o In a Fancier Survey completed by 21,017 exhibitors, Delegates, club members, club officers, and dog
owners in February 2007, 70% of respondents agreed AKC clubs should have the option to offer
classes for mixed breeds at Companion events. 67% of exhibitors, 65% of Delegates, 65% of club
members, and 60% of club officers agreed.
The Delegate Body has been consulted on five occasions regarding a mixed breed program. In
addition to the two surveys mentioned above in which Delegates participated:
o
President Dennis Sprung addressed the Delegates in his December 2006 President’s speech.
At this time, he asked for the Delegates advice and assistance in developing a potential
program for mixed breeds.
o
In June 2007, the results of the Fancier Survey referenced above were presented to the Delegates.
Two briefing sessions were conducted on Sunday, June 10th. Staff collected feedback during these
briefing sessions and presented the results and the consolidated feedback during the Forum on
Monday, June 11. Feedback received during these sessions was incorporated in the follow-up
presentation to the Board in October 2007.
o
In June 2008, President Sprung presented an overview of the Mixed Breed listing service to the
Delegates and asked for feedback on four outstanding questions. Specifically, 1) Should AKC appear
in the name of the affiliate organization administering the program, 2) Should group exercises such as
the long sits and downs in Obedience be completely separate or should they be combined for mixes
and purebreds to save time, 3) Do club bylaws prevent mixed breed classes, and 4) Is a $35 fee for a
mixed breed listing reasonable? The speech and questions were distributed to Delegates at the
meeting and posted on the Delegates-L. A reminder was sent on July 22, letting clubs know of the
extension to submit feedback up until the August Board Meeting. AKC received survey responses
from 61 clubs, including 34 All-Breed Kennel Clubs, 21 Parent Clubs, and 6 Dog training Clubs. The
feedback was incorporated into the final plan being presented to the Board this month.
o
At the September, 2008 Delegate meeting and again at the March 2009 Delegates meeting, nonbinding
straw polls of the Delegates indicated overwhelming support for a Mixed Breed listing
service