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Perspectives

www.akc.org

Dogs enrich our lives in so many ways.The companionship they provide and

services they perform are as varied as thebreeds themselves.

In this issue of In Session, we celebratethe many ways dogs improve the lives ofindividuals and the world around us aswell as the dedication of responsible dogbreeders and owners to ensuring thehealth and wellbeing of not just their cur-rent pets, but future generations of pure-bred dogs as well.

The American Kennel Club® (AKC)recently honored five exceptional dogs fortheir service to society and their owners.The AKC Awards for Canine Excellence(ACE Awards) are awarded at theAKC/Eukanuba National Championshipeach year in December. (See opposite formore information.)

These five dogs are remarkable for theiraccomplishment and service, but in manyways, they are little different from thedogs we encounter every day. The bondbetween dogs and their owners oftendefies explanation—and from time inmemorial we have cherished their loyaltyand companionship.

If you recently watched theAKC/Eukanuba National Championshipor Westminster Kennel Club dog show, yousaw another way the AKC and responsiblebreeders celebrate purebred dogs. Dogshows are not only a fun, family-friendlyevent, they also serve an important purpose

Five Canine Heroes Honored With AKC® Human

Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) ........1

Economic Benefits of Dog Shows ......................3

Issue Analysis: Conformation Shows - More Than

A Pretty Face ......................................................4

Treeing Walker Coonhound ...............................6

Inside

Continued on next page

The AKC® Humane Fund recent-ly announced the winners of the

12th annual AKC Humane FundAwards for Canine Excellence (ACE),which commemorates five loyal,hard-working dogs that have madesignificant contributions to theircommunities in each of the follow-ing five categories: ExemplaryCompanion Dog, Law Enforcement,Search and Rescue, Service andTherapy.

"The AKC Humane Fund Awardsfor Canine Excellence celebratewhat dogs contribute to our livesand these five exceptional recipientsexemplify the selfless servicecanines perform for us everyday,"said AKC Spokesperson LisaPeterson.

All the ACE recipients received$1,000 and an engraved Sterling sil-ver medallion presented at theAKC/Eukanuba NationalChampionship in Orlando, Floridaon December 17, 2011. Each winnerwas also honored at local events.

This year’s ACE winners include:

Exemplary Companion Dog:"Tugg," a Bull Terrier owned byBlake & Kim Ovard of Cleburne,TX

When he was four months of age,"Tugg" was found beside a road,wrapped in a blanket, barely alive

and suffering from numerous infec-tions. His adoptive owners, bothanimal control officers, started aFacebook page to report on Tugg’sprogress. Today, the Bull Terrier hasmore than 9,300 fans around theworld. Tugg’s fame has helped himraise money for an array of charita-ble causes, including animal rescueand the Susan G. KomenFoundation. As a certified therapydog, Tugg makes school visits wherehe helps raise children’s self-esteemwith his "You are great just the wayyou are" program.

Law Enforcement Dog: "Blue," aGerman Shepherd Dog ownedby Suffolk County PoliceDepartment and handled by JohnMallia of Yaphank, NY

On December 11, 2010, John andBlue were requested to search for amissing woman in the Gilgo Beacharea of Long Island, NY. Theyended up locating a differentwoman’s remains in an area coveredwith dense brush and later unex-

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Five Canine Heroes Honored With AKC® Humane Fund Awards for

Canine Excellence (ACE)

COURTESY BLAKE OVARD

COURTESY SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

The American Kennel Club’s Newsletter for State Legislators and their Staff

In SessionAKC’S STATE LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER

pectedly found three additional sets ofhuman remains, all of which were believedto be victims of the same serial killer. Justone week later, the team recovered theremains of another person in an unrelatedcase, helping to bring closure to a victim’sfamily.

Search and Rescue Dog: "Hunter"owned by Fire Captain Billy Monahanof Tehachapi, CA

Hunter and Captain Monahan weredeployed to Haiti after the country’s January2010 earthquake. During his time there,Hunter detected and alerted to live humanscent while searching the debris of a four-story collapsed building. As a result of hisefforts, rescuers were able to pull three girls,still alive, from the rubble. Hunter was alsocalled on after the Japanese earthquake andtsunami in March 2011 and worked throughaftershocks, tsunami warnings, freezing tem-peratures and snow. In 2010, Hunter wasawarded the Firefighter of the Year award bythe Los Angeles County Fire Department,becoming the first ever non-human recipient.

Service Dog: "Bingo," a LabradorRetriever owned by Konrad Feldmannof Liberty Township, OH

"Bingo" acts as a service dog for Konrad,who has cerebral palsy. Since being pairedwith Bingo, Konrad has experienced a farmore inclusive and welcoming attitude in hisschool and community. Whether it’s a walkin the neighborhood or attendance at a highschool football game, the team elicits a mul-titude of greetings from the many newfriends Konrad has met through his caninepartner. The team has also facilitated a pres-entation in a special needs classroom andtaken part in a ribbon cutting ceremony foran accessible playground.

Therapy Dog: "Miki," a Pomeranianowned by Tricia Baker of Plainsboro, NJ

In 2009, Tricia Baker’s son Kenny tookhis own life after years of struggling withdepression and anxiety disorder. TherapyDog Miki has been instrumental in theBaker family’s recovery. After Kenny’sdeath, Tricia and her family created the

organization A.I.R. (Attitudes inReverse), whose theme is "Mental illnessis like air. Just because you don’t see it,doesn’t mean it isn’t there. It is allaround us." Tricia makes presentationsabout mental health and suicide preven-tion where people pet and hug Miki asthey open up about their personal jour-neys with similar issues. Miki also helpsraise awareness by walking for theNational Alliance on Mental Illness andthe American Foundation for SuicidePrevention.

For more photos and stories about the2011 AKC Humane Fund ACE recipi-ents and honorable mentions visit:http://www.akc.org/news/ace/2011/hon-orees.cfm

From AKC.org

AKC MISSION STATEMENT

The AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB is dedicated to uphold-

ing the integrity of its Registry, promoting the

sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and

function. Founded in 1884, the AKC and its affili-

ated organizations advocate for the purebred dog

as a family companion, advance canine health

and well-being, work to protect the rights of all dog

owners and promote responsible dog ownership.

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AKC Government Relations Department

(919) 816-3720

doglaw@akc.org

www.akc.org/canine_legislation

Continued from page 1, “Five Canine HeroesWith AKC® Human Fund Awards for CanineExcellence (ACE)”for responsible breeders. On page 4, we

discuss the history of conformationshows and the role they serve in promot-ing high-quality breeding for health,temperament and breed characteristics.

Dog shows also generate significantrevenue for local businesses throughfacility rental, hotels, restaurants, and soon (Learn more on page 3). This is inaddition to the millions of dollars collec-tively spent by responsible dog ownerseach year on basic dog needs, veterinarycare, grooming and so on.

These are just a few of the reasons itbenefits lawmakers to support responsi-ble dog ownership and ensure thatcanine legislation does not result inoverly restrictive regulations that hurtresponsible breeders. The AKC wel-comes the opportunity to work withyou to protect the welfare of dogs andthe ability of responsible owners andbreeders to continue to own, breed andenjoy dogs for generations to come.

All the best,

Sheila Goffe Director of Government Relationsshg@akc.org

(Continued from page 1)

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F O U N D E D 1 8 8 4

COURTESY BILLY MONAHAN

COURTESY FELDMANN FAMILY

COURTESY TRICIA BAKER

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Issue Analysis: Conformation Shows– More Than Just a Pretty Face

Have youever won-

dered why a poo-dle has such a inter-esting haircut? It’san inevitable ques-tion for many dogshow spectators.Contrary to popularbelief, it’s not theartistic whim of thedog’s handler orgroomer, but rathera cut dating backcenturies that helpsthe poodle be a bet-ter swimmer.

The word “poo-dle” likely originates from the Germanword pudel, meaning “to splash in thewater”. Poodles are excellent swimmers.Their original purpose was as a huntingdog that would retrieve birds in thewater. Owners would shear portions oftheir coat to help facilitate movement inthe water, but leave sections of their furaround the top of their head, theirankles, and hips to help them stay warmin cold water.

Facts such as thesehelp illuminate whatan AKC conformationdog show is all about.The shows highlightthe amazing diversityof purebred dogs andthe broad variety oftasks they can per-form.

Understanding Conformation Shows

The purpose of conformation shows issimple – to determine how well dogsconform to the established breed stan-dard. In this way, dog shows are notunlike horse shows or other animalstock shows, where there is intense com-petition among breeders to prove boththe quality of an animal and that it pos-sesses the temperament and physicalcharacteristics required to perform the

duties for which it was bred. Because conformation dog shows ulti-

mately judge the quality of breedingstock, the AKC requires that all dogscompeting in these shows be intact (notspayed/neutered). If a dog cannot bebred, it cannot participate in a confor-mation show. A dog show celebrates andrewards high-quality breeding, while sub-standard breeding and quality eitherreceive poor marks or are disqualified.

In an all-breed show such as theAKC/Eukanuba National Championshipor the Westminster Kennel Club show,the competition begins with the judgingof each individual breed. The winners ofeach breed advance to their group compe-tition. AKC breeds are divided intoseven groups (Terrier, Sporting, Hounds,Non-Sporting, Working, Herding, andToys) based on recognized breed charac-teristics and the purpose for which theywere originally developed (For example,a Beagle is a member of the Hound

Group and a St.Bernard is a mem-ber of the WorkingGroup). Theseven dogs thatwin group compe-tition then go onto compete forBest in Show.

Points areawarded based onthe number ofdogs the winner ofeach breed compe-tition defeats andthe number ofcompetitors in theshow. A Champion(Ch.) title isobtained once adog obtains a cer-

tain number of points (wins) from arequired number and type of shows.

A Noble Tradition

The exhibition of dogs is a sport with along, proud heritage. The sport as weknow it today has many of its roots inVictorian England, where in the 19thCentury, aristocratic English gentlemen

would gather together atlocal public houses andtaverns and proudlyexhibit their dogs. Thefirst organized dog showas we know them todaywas held in Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1859.According to TheKennel Club (UK), 60Pointer and Setterbreeds were entered in

this first show1. The popularity of the sport continued to

expand (as did the number of breedsincluded), and dog shows began in theUnited States just after the Civil War. In1877, Queen Victoria entered a ScottishDeerhound at the first Westminster KennelClub dog show at Gilmore’s Garden (nowMadison Square Garden) in New York City.

Even as the sport expanded, special carewas taken to ensure the quality of the dogsand that proper, safe breeding was main-

“Dog shows highlight the amazingdiversity of purebred dogs and the broad variety of tasks they can perform.”

© AKC/ROBERT YOUNG

1 “History of the Kennel Club”, The Kennel Club. http://www.thekennelclub.co.uk/item/343/

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tained. Major James M. Taylor, the firstPresident of the American Kennel Club,emphasized the need for a standard set ofrules. The AKC maintains a strict set ofrules governing AKC dog shows to this day.

In addition, the breed parent club of eachbreed recognized by the American KennelClub maintains a very specific breed stan-dard to ensure the quality of the dogs andpreservation of the characteristics that

enable them to perform the tasks for whichthey were originally bred. Only a breedparent club can alter a breed standard.

Outside the Ring

Participation in conformation dogshows requires an extensive amount ofwork, travel, and an immense depth ofexpertise in the breed being shown. Dogshows are one of the few events in which

professionals and amateurs reg-ularly compete directly withone another. These exhibitors,regardless of whether they areprofessional handlers or owner-handlers, ensure that their dogsare in the best health, of thebest quality, and exemplify thebest of their breed.

Dog show exhibitors arealso excellent resources forspectators who are consideringpurchasing a dog. Most arebreed experts and once theyare finished showing for theday, are happy to talk abouttheir dog’s breed, tempera-ment, and care requirements.

Purebred dogs benefit fromdog shows, too. Shows are notonly fun, they also provide alevel of accountability forcompetitors to make sure theirdogs are properly bred andraised. The competitiveaspect encourages the breed-ing and raising of better dogsand better pets. They are also

educational opportunities forcompetitors and spectators alike

to learn about the various AKC-regis-tered breeds and proper dog care.Experts on dog breeding, care, healthand genetics abound at dog shows.

Conformation dog shows are a fun,family-friendly way to spend time withdogs and interact with fellow dog lovers.The AKC’s Junior Showmanship pro-gram reaches out to young people 9-18

years of age.Juniors competi-tions provide theopportunity foryoung people tolearn about dogs,develop dog han-dling skills, andlearn good sports-manship.

The AKC alsoconducts a compet-

itive scholarship program for Juniorswho have competed in the sport. Eachyear, approximately 30 college scholar-ships are awarded. Applicants mustprovide details about their experiencein the sport, work they have done in thecommunity in support of responsibledog ownership, and an essay on theinfluence that purebred dogs have hadon their lives.

Dogs have made a positive impact onthe lives of millions of Americans.Conformation shows are a fun way tocelebrate some of the most exquisitedogs in the world, the dedication oftheir breeders, and the wonderful pur-pose and characteristics that make eachAKC-registered breed unique.

It Pays to Support AKC Dog Shows! The American Kennel Club hosted itsfirst dog show in Philadelphia in 1926in conjunction with the celebration ofthe 150th anniversary of the signing ofthe Declaration of Independence. Sincethat time, the popularity of dogs anddog shows has grown exponentially inthe United States.

In 2011, over 3,900 AKC conformationdog shows took place in communitiesin every state. Local clubs and organi-zations host thousands of additionalAKC obedience, agility, field trial,and other competitions throughoutthe country.

Each of these events generates signifi-cant revenue for local businessesincluding hotels, restaurants, shops,transportation, and event venues,among others.

This revenue is in addition to the mil-lions of dollars responsible dog ownersspend on their pets at local businesseseach year on such items as dog food,grooming, veterinary care and boarding.

When considering whether to supporta piece of canine legislation, considerthe effect it may have on dog competi-tions and dog ownership among yourconstituency. Supporting dog showsand responsible dog ownership has aripple effect that benefits a communi-ty’s residents, local businesses, and overall economy.

For more information about the economic impact of AKC shows and dog ownership in your state, visitwww.akc.org/governmentrelations andclick on the “2011 State Economic ImpactStatistics” link.

BLOODHOUND- ©ANIMAL PLANET

“The competitive aspect encourages the breeding and raising of better dogs and better pets.”

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The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) expanded its litter of registered breeds on January 1, 2012, to welcome the

Treeing Walker Coonhound, growing AKC’s family to 174 breeds.

"The Treeing Walker is a fast, hot nosed, sensible hunter witha clear, ringing bugle voice," said AKC Spokesperson LisaPeterson. "The AKC welcomes this exceptional hunter to ourfamily of breeds."

The Treeing Walker Coonhound was bred originally – likethe other five AKC recognized coonhounds (American EnglishCoonhound, Black and Tan Coonhound, Plott, BluetickCoonhound and Redbone Coonhound) – to help put food onthe table.

Historically the Treeing Walker Coonhound hunted raccoon,a principle source of fur and meat during the 19th and 20thCenturies. The breed assisted its owner in the hunt by "treeing"its quarry and announcing to the hunter with its bark that it

had been found. In fact this coon-hunting jargon is the basis ofthe present day idiom "barking up the wrong tree."

Today the Treeing Walker is known as a fast and sensiblehunter with superb endurance. The breed's coat is short, glossyand tri-colored - white, black and tan and requires minimalupkeep. Intelligent, confident and sociable with family andfriends the Treeing Walker thrives with regular exercise. Bewarned though, coonhounds are bred to be heard so if you areconsidering adding the breed to your household, be preparedfor a voice loud enough to carry for miles through the woods.For more information about this breed, visit the www.akc.org.

To become an AKC recognized breed there needs to be acertain number of dogs geographically distributed throughoutthe U.S. and an established breed club to watch over them.Breeds waiting to gain full recognition are recorded in AKC’sFoundation Stock Service® (FSS®). More information on theprocess can be found at the AKC’s web site.

Article from AKC.org

The Treeing Walker Coonhound -- A Fast, HotNosed, Sensible Hunter -- Joins AKC Family

– Breed is Sixth Coonhound to Gain Full AKC Recognition –

“The breed assisted its owner… by ‘treeing’ its quarry and announcing to the hunter withits bark that it had been found. In fact, thiscoon-hunting jargon is the basis for the present-day idiom ‘barking up the wrong tree.’”

Did You Know? The American Kennel Club® currently recognizes sixbreeds of coonhounds – the American EnglishCoonhound, Black and Tan Coonhound, BluetickCoonhound, Redbone Coonhound, Plott, and TreeingWalker Coonhound. The AKC has a CoonhoundEvents Department that provides performance andconformation events specifically for coonhoundbreeds to recognize and celebrate the purposes forwhich Coonhounds were originally bred. For moreinformation on this department, visit akccoonhounds.org.

ALL PHOTOS: TREEING WALKER COONHOUND – DIANE LEWIS FOR AKC