Sun, 02/27/2022 - 7:16pm

Here We Go Again!

AKC makes yet-another revision to its judging approval process

The AKC has done it again.

It has now changed – or, as they say, “modified” – the judging approval process, which will be in effect May 1, 2022. There is a Chairman’s Committee (which I have never heard of) that is intended to further improve the quality of judging AKC conformation dog shows. I believe that some of the previous judging approval processes have contributed to the lack of quality of some judges.

When I first started judging, the judging approval process was one for one and then the two for two, etc. It took me around 10 years to get my first group. This process that they are beginning in May 2022 looks lots like the old system of Mr. Brumby, who was at that time the “King of AKC”: If you were in his good graces, you got any breeds or groups you wanted – or what Mr. Brumby wanted you to have. At that time there were lots of people who were very much respected in the sport of dogs, and in some ways that is a good thing. We still have some of those types of people in our sport who would qualify under Mr. Brumby’s process of approving or appointing breeds and groups to certain people.

This new process is below:

“Acting on recommendations brought forth from the Chairman’s Committee on Judging Approval and Staff, the Board approved modifications to the Judging Approval Process to be effective May 1, 2022.  These enhancements are consistent with the evolutionary direction of the Chairman’s Committee and intended to further improve the quality of judging at AKC conformation dog shows. A summary of the revisions is provided below which impact New Breed applicants, Additional Breed applicants, and Foreign Judges. 

Eligible fanciers will be permitted to apply for up to one complete group or the equivalent number of breeds in the largest group (not to exceed a complete group) on their first application. Acceptance of each individual breed application will remain dependent on the applicant meeting the criteria as a breeder, owner, and/or exhibitor in that breed.

Policy will allow dispensation for first time applicants with exemplary qualifications seeking the acceptance of an application for a complete group on their first application, but who do not meet the requirements of 12-5-4 or NB Alternate Method for all breeds in that group. Any request for dispensation under this provision would be approved by the Board.

Establishes an “Advancement Designation” for current judges. Under this provision, staff may identify and nominate judges for advancement based on their experience, history of observation reports, correspondence from the fancy, conduct and demeanor.  The provision will provide two benchmarks; those approved for at least four groups may be advanced for up to a full group, and judges approved for at least two groups may be advanced for ½ of a group.  Nominees are to be presented to the Board of Directors by staff for consideration; those approved would be designated for advancement.

Increase the number of breeds a Foreign Judge who has established permanent residency in the United States and wishes to apply under the AKC system to up to one complete group on their initial application. To qualify the foreign judge must meet specific experience requirements including but not limited to the number of years judging AKC events and assignments completed in the breeds requested.  Foreign judges meeting the experience criteria who have not established residency in the US and wish to judge more than eight days of shows per year will continue to be eligible to apply for up to 14 breeds. 

The Judging Approval Process displaying the revisions effective May 1, 2022, has been added to the AKC website in the Conformation Judges Resource Center.  Please be sure to refer to the proper version when referring to the policy as links to access both the current and the revised versions will be available on the AKC website until the May 1st effective date.”

What interests me is the second part of this revision. It states “Advancement Designation”:

Under this provision, staff may identify and nominate judges for advancement based on their experience, history of observation reports, correspondence from the fancy, conduct and demeanor. The provision will provide two benchmarks; those approved for at least four groups may be advanced for up to a full group, and judges approved for at least two groups may be advanced for ½ of a group. Nominees are to be presented to the Board of Directors by staff for consideration; those approved would be designated for advancement.

How much would politics get involved with staff’s nominations for advancement based on the judge’s experience, history of observation reports, correspondence from the fancy, conduct and demeanor? The last part – “conduct and demeanor” – interest me. I, for instance, behave somewhat differently in and out of the ring. Outside of the ring I wear my sparkle hat and I do not wear it inside the ring. I may be different outside the ring with less seriousness than I have in the ring. I have no friends or enemies in the ring as I am judging the dogs and I love all the dogs, but outside I have friends who I will acknowledge and I try not to have enemies outside the ring. I am not saying that staff will let politics get involved, but the perception will certainly be there. What staff will that be? Will the AKC board have any influence on the selection of those chosen to get a group or parts of groups? It will be very interesting to see how this will play out.

The Board also approved a modification to the Judges Misconduct Policy.  The change pertains to how disciplined judges are managed once they have paid their fine and there is a known end date to their suspension. I think “managed” is a strange choice of words. But that being said, I also wonder why this modification is being put into effect now. Below is the actual Board modification.

“The Board approved a modification to the Judges Misconduct Policy. The change pertains to how disciplined judges are managed once they have paid their fine and there is a known end date to their suspension.  The Judges will be allowed to be approved on panels after the end date of the suspension as is currently permitted but will not be published in the online directory until the period of suspension has expired. The affected area of the Judges Misconduct Policy found within the Board Policy Manual on the AKC website has been updated to reflect this revision.”

I hope all works out for this judging approval process and judging misconduct policy, but if it does not … stand by. It will change again in a couple of years.

 

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