Summary of the ANKC Conference held in Brisbane on 24 & 25 October, 2008

At the October ANKC Conference, the Delegates resolved/considered the following:

1. ANKC MAIN CONFERENCE

1.1 Grand Champion Title

Delegates resolved that the qualifications required to attain Grand Champion Title will the following for all applications lodged with Member Bodies after 1 January 2010:

• 1,000 points including
• 1 All Breeds Best in Show; and
• 4 Best in Group; or
• 4 Certificates of 25 points. (these could be Group, BOB or Challenge)

1.2 ANKC Regulations Part 11 - Earthdog Tests

Delegates resolved to endorse the amendments to Regulations Part 11 relating to Earthdog Tests to be effective from 1 January 2009.

1.3 Dancing With Dogs

It was resolved to recognize Dancing with Dogs as an ANKC activity and endorse the new Rules for the Conduct of Dancing with Dogs to be effective from 1 January 2009.

Dancing with Dog entry forms will be available in electronic format from Member Body websites.  These forms are to be downloaded, printed off and posted to the organization conducting the event.

1.4 ANKC Rules for the Conduct of Obedience Trials

It was resolved to adopt the amendments to the Rules for the Conduct of Obedience Trials to be effective from 1 January 2009.

1.5 ANKC Rules for the Conduct of Tracking Trials

It was resolved to adopt the amendments to the Rules for the Conduct of Tracking Trials to be effective from 1 January 2009.

1.6 ANKC Rules for the Conduct of Endurance Tests

It was resolved to adopt the amended Rules for the Conduct of Endurance Tests to be effective from 1 January 2009.

These rules replace the previous ANKC Regulations Part 12.

1.7 ANKC Rules for the Conduct of Track and Search Trials

It was resolved to adopt the new Rules for Track and Search Trials to be effective from 1 January, 2009.  These trials are an extension of the Tracking discipline and will allow dogs who have their Tracking Champion titles to now continue competing in Tracking trials.

Current Tracking Judges will be eligible to judge these trials.

1.8 ANKC Rules for the Conduct of Field Trials for Pointer & Setters

It was resolved to adopt the amendments to the Rules for the Conduct of Field Trials for Pointer & Setters to be effective from 1 January 2009.

1.9 ANKC Rules for the Conduct of Field Trials for Utility Gundogs

It was resolved to adopt the amendments to the Rules for the Conduct of Field Trials for Utility Gundogs to be effective from 1 January 2009.

1.10 ANKC Rules for the Conduct of Utility Gundog Ability Tests

It was resolved to adopt the new Rules for the Conduct of Utility Gundog Ability Tests to be effective from 1 January 2009.

1.11 National Junior Handler

Delegates resolved for a National Junior Handler Committee to be formed to deal with a number of issues relating to the Junior Handler Competition including the sponsorship of the National Winner to participate at International Junior Handler competitions.

1.12 Reserve & Runner Up Awards

It was resolved for the ANKC to issue a statement to all members via the State and Territory Member Bodies and also to the major canine publications regarding the use of correct terminology for Reserve and Runner Up awards.

The term “Reserve” is to be used only in relation to challenges, i.e.. Reserve Challenge. All other awards are to be designated Runner Up, i.e. Runner Up Best of Breed, Runner Up to Best in Group and Runner Up to Best in Show as outlined in ANKC Regulations Part 5 Section 4.

1.13 National Conformation Committee

Delegates resolved to establish a National Conformation Show Committee with a view to the drafting and implementation of a national set of rules for Conformation Shows.

1.14 ANKC Regulations Part 5

Delegates resolved to amend Regulations Part 5 by removing the wording “Special or” from Section 1, Clause 1.1.

Section 1
Clause 1.1 Classes for Exhibit at a Show General Classes (2) "Minor Puppy" - For dogs aged six and under nine months.

1.15 ANKC Regulations Part 8

It was resolved that ANKC Regulation Part 8, Section 6 (Stationery/Certificates) Clause 6.2 be amended by removing the wording “cheque book style” so it reads:

“6.2 Entry Forms
Uniform National entry forms must be used by all affiliates of Member Bodies except where the National Committee of a discipline has agreed the design of a different entry form, that form shall be used for all entries within that discipline by all affiliates of Member Bodies.”

1.16 ANKC Regulations Part 7

Delegates resolved that ANKC Regulations Part 7, Trial, Section 1.2, be amended to read:

1.2 Gundog Working Tests
Gundog Working Tests shall be deemed to be a domestic matter.

1.17 Registration of Frozen Semen

Delegates resolved that the ANKC Policy on registration of frozen semen not be mandatory.

1.18 Working Koolie Association Australia

Delegates resolved that:

• the Working Koolie Association Australia be recognised as an ANKC Recognised Working Dog Association or Kindred Body.
• Koolie dogs registered with the Working Koolie Association be permitted to be registered on the ANKC Sporting Register.

1.19 Exhibition of Docked Dogs

It was resolved to rescind the resolution made at the ANKC 2006 Conference regarding the endorsement for docked breeds to continue to be allowed to participate at all events held under the auspice of the ANKC and State Controlling Bodies.

1.20 Welfare of Dogs

Delegates resolved that the ANKC considers that the health and physical welfare of dogs is of prime importance and is reviewing and will continue to review Breed Standards to reflect this policy.

2. NATIONAL BREED STANDARDS COMMITTEE

2.1 Australian Cattle Dog Referendum

Delegates endorsed the results of the Australian Cattle Dog colour description referendum where overwhelming support was received for the current colour description to remain in the breed standard.

Existing Colour Description to remain is as follows:

Blue - The colour should be blue, blue-mottled or blue speckled with or without other markings. The permissible markings are black, blue or tan markings on the head, evenly distributed for preference. The forelegs tan midway up the legs and extending up the front to breast and throat, with tan on jaws; the hindquarters tan on inside of hind legs, and inside of thighs, showing down the front of the stifles and broadening out to the outside of the hind legs from hock to toes. Tan undercoat is permissible on the body providing it does not show through the blue outer coat. Black markings on the body are not desirable. Red Speckle - The colour should be of good even red speckle all over, including the undercoat, (neither white nor cream), with or without darker red markings on the head. Even head markings are desirable. Red markings on the body are permissible but not desirable.

2.2 Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog (ASTCD) – Development Register

Delegates resolved that:

• Rule 9 of the Procedure for the Conduct of the Australian Stumpy-Tail Cattle Dog Development Register be rescinded and the following wording put in its place:

Rule 9. As from 1st January 2009 the progeny of “Class A” classified registered animals with purebred registered animals or “Class A” with “Class A” shall be registered on the Main Register subject to inspection by three {3}  Judges that the animals are “true to type”; this procedure to continue until there are no A.S.T.C.D’s classified as “Class A” left on the Development Register. The Rules of each Member Body shall be amended accordingly.

• The procedure for the conduct of the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Development be up dated to reflect the current situation since the closure of the register on 31/12/2006 subject to all Member Bodies being involved.

2.3 Bull Terrier/Miniature Bull Terrier Inter variety Breeding

Delegates resolved that:

• the current ANKC policy for the interbreeding of the Bull Terrier and the Bull Terrier Miniature be extended for a further five (5) years until 31 December, 2013 with a review to occur at the 2013 annual ANKC Conference.  All progeny resulting from the interbreeding must be registered as Bull Terrier Miniature.
• the parentage of the progeny be noted on the pedigree as either miniature or standard bull terrier if feasible.

2.4 Italian Pointing Dog (Bracco Italiano)

Delegates resolved that the name of the breed known as the “Italian Pointing Dog” be altered to the “Bracco Italiano”.

2.5 Name of New Breeds

Delegates resolved that with new breeds, the name of the dog to be used is the name in common usage around the world.

2.6 Breed Standard Amendments

The following amended Breed Standards were adopted:

• Keeshond
• Foxhound
• Bull Terrier
• English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
• Japanese Spitz
• Shetland Sheepdog

2.7 Health & Welfare Statement

Delegates resolved that the Health & Welfare statement noted below is to be included in all ANKC adopted breed Standards, including Australian breeds, FCI, AKC, CKC and Pre 1987 Kennel Club London Standards be endorsed.

“Faults  Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.”

2.8 Breed Standard Extensions

Delegates resolved that:

• before a PowerPoint (PP) or any other version of a Breed Standard Extension (BSE) can be accepted as a BSE by the ANKC and/or a Member Body it must follow the ANKC procedure for approval of all other BSE.
• where a National Breed Council (NBC) has failed to produce a BSE for their breed, the ANKC will write to them advising that if a BSE has not been received by the ANKC Breed Standards Coordination Group (NBSCG) by 30 June 2009 then the NBSCG will produce the BSE without consultation with the National Breed Council.

2.9 Translation of Breed Standards

Delegates resolved that the ANKC amend all ANKC adopted FCI breed Standards so that they are identical to the official English translation of the FCI Standard, in accordance with ANKC policy.

2.10 Allowable Colours

Delegates reaffirmed that only those dogs with colours actually mentioned in their breed standard will be allowed to be registered on the ANKC Main Register.   Dogs with colours other than those mentioned in their breed standard can only be registered with the ANKC on the Limited Register and marked not to be upgraded.

2.11 ANKC Regulations Part 6

Delegates resolved to amend Regulations Part 6 as follows:

Inclusion of Clauses 3.6 and 3.7:

3.6 Animals registered on the ANKC Main Register that are exported from Australia and then at a latter date imported back into Australia are to revert to their original ANKC Registration Number and ANKC Registered Name, without the addition of a prefix and/or suffix or include the “Imp” suffix either, but will include any titles gained while overseas that has been issued by a body recognised by the ANKC.

3.7 Exhibits imported into Australia that are registered with a recognised overseas canine controlling body are eligible to be exhibited and used for breeding in Australia for up to three [3] months while registered in the name of the overseas owner.   After three [3] months the imported exhibit must be transferred to a resident of Australia who is a financial members of the ANKC Member Body in the State or Territory in which they reside.

Inclusion of sub clauses 5 and 6 under 9.10:

5. The progeny of a variety other than its parents is registered in the ANKC Stud Book as per its variety.   eg.  A Tervueren born from two Groenendael parents is registered as a Tervueren.)   This Tervueren is marked by a (G) on the Registration and Pedigree denoting that its parents are Groenendael.

Note: When the parents are:
Groenendael. the progeny are marked with a (G)
Tervueren the progeny are marked with a (T)
Laekenois the progeny are marked with a (L)
Malinois the progeny are marked with a (M)

Matings later on of such a descendent are only allowed with a breeding partner of the same variety.    The progeny of the inter-variety breeding are not to be issued Export Certificates, as most countries will not allow the registration of progeny resulting from inter-variety breeding.

6. Not withstanding 5 above the progeny of a variety other than its parents cannot be registered on either the Main or Limited Register if the three [3] previous generations are the same.   (eg  If all dogs for three [3] generations are the same variety, but are different to the progeny then the progeny is illegible to be registered by the ANKC.

3. NATIONAL BREED COUNCILS LIAISON COMMITTEE

3.1 Australian Championship Title

Delegates resolved that the wording for the Australian Championship Title to read:

“Providing the registered owners are financial members of an ANKC recognised controlling body, any dog owned by them that fulfils the requirements for the granting of a Championship Title, or any other title, may be granted such title/s by the State Controlling Body of which the they are a member, regardless of the domicility of the dog or regardless of where the points were gained.  Should the dog be co-owned in more than one State, the title/s can be granted by any of the State Controlling Bodies of which they are a member.”

Approval is on the basis that the event/trial was conducted according to ANKC rules and that the controlling body complied with ANKC rules when awarding the points.

3.2 ANKC Regulations Part 13

It was resolved to amend Regulations Part 13 as follows:

Clause 4.2.4 of Regulations Part 13 to read:

The ANKC may approve a date/s for a National Show to be held at the same time as a Capital City Royal Show if all of the following points are met:

- where the National Show is to be held in the same State/Territory Capital City Royal Show
- exhibitors can compete in both events including General Specials (Best in Show) at both shows
- the Member Body has received written confirmation from the Royal Show that the particular breed will be judged on a day other than the proposed National Show date/s.

Clause 4.2.5 of Regulations Part 13 to read:

Where a National Show is held, no Challenge Certificates shall be awarded for the breed/s involved in the National Show, within a radius of 500km from the show on that day/s.  

The change to Regulations 13 Part 4.2.5 to be implemented from 1 January 2010.

3.3 Dangerous Dog/Breed Specific Legislation

Delegates resolved that an ANKC approved Press Release is to be issued to Member Bodies for publication in their next gazette/journals seeking submissions from Breed Clubs which do not have a National Breed Council in relation to dangerous dog/breed specific legislation.  These submissions will then be sent to the National Canine Welfare Committee.

3.4 Change of Registration Status

Delegates resolved that in accordance with colour and health limitations, the ANKC confirm that all purebred dogs from main registered purebred parents are eligible for main or limit registration at the discretion of the breeder, and that change of registration status can only occur at the request of the breeder.

3.5 Border Collie – Country of Development

Delegates resolved to rescind the resolution made at the October 2007 ANKC Conference to advise the FCI that as the ANKC is the Country of Development for Border Collies that the FCI should adopt the ANKC Breed Standard for the Border Collie NOT the Kennel Club (England).

3.6 Australian Canine Eye Scheme (ACES)

It was resolved for the ANKC to request further changes to the wording of the ACES documents.

These changes together with other concerns are to be addressed by the ANKC President at a meeting with the AVA Ophthalmologists Panel.

4. NATIONAL SHOW JUDGES TRAINING COMMITTEE

4.1 Supplementary Theory and Practical Exams

It was resolved that from the commencement of the 2009 Training Year the supplementary theory and practical exams are to be abolished.

TRACEY BARRY
ADMINISTRATOR