American Kennel
Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the largest and oldest kennel
club in the United States. The first meeting of the AKC was
comprised of representatives from sportsman's groups and clubs
which had held field trials or bench/conformations shows. This
meeting on September 17, 1884 established a continuing tradition
of hunters and sportsmen in the AKC. Delegates from kennel clubs
across the US still direct how the club is run and AKC has
remained a "Club of Clubs".
Learn
more about how a breed becomes recognized as AKC registerable in
the article "Road to Recognition".
REGISTRATION
In the 1980's the Boykin Spaniel Society (BSS) was actively
seeking to have the breed recognized in AKC. After several years
of gaining the numbers dogs in their registry that would enable
them to have the 5-generation pedigree required by AKC, the BSS
decided they would financially benefit from remaining an independent
registry rather than becoming the AKC parent club and ceased
their efforts to become affiliated with AKC at that time. In 2005 the
Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Assoc. of America (BSCBAA)
requested and were granted the title of "Official AKC Parent
Club" for the Boykin Spaniel.
Currently, Boykin Spaniels can be recorded in the Foundation
Stock Service.
Visit
http://www.akc.org/reg/fss_details.cfm for more details on
the history, overview, and FAQs of the AKC FSS. Any dog that is
either UKC or BSS registered need only fill out the recording
paperwork and submit the required documents to have their dog
registered with the AKC FSS. You do not need prior permission
from any other registry to apply for your recording papers in the AKC
FSS. All AKC forms can be found at
http://www.akc.org/pdfs/masterform.cfm
AKC holds trials and shows through local clubs who are
sanctioned under the AKC. They make their event open to all
purebred dogs that are of an AKC breed. Rescue dogs of AKC
registerable breeds without "papers" may apply to the
Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP)
program to be able to compete in hunting and companion
events.
HUNT AND TRIAL EVENTS
Spaniel Field Trials and
Spaniel Hunt Tests are offered throughout the country for
hunting enthusiasts. They are the only registry that
offers trials to test and trial the unique abilities of spaniels
to hunt, flush and retrieve their game on both land and water.
In January 2006 the Boykin Spaniel will be eligible to compete
and earn titles in the AKC
Spaniel Hunt Tests . To be eligible for Spaniel Field
Trials, the AKC parent club must become sanctioned and then they
may submit a proposed plan for the Boykin Spaniel Field Trials.
COMPANION DOG EVENTS
The Companion Events are events that all AKC breeds of registered
or ILP'd dogs can compete in. They are:
Obedience
Rally
(AKC is the only major registry offering this event)
Tracking
(AKC is the only major registry offering this event)
Agility
Beginning July 1, 2006 the Boykin Spaniel will be eligible to
compete and earn titles in obedience, rally, tracking and
agility, as well as earn the right to compete in certain
national championships.
Boykin also fall under the rules of AKC FSS to be able to
currently show in AKC B Level matches. A "match" is a practice
show, offered to help dogs and handlers prepare for real trial
situations. The
official rule allowing the FSS breeds is in Match Regulations, Chapter 2 General
Information, Section 1 Entry Requirements, paragraph 2:
http://www.akc.org/rules/match.cfm?page=3 Your local
all-breed kennel club or training club can help you find B level
matches in your area.
OTHER SERVICES
AKC has grown to an organization that offers an undeniable list
of services. Other registries such as the Boykin Spaniel Society
and the Boykin Spaniel Club & Breeders Assoc. of Am. also
partake in AKC affiliate programs such as the
Purina/AKC CHF program to promote health research. Boykin
Spaniel owners can also make use of their
Companion Animal Recovery program for all species of animals
and enjoy artwork in the
AKC Museum of the Dog , the world's largest art museum of
dog related artwork.
AKC offers pet healthcare insurance through the AKC
Pet Healthcare Plan. Undoubtedly all Americans support their
efforts in the AKC CAR
Canine Support and Relief Fund. Insurance companies and law
enforcement through out the nation acknowledge the AKC CGC
program.
The AKC supports the family values and recognizes Juniors by
awarding them for their special achievements in AKC dog events.
Juniors who have participated in purebred events may apply for
scholarships through the AKC as well as scholarships
awarded to currently enrolled veterinary students. AKC's
summer intern program is available to educate young people who
want real life experience for their future goals.
AKC's Canine Legislation Department monitors legislation
involving dog ownership to ensure that the rights of dog owners
have a voice in government. This often overlooked portion of dog
ownership can affect everyone if allowed to pass without input.
For more info on legislative services, go to:
http://www.akc.org/canine_legislation/index.cfm
All AKC forms can be found at
http://www.akc.org/pdfs/masterform.cfm including forms to
register your Boykin in the AKC FSS. |
