Information is posted here that I feel is of importance to Canadian Kennel Club Members:

Notes from Board meeting January 2010

Docking and Cropping

At the last Board meeting, docking and cropping was a topic for discussion. and the current CKC Policy Statement was reviewed. For those members not familiar with the current Policy statement please go to the CKC website and you will find it in Chapter 12.

The current statement recognizes that societal values influence us as breeders of pure-bred dogs, and that some breeders have modified their standards to meet societal needs. E.g. fighting breeds are no longer bred for fighting and temperaments have been modified. The same with Cropping the ears of dogs. All Canadian standards allow for cropped or uncropped ears in their breed statements.

Tails are a different issue. Many parent club members are resistant to making any changes to their standards. They do not want to open up their standards and make a statement on a topic they believe will fundamentally change their breeds.

As a breeder and exhibitor I fully understand this point of view. As a judge I have an issue - how does a judge evaluate a dog that is a superior specimen but has a tail against a dog of lesser quality but is docked.? If the breed standard does not indicate a DQ for an undocked tail, how does the judge evaluate a tail?

The Board is requesting that Breed Clubs review their standards and if a tail is totally objectionable make a statement, and if necessary a DQ. We do not want to dictate to Clubs but just to give the Board some direction. Judges require clear standards if the membership want top quality judging.

I hope that will clear some of the fears that some have expressed. The Board is attempting to have clear and understandable breed standards.

$3 Surcharge

The Board approved a $3 Surcharge for Non members who compete in any CKC events. This is planned to take effect June 1st 2010.

I have received considerable feedback, with many concerned that this will affect AKC exhibitors and non members competing in performance events. As a Director of the CKC I believe my role is to listen and make the best decisions with the information I have been given. I voted for the surcharge because we need revenues other than from membership and events fees. We can increase membership fees but I am concerned this will place additional financial burden on members who have experienced an uncertain economic year. When I consider the HST that is coming this year I do understand that this may not seem an appropriate time for an increase.

I have listened to your concerns and have met with members of several clubs to discuss various options for increasing revenues for CKC. When I met with members in Vancouver one of the ideas was to apply the $3 surcharge to the entire membership for 1 year (including life members). This option could be considered but I am sure would not be welcomed by all.

I am still of the opinion that a surcharge for non members is an option (as there are many organizations that charge a non-member fee for participation in their events) but I would like to see an assessment done in 1 or 2 years, and as the economy recovers the surcharge to be removed.

As the pure-bred dog fancy faces discrimination from many areas of society, we as a Board are inundated with requests from Clubs and members for support and funding. The membership wants more than a Registry. They want CKC be involved in political action, to initiate educational programs and they want dog shows and performance events too. This all requires increased revenue.

Unfortunately due to a change of date of the next Board meeting I will be unable to attend. I will definitely give your input to the Board members attending that meeting. I will also lobby to have a deadline placed on the non-member surcharge. If this is not possible then with your help I will introduce plausible solutions to raise new revenues.

Thank you for being involved.

Margaret