Question of the Week

Roxanne Sutton

Crystal River, Florida

I understand having multiple regional specialties in different areas of the U.S.; it makes perfect sense. However, having eight national specialties dilutes the meaning and importance of what a national-specialty win signifies. The AKC has already diminished the value of being an American champion and the quality required to achieve that title. For instance, it takes only four Rottweiler males or bitches for a three-point major in Pennsylvania and New York, but not in Montana.

The same number of Norfolk Terriers and Rottweilers are required for a major, which seems illogical. In low-entry breeds, only five points are needed to become a judge. Does the AKC believe it is easier to breed, whelp and/or tube-feed these low-entry breeds? Do they think there is less time involved in training, grooming, raising and showing these breeds? Diluting quality does not improve anything. It is unfortunate to see the direction the AKC is heading.

William K. Brokken, M.D.

Santa Barbara, California

Adding more shows to an already bloated number of specialty shows is the best idea to add fuel to the fire consuming our entries. The AKC has taken purchase of Walt Kelly's Pogo's "We have met the enemy and he is us!"

Wyoma Clouss

Meridian, Idaho

My reaction is IRRITATION! For many years, the American Miniature Schnauzer Club had three national specialties. It worked well: one national specialty in the West, one in the Midwest, one in the East. This is a big country, and our system allowed people to participate in areas without having to travel 3,000 miles. Our three nationals were each a big deal! AKC, in their wisdom, decided we could only have one national, so the winner could be invited to Crufts — duh, no cropped or docked dogs allowed anyway. There we were, disenfranchised, entries discouraged. So along with all the many other factors affecting dog shows in the years since … I’m irritated, to say the least.  

Marlene Groves

Kiowa, Colorado

I think there should be one national specialty a year for a breed. As for regional specialties, I think most “breed regions” are far too large and that makes things logistically difficult. People want more local events: They are simpler to coordinate, simpler and more affordable to attend, and it would serve to build a breed community. So, for me, I am a strong advocate for more local specialty clubs, and more local specialty events. The AKC policy supports this; however, some breed clubs don’t like the idea, so it’s like a hill the breed dies a bit on, rather than thrives on.

Now please allow me to make a plug for the need for regional Junior events — not just the AKC national show in Florida, but regional events, like the NOHS regionals. This would give Juniors whose parents cannot afford or get the time off to attend Orlando a closer option, where Juniors can participate but also be celebrated! 

As the president of the Colorado Junior Foundation (now expanding to also include Wyoming, and we have strong interest from Nebraska and other areas), I would welcome contact and communication from others who like this idea and who may be willing to help starting additional Junior foundations, which could be the place for regional Junior events.

Mary Anne Brocious

Milford, Michigan

This will allow national breed clubs to assist local groups that are not approved to conduct specialties to offer specialties to regions that may be underserved. They could conduct events in conjunction with all-breed shows in their area, bringing more entries to the local show and having an opportunity to display their dogs to the public. Often these local clubs are inexperienced in putting on specialties and will need assistance from the local all-breed club show chair in the process of putting on a specialty (independent, concurrent or designated). It is worth it to encourage more people to show their dogs. Take it from someone who knows. Local breed clubs do appreciate anything you can do to help them encourage exhibitors, meet and greet the general public, and they will enjoy showcasing their breed at a special event.

Susan Burge

Brecksville, Ohio

Boy, that is a loaded question. I am still trying to recover from the Poodle Club of America National Specialty in April at Purina Farms. I cannot image multiple national specialties, at least in our breed. Our club encourages our affiliate clubs (we have about 35 active affiliate clubs) to offer specialties, and PCA supplies a special BOB medallion. Several smaller affiliate clubs use concurrent or classes designated at the all-breed as their specialty. In the past we have had regional specialties (two or more affiliate clubs offer specialties and national PCA does a national specialty with them — this would be in additional to our traditional April specialty). Again, the workload is overwhelming.

Peggy Kenney

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Having that many — up to eight — certainly diminishes the value of winning/placing at one. I could foresee there being some arguments for having a national in multiple geographic  venues — i.e., one each north and south, or east/west — possibly rotating the  venue  from year to year. But certainly not more than one in a nearby location to the prior. Thereby giving exhibitors a close location at least one in four or one in two years.

Diane McClurg

Gainesville, Texas

I believe the number the specialties that are held can be attributed to the "breeders" finding that the all-breed judges are not fully educated about their breed.

Hence, the "breeder" judges are hired for the specialty shows.

Another issue is that the pool of judges is getting smaller due to aging of our judges, along with the cost to hire a judge, which includes transportation and housing.

Janice M. Leonard

Denver, Colorado

Multiple specialties at the local level sometimes are the only fund-raiser for those clubs. I think four max. Two and two at least four months apart. There should only be one national a year. That is what makes it truly SPECIAL!

Matthew Townsend

Mebane, North Carolina

In AKC structure, breed clubs are specialty clubs. These may be recognized as either parent clubs (national) or local specialty clubs (regional), depending on their assigned territory and scope.

Parent clubs are allowed to hold an unlimited number of specialties each year — these can be independent, concurrent, designated or evening specialties. Among these, one may be designated as the official designated national specialty.

Local specialty clubs may hold up to four independent specialties per calendar year (including concurrent or evening shows). If they are hosting their event in conjunction with the national specialty, they may be permitted to hold a fifth independent specialty. In addition, they may offer up to four designated specialties, potentially allowing for a total of nine specialties per year.

Many breeds also have unrecognized regional clubs that operate as de facto local specialty clubs. When these groups host events under the parent club's license or member status, those shows are national specialties put on by the parent club and are not limited by the same AKC policy that governs actual local specialty clubs.

Inge Semenschin

Richmond, California

I never see the specialties being a problem, as many breeds hope to get their majors at a specialty. Also I see many specials at a specialty that you normally do not see. It might be good for the rare breeds, which are so hard to see or judge. Especially if they are spread out all over.

Pam Mandeville

Somerset, New Jersey

I am curious who wanted this and the reasoning behind it. It means a breed could have either a regional or national specialty every month of the year. How "special" is that? Will the best dogs in the breed be at all of them? And having just had our local specialty last weekend, I can't really imagine doing it again next month and the month after and the month after ... either as an exhibitor or club member.  

Beverly Vics

The Villages, Florida

When I first started showing dogs, back in the ’60s, we had several shows on Long Island, where I lived. The Bronx County Kennel Club was my first show. It was there I was bitten with the dog-show bug. There were also the Queensboro and Staten Island kennel clubs, and Riverhead Kennel Club, which was out east.

I don't think any of these clubs now have their shows on Long Island or anywhere in the New York City area. They seem to be all held in West Springfield, Massachusetts, where there are hundreds of shows each year. Yet NONE are held on Long Island, Staten Island, the Bronx or Manhattan (except Westminster, thank you, which does not represent the average dog show).

My question would be: Do you think the AKC should return to requiring clubs to have at least one show per year within their geographical territory?