The American Kennel Club he American Kennel Club was founded in MISSION STATEMENT T 1884. It operates the world’s largest registry of purebred dogs and is the nation’s leading not- The American Kennel Club is for-profit organization devoted to the study, breeding, exhibiting, and advancement of purebred dogs. In dedicated to upholding the integrity 2006, the AKC sanctioned and regulated 20,039 com­ petitive dog events. The AKC approves, sanctions, and of its Registry, promoting the sport regulates the events of its 594 member clubs. In addi­ tion, 4,162 licensed and sanctioned clubs hold events of purebred dogs and breeding for under AKC Rules and Regulations. The AKC advocates canine good health and respon­ type and function. Founded in sible ownership, and is a leader in the international canine community. It serves the “fancy”—the dedicated 1884, the AKC and its affiliated breeders, exhibitors, judges, handlers, Delegates, dog organizations advocate for the owners, and other enthusiasts who make the sport of dogs a cherished institution. purebred dog as a family As a “club of clubs,” the AKC has no individual mem­ bers. Each member club may be represented by one companion, advance canine health voting Delegate at quarterly meetings. AKC policy is set by a 13-member Board of Directors, elected by the and well-being, work to protect the Delegate Body. The Board elects a Chairman, who pre­ sides at meetings scheduled for eight times a year. The rights of all dog owners and President/CEO serves as an ex officio Board Member. The AKC provides financial and administrative support promote responsible dog ownership. to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, which underwrites scientific research to safeguard and advance the health of purebred dogs. The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog, also supported by the AKC, promotes knowledge and appreciation of purebred dogs through its famous collection of canine art and artifacts. The American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery Corporation, an affiliate organization of the AKC, is dedicated to reuniting owners and lost pets. The AKC is managed by a staff directed by the President/Chief Executive Officer. AKC Operations, in Raleigh, North Carolina, is under the direct supervi­ sion of the Chief Operating Officer. 1 Table of Contents Board of Directors 4 Chairman’s/ President’s Message 6 Events 9 Event Operations American Mosaic Dog Show Judges Performance Events Coonhound Events Companion Events Junior Showmanship Administration 17 Executive Secretary Internal Consulting Group Marketing and Licensing Audit and Control his report refers frequently to the “sport of Human Resources T purebred dogs.” It’s a handy phrase that invokes what the American Kennel Club is all Integrity 23 about, but it’s a bit of a misnomer. Registration and Customer Services The sport of purebred dogs is actually many Compliance Operations sports: a prestigious big-town dog show con­ Legal ducted in black tie and formal wear, a coon hunt in the backwoods of Tennessee, a herd­ Information 27 ing event on a remote Montana cattle ranch, Information Services an agility trial in a suburban park, and many Communications other venues designed to suit any inclination, both human and canine. Canine Legislation Those who participate in our events repre­ Public Education sent a similar diversity. The nation’s purebred Club Educational Services dog fancy encompasses 50 states and Puerto Canine Good Citizen Rico, and people from all walks of life and Publications every age group fit comfortably beneath the AKC banner. We dedicate our report to this far- Supported and Affiliate Organizations 35 flung and varied constituency, especially the AKC Companion Animal Recovery individuals who have made a lasting impact on AKC Museum of the Dog their chosen realm. We can present just a few AKC Canine Health Foundation of these leaders here. Behind them stand thou­ sands of others whose passionate interest in dogs is as divergent as the breeds they love. AKC/Eukanuba National Championship 36 Whether they pursue their avocation in tuxe­ AKC Award Winners 41 dos or in overalls, they all play a vital part in the Financial Management 43 preservation and advancement of a diverse yet cohesive institution—an American mosaic Financial Statements i called the sport of purebred dogs. AKC Officers and Staff xii The dog show, or “conformation show,” has been the AKC’s signature event since the club’s founding in 1884. In 2006, the AKC sanctioned and regulated 1,519 all-breed dog shows with 1,710,625 entries. A total 22,164 conformation champion titles were earned. 3 Board of Directors 4 Class of 2007 Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia Dr. Patricia H. Haines Patti L. Strand Class of 2008 Dr. Thomas M. Davies Walter F. Goodman Ronald H. Menaker Class of 2009 Dr. J. Charles Garvin Steven D. Gladstone Hon. David C. Merriam Patricia C. Scully Class of 2010 David Keene Dr. William R. Newman Nina Schaefer Dennis B. Sprung EX OFFICIO The 2006 AKC Board of Directors at the Long Beach Convention Center for the December AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Left to right: Dr. Patricia H. Haines, Steven D. Gladstone, Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia, David Keene, Patti L. Strand, Hon. David C. Merriam, Ronald H. Menaker, Dr. William R. Newman, Walter F. Goodman, Dr. Thomas M. Davies, Patricia C. Scully, Nina Schaefer, Dennis B. Sprung, and Dr. J. Charles Garvin. 5 Message From the Chairman and President high of 60 percent of total litters registered. Dogs registered online comprised almost 25 percent of dogs registered for that month. Breeders also enjoyed new services such as the Full Litter Registration option and continuing education with the AKC Breeders’ Symposia. We invited our clubs to send historic items or collections to our archives, now managed by a full-time archivist. We continued to develop unique programs and public-service initiatives in the interest of all American dog owners. Our Canine Legislation department monitored more than 650 federal, state, and municipal bills and ordinances, including more than 80 cities and counties considering breed- specific legislation. The AKC hosted a fourth Lobby he American Kennel Club began as a “club of Day on Capitol Hill to further educate federal decision- T clubs” 122 years ago as the governing body makers about the rights of dog owners. of dog shows and field trials, and as the We met with leaders of such like-minded organiza­ national registry of purebred dogs. Today’s AKC, the tions as the American Veterinary Medical Association largest and oldest not-for-profit all-breed registry, on endorsing the federal Pets Evacuation and encompasses a community of nearly 5,000 affiliated Transportation Standards Act (PETS) and other initia­ clubs, tens of thousands of dedicated volunteer club tives that benefit dog owners. PETS, requiring that pet- members, and millions of purebred dog enthusiasts. owning households be included in emergency- Serving this wide and varied constituency is a hard­ preparedness plans, passed in Congress and was working, talented staff of 437 employees in our corpo­ signed by President Bush. To bolster our support of rate headquarters in Manhattan, operations center in disaster readiness, the AKC worked with the U.S. Raleigh, and in the field across the country. Department of Homeland Security on its pet-related In 2006, the AKC sanctioned more than 20,000 con­ “Ready” brochure. In cooperation with AKC Companion formation, companion, and performance events. Animal Recovery, we created a staff position to coordi­ Nearly 3.1 million entries in titling events represented nate efforts among local clubs and state and federal an increase of 11 percent over 2005. The AKC- authorities during times of disaster. sanctioned 2006 Decatur County World’s Largest Our commitment to public education advances Coon Hunt, held in Tennessee, raised a record- responsible dog ownership in many ways, from sending breaking $208,000 for the St. Jude Children’s the AKC Information Booth to 122 venues in 2006 to Research Hospital. releasing the 20th edition of The Complete Dog Book. Breeders embraced AKC web-based services. In The AKC also provided 4,000 public-education volun­ December, online litter registration reached an all-time teers with specialized training and materials. 6 The AKC Veterinary Network Certificate program Other thriving marketing programs include the Chase now offers all newly registered puppies a complimen­ AKC Visa Card, Bayer Animal Healthcare as the new tary first visit to one of more than 2,700 participating sponsor of AKC Canine Good Citizen, and a registra­ veterinary practices. tion-incentive program sponsored by dog.com. More Our Communications department reached millions than 850,000 subscribers received the complimentary through our public-service announcements, working monthly e-newsletter “Your AKC,” offering quality diligently with the media, and promoting our pro­ resources to enhance the dog-and-owner relationship, grams and services to the nation’s dog owners. The and 100,000 breeders received “AKC Breeder,” our new department also coordinated September’s fourth publication serving those who make it possible for us to annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day, where love and own purebred dogs. 360 AKC-affiliated clubs and other dog organizations Future professionals—veterinarians, veterinarian held local celebrations in conjunction with flagship technicians, and junior handlers—received a total events in Raleigh and New York. $232,000 in scholarships. Juniors seminars, present­ Through the generous support of the Iams Company, ed by our Registered Handlers and sponsored by we held two AKC/Eukanuba National Championships in Oster, nurtured young fanciers. 2006: at Tampa, Florida, in January and at Long Beach, Our commitment to health research continued in California, in December. These invitation-only events, 2006 with a donation to the AKC Canine Health with their unique Bred-by-Exhibitor competition, were Foundation of $1.2 million, bringing our to-date total simulcast live to millions of dog lovers on Animal Planet contributions to $15 million.