Kennel Clubs Join for “Meet & Compete”

In 2016, New York City will host the 3rd Annual Masters Agility Championship alongside the Meet & Compete event. This event is designed to allow people the opportunity to meet hundreds of different dogs; it is a joint event arranged by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Westminster Kennel Club. Meet & Compete will be held on February 13th, 2016. The event is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan. The event also focuses on responsible dog ownership.

2016 will be the seventh year the AKC holds Meet the Breeds. AKC Vice President, Gina DiNardo said, “We’re excited to be partnering again with the Westminster Kennel Club to bring the public Meet & Compete. We will have a fantastic variety of breeds at  AKC Meet the Breeds® for attendees to meet and learn about straight from the experts.” Westminster Kennel Club President, Sean W. McCarthy said, “We are combining and expanding two exciting events for Westminster Week 2016, and the dog-loving public is the winner. We have more space for AKC Meet the Breeds® and more access for all to the Masters Agility Championship at Westminster. We are pleased once again to be partnering with the AKC to make it happen.”

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AKC’s Bred With H.E.A.R.T.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is committed to the health and welfare of dogs. The AKC recently launched a new program called Bred with H.E.A.R.T. (Health, Education, Accountability, Responsibility, Tradition). Bred with H.E.A.R.T. is designed to recognize breeders that meet specific health testing standards and participate on continuing education. Health testing requirements are breed specific and follow the recommendations of the Parent Club or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals’ Canine Health Information Center.

Chair of the AKC Delegate Canine Health Committee, Susan LaCroix Hamil said, “This program is great because it not only requires participants to health test their breeding stock, it provides resources and education which will benefit all breeders, from beginners to experts.” The AKC partnered with author and breeding expert, Dr. Claudia Waller Orlandi to use her book ABC’s of Dog Breeding and Practical Canine Anatomy & Movement. Orlandi said, “Knowledge is power in all phases of our lives. The more a breeder knows about the science of breeding healthy dogs the more they can control canine genetic diseases in their breeding programs.”

In order to participate in the Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program, breeders must meet the following criteria:

• Have registered at least one AKC litter within the last 5 years
• Currently be in good standing with the AKC
• Certify that applicable health screens are performed on their breeding stock as recommended by the respective AKC Parent Club and be prepared to supply proof of such compliance upon request
• Agree to comply with the AKC Care and Conditions Policy, including inspection(s) by the American Kennel Club or its duly authorized representative
• Agree to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding the ownership and maintenance of dogs
• Agree to complete AKC-approved and/or AKC-provided continuing breeder education courses annually
• Complete the online application process and pay an annual fee of $25 per breed

AKC’s VP, Registration and Customer Development, Mark Dunn said, “Responsible breeders are always striving to improve their knowledge and the effectiveness of their breeding programs, but it can be difficult to find convenient educational opportunities on the latest breeding best practices. Bred with H.E.A.R.T. will help improve the education and capability of all breeders and ensure the happiness and health of all purebred dogs.”

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Will North American Shelters Run Out of Dogs?

The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) aims to decrease the euthanasia of adoptable pets in American shelters. In order to be effective, they need greater knowledge of the pet marketplace. Recently NAIA conducted some research on shelter dogs. It is difficult to quantify the number of animal shelters in the United States, estimates range from 3,500 to 6,000.1

Several decades ago overpopulation was an issue across the United States however it has been eliminated in several regions. Now that shelters are feeling less pressure from canine overpopulation their roles are changing. In order to continue to offer dogs to the public some shelters are now importing dogs 1. The public safety issues of importing dogs will be discussed in a future InfoStream article.

Why are shelters running low on dogs? NAIA President, Patti Strand believes that one cause the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC encourages thoughtful selection of pets, sterilization of all dogs not intended for breeding, and highlights the commitments required to be a responsible dog owner. While the lack of dogs has been noticed across Canada and the United States, animal rights groups are still trying to eliminte American dog breeders. The main issue with this is that it is nondiscriminatory and negatively affects both responsible and irresponsible breeders. Strand said, "These extreme animal rights groups have become so ideological and irrational that they would rather risk importing rabid dogs from Asia and Africa than support humane, responsible breeding in the U.S. so consumers can purchase the dog of their choice from a responsible and in many cases regulated American breeder." 2 

   

Dr. Emily Weiss from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) writes, “I do not think pets should be just for certain people (those who can afford a puppy from a high-end responsible breeder, for example), but for all people who want to care responsibly for a pet. The crisis is that we are running out of puppies! There are many communities that simply do not have juvenile dogs entering their sheltering system. This is great news!! And, this is the source of my concern. So here is where the crisis is – when there is a need, the void is usually filled. How do we want the void left by the lack of puppies to be filled? I know one thing we can all agree on, we sure do not want it filled by puppy mills and those who breed with no understanding of the importance of early socialization, proper nutrition and the like.” 3

AKC Creates new Urban Canine Good Citizen ®

The American Kennel Club has created a new training program, the Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU). The Canine Good Citizen program focuses on good manners at home and out in the community while this new title will focus on the skills uniquely beneficial to city dogs. Mary Burch, Ph.D., Director of the Canine Good Citizen program says, “Urban CGC reinforces practical, everyday skills for the millions of dogs living in urban areas today, creating safer, more responsible communities.”

The CGCU requires a dog to perform 10 different skills:

• Exits/enters doorways (of dog friendly buildings) with no pulling
• Walks through a crowd on a busy urban sidewalk
• Reacts appropriately to city distractions (horns, sirens, etc.)
• Waits on leash, crosses street under control
• Ignores food and food containers on sidewalk
• Person approaches on sidewalk and pets dog
• 3-minute down-stay in lobby of dog friendly building
• Safely negotiates stairs and elevators
• House-trained
• Enters, exits, rides dog-friendly transportation (car, subway in a carry bag, cab)

The AKC is now able to provide training options for dogs from a puppy into adulthood to provide them with the skills to be well-mannered in society. Four community titles are now offered by the AKC:

• S.T.A.R. Puppy
• Canine Good Citizen
• Community Canine
• Urban Canine Good Citizen

                           

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