at their option to divide the Bred-by-Exhibitor Class by age; Puppy, for dogs that are six months of age but under twelve months, and Adult, for dogs that are twelve months of age and older. The current Section 8 was replaced with the following:
The Bred-by-Exhibitor Class shall be for dogs that are:
Six months of age or older as of the first day of the show;
Not Champions on the date of closing of entries for the show;
Individually registered with The American Kennel Club as of the date of the show;
Owned or co-owned by any of the breeders of record as of the date of the show.
Clubs may further divide the Bred-by-Exhibitor class into two age groups consisting of Puppy, for dogs that are six months of age but under twelve months, and Adult, for dogs that are twelve months of age and older.
The person handling the dog in this class must be a breeder of record and an owner of record of this dog.
In any subsequent classes for which a dog from the Bred-by-Exhibitor class or divisions of it becomes eligible, there are no restrictions as to who may handle.
As a result of this change, entries competing in any division of the Bred-by-Exhibitor (BBE) Class awarded winners will be counted toward the BBE medallion as it advanced from the BBE class as required. In addition, the Puppy division of the Bred-by-Exhibitor class will be added to the list of classes in which points toward the Puppy of Achievement Certificate may be earned
Chapter 3 (Dog Show Classifications), Section 2 was modified to insert verbiage from Chapter 3 Sections 4 & 5 pertaining to how age is calculated for the purpose of entry into an AKC event. This language was added as the determination of age for entry relates to all classes and not just the Puppy and 12-18 Months classes, and the insertion into Section 2 applies it globally to all classes. The impacted segments of the current Section 2 were replaced with the following:
No class shall be provided for any dog under six months of age except at sanction events when approved by The American Kennel Club.
For all classes, the age of a dog shall be calculated up to and inclusive of the first day of a show. For example, a dog whelped on January 1st is six months of age on July 1st of the same year, 12 months of age on January 1st and 18 months of age on July 1st of the following year.
In a single show with multiple days of judging, the first day of a show is considered to be the first day on which there is regular conformation judging in accordance with Section 3 of this chapter. (Sweepstakes and Futurities are not considered regular conformation classes).
Chapter 3 (Dog Show Classifications), Section 4 was modified to remove the language pertaining to the calculation of age inserted into Section 2 eliminating redundancy. The current Section 4 was replaced with the following:
The Puppy Class shall be for dogs that are six months of age and over, but under twelve months, that are not champions. Clubs may further divide the puppy class into two age groups consisting of six months of age and under nine months, and nine months of age and under twelve months.
Chapter 3 (Dog Show Classifications), Section 6 was modified to remove the language pertaining to the calculation of age inserted into Section 2 eliminating redundancy. The current Section 6 was replaced with the following:
The Twelve-to-Eighteen Month Class shall be for dogs that are twelve months of age and over, but under eighteen months, that are not champions. Clubs may further divide the Twelve-to-Eighteen Month Class into two age groups consisting of twelve months of age but under fifteen months, and fifteen months of age but under eighteen months.
Chapter 3 (Dog Show Classifications), Section 11 was modified for consistency and clarity. Language was inserted to clearly define that first-place undefeated dogs of the same sex from the classes defined by the rules and all division of them (age, color, markings, etc.) are eligible to compete in the Winners Class. Language was also inserted to clarify that the only required classes to be offered at AKC Conformation dog shows are the American Bred and Open classes, and all others are at the option of the club. The current Section 11 was replaced with the following:
The Winners Class shall be divided by sex and each division shall be open only to undefeated dogs of the same sex which have won first prizes in the following classes and all divisions of: Puppy, Twelve-to-Eighteen Month, Novice, Amateur-Owner-Handler, Bred-by-Exhibitor, American bred or Open Classes. There shall be no entry fee for competition in the Winners Class.
After the Winners prize has been awarded in one of the sex divisions, the second prize winning dog, if undefeated except by the dog awarded Winners, shall compete with the other eligible dogs for Reserve Winners. No eligible dog may be withheld from competition.
Winners Class shall be allowed only at shows where American-bred and Open Classes shall be offered. All other regular classes are at the option of the Club. A member club holding a show with restricted entries may include Winners Classes, provided the necessary regular classes are included in the classification.