The following are highlights from the August AKC Board meeting regarding Performance Events. For full minutes from the AKC August Board Meeting Minutes, click the following link:

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/about/board_minutes/0809.pdf

PERFORMANCE EVENTS

Doug Ljungren, Lisa Carroll, and Caroline Murphy, AKC Staff, participated in this portion of the meeting via video conference.

Pointing Breed Hunt Tests – Class Entry Requirements

There was a motion by Mr. Marden, seconded by Mr. Goodman, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to amend Chapter 2, Sections 3 and 4 of the Regulations for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds to allow a dog to enter a lower class in a Pointing Breed Hunt Test until such time as it has received a title in a more advanced class. Revised regulations are effective immediately:

Chapter 2. Qualifying Scores, Awarding of Titles

Section 3. Senior Hunter Title (SH). Dogs that have acquired a Senior Hunter Title at an AKC licensed or member Hunting Test are ineligible to enter Junior Hunting Tests.

Section 4. Master Hunter Title (MH). Dogs that have acquired a Master Hunter Title at an AKC licensed or member club Hunting Test are ineligible to enter Junior and Senior Hunting Tests.

Beagle Field Trials – Combining Classes by Gender

There was a motion by Mr. Marden, seconded by Mr. Goodman, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to approve a change to Beagle Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedures for Brace, Small Pack and Small Pack Option Field Trials and Two-Couple Pack Hunting Tests, Chapter 9. Section 1 to allow a Field Trial Committee the option of combining the small Beagle Field Trial Class (13”) with the other size class (15”) from the same gender. This will be read at the September 2009 Delegate meeting for a vote at the December 2009 Delegate meeting. The section is amended as follows (underlined):

CHAPTER 9 Section 1. At a licensed or member Beagle field trial, the regular classes shall be:

Open Dogs not exceeding 13 inches in height.

Open Bitches not exceeding 13 inches in height.

Open Dogs over 13 inches but not exceeding 15 inches in height.

Open Bitches over 13 inches but not exceeding 15 inches in height.

However, if when the entries are closed, it is found that there are fewer than six hounds eligible to compete in any class, the Field Trial Committee shall have the option of combining that class either by gender or size into a single class.

Bd. Pg. 12 August 10-11, 2009

Beagle Field Trials – Licensing Federation Trials

There was a motion by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Dr. Battaglia, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to approve a change to Beagle Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedures for Brace, Small Pack and Small Pack Option Field Trials and Two-Couple Pack Hunting Tests, Chapter 3, Section 1 and Beagle Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedures for Large Pack Field Trials, Chapter 3, Section 1 to grant license status to events held by Beagle Field Trial Federations (group of local Beagle Field Trial clubs).

This will be read at the September 2009 Delegate meeting for a vote at the December 2009 Delegate meeting. The amended sections read as follows (underlined):

Beagle Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedures for Brace, Small Pack and Small Pack

Option Field Trials and Two-Couple Pack Hunting Tests

Chapter 3, Section 1. A club, association or federation which wishes to hold a licensed or member field trial must apply to The American Kennel Club on a form which will be supplied on request to clubs which meet the requirements of The American Kennel Club. The form must be received by the American Kennel Club ninety (90) days prior to the first day of the field trial. Applications received less than the ninety day requirement may be approved provided a penalty is paid by the club. This application will be referred to the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club, which will consider it and notify the club of its approval or disapproval. 

A Beagle Association or Federation which has been approved by the American Kennel Club may hold one licensed Field Trial and one licensed Two-Couple Pack event per calendar year.

Beagle Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedures for Large Pack Field Trials,

Chapter 3, Section 1. A club, association or federation which wishes to hold a licensed or member field trial must apply to The American Kennel Club on a form which will be supplied on request to clubs which meet the requirements of The American Kennel Club. This application will be referred to the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club, which will consider it and notify the club of its approval or disapproval.

A Beagle Association or Federation which has been approved by the American Kennel Club may hold one licensed Field Trial and one licensed Two-Couple Pack event per calendar year.

Coonhound Regulations – Chapter 7, Section 17

There was a motion by Mr. Marden, seconded by Mr. Arnold, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to delete Chapter 7, Section 17 of the Regulations for AKC Coonhound bench Shows, Field Trials, Nite Hunts and Water Races effective immediately.

English Springer Spaniel Field Trials – Judging/Business Relationships

The Board reviewed a request submitted by the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association to change the field trial rules to forbid an individual from judging a professional dog trainer within one year from the time that they have had a business relationship. This will be discussed further at the October meeting.