Winter 2016  Saber Tails 27    

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America

Cont’d from previous page

influencial factor in decreasing the gene pool given that 

other quality males are not used.  He cautioned against 

eliminating from a breeding program a carrier with 

otherwise good qualities.  He recommended thought-

ful breeding, testing, and then replacing the carrier 

with a clear from a subsequent litter.  He also reported 

that the #1 genetic disorder in canines is allergies.  Dr. 

Bell stressed that we need to consciously select against 

health problems, not just select for quality features.

Delegates’ Meeting, 9-12-16

Mr. Dennis Sprung, AKC President, introduced the people 

seated at the dais.  Delegates voted on candidates run-

ning for the Standing Committees.  Mr. Jim Crowley, AKC 

Executive Secretary, read the names of the 13 Delegates 

seated since the last meeting.  Delegates voted 3 clubs 

into AKC membership: the Berger Picard Club of America, 

the Hendersonville Kennel Club, and the Irish Red and 

White Setter Club of America.

President’s Report

Mr.  Sprung offered a very moving tribute to the events 

of 9-11-01.  On that day, 288 Delegates attended the 

meeting in Newark, NJ.  Of those attending that day, 93 

of us are still serving.  The AKC’s DOGNY program was 

reviewed with many poignant memories and photos.

CEO’s Report

Mr. Joe Baffuto reported continued financial success 

as of Aug. 31, 2016.  Total revenues of $43 mil and total 

expenses of $39.4 yielded operational income of $4.4 mil, 

somewhat less than the $5.7 mil of 2015.  Registrations 

are up 7% for litters and up 11% for dogs.  Registration 

items, royalties and sponsorships, Ecommerce, and the 

marketplace are all significantly improved.  AKC invest-

ments are up 4.4% in unrealized gain.

Amendments

The proposed amendment to Chapter 3, Sections 4, 5, 7, 

17, and 19 of the Rules Applying to Dog Shows was ap-

proved.  This changes the italicized portions to become 

part of the rule, not a Board clarification, with no change 

to the wording.  The last paragraph included in Section 

4 pertaining to the Puppy Class was added to Section 5 

pertaining to the 12-18 Month Class.  In a single show 

with multiple days of judging, the first day of the show 

is considered to be the first day of regular conformation 

judging and is the day used to calculate the age of the en-

try.  [This wouldn’t be a concern to specialties with a more 

modest number of entries, but in large specialties with 

entries of 500+, it would be difficult to know exactly when, 

e.g., the 12—18 month bitch class might be held.] 

The proposed amemdment to Chapter 6, Section 9 of the 

Rules Applying to Dog Shows for Premium Lists and Clos-

ing of entries would allow entries in any form to be accept-

ed for 24 hours after the closing date and time when it falls 

on a postal holiday.  The amendment was approved.

Mr. Crowley read the proposed amendment extending the 

closing deadline to no later than 11:59 PM.  Mr. Carl Ashby 

reported for the Political Action Committee that $37,000 

has been raised to date compared to $45,000 in 2012, the 

first year of the PAC.  The PAC funds candidates running for 

office who are in support of our causes.  

Mr. Crowley recognized 6 Delegates who have served 25 

years adding to the 104 Delegates previously recognized.  

He also recognized 3 clubs for celebrating 100 years of AKC 

membership.   Mr. Crowley read the report of the Nomi-

nating Committee for the AKC Board of Directors, Class 

of 2021.  Nominated to the Board are Rita Biddle, Dominc 

Carota, Dr. Gregory Paveza and Harvey Wooding.  [To date, 

4 additional candidates are running from the floor:  Thomas 

Powers, Julian Prager, John Ronald and Danel Smyth.]

Gretchen Bernardi, Chairman of the By-Laws Committee, 

rose to ask Mr. Sprung to get from the Delegate body a 

non-binding vote on the waiver of the application fee for 

additional breeds for Delegate Judges.  There was a sig-

nificant vote in the majority to waive this fee.  Pat Laurens 

reported that 51 Disaster Relief Trailers are in place, 6 more 

have been completed and are waiting for transfer, and 23 

clubs are working on funding.  More than $1.2 mil has been 

donated to this project.

        

Respectfully submitted

        

Anne Gallant

        

Delegate, PBGVCA