particular segment can delay necessary progress . That is always detrimental to the dogs themselves and may inhibit the function of various beneficial committees ( such as Health , Specialty Show , Breeder Referral , etc .) and may actually stall the process of breed recognition and development . The importance of having the right people in the right jobs cannot be overstated . Perhaps all clubs have “ growing pains ,” but the difficulties appear to be predictable . One means of approaching this is to take a step back from active involvement while watching the breed and its fanciers mature .
9 . This is the perfect place for an unsolicited commercial
for AKC ’ s Vice President of Everything Mari-Beth O ’ Neill and her crew . While many seem to feel that new breeds are being moved forward too quickly and for the wrong reasons , my experience has been that AKC is working double-overtime to do everything possible to ease the way for the new breeds . They do this in the face of unending complaints , whining and requests from the nattering nabobs of negativity ( phrase not mine ) and somehow keep the process moving . Their involvement is anything but superficial . The number of breeds advancing from FSS ( and into FSS ) is daunting , but they are doing the job and doing it very well .
MARILYN VINSON , AKC JUDGE
1 . China Fleet . Glendale , Ariz . Chinese Shar-Pei and
Bracco Italiano .
2 . In 1983 , when I got my first Shar-Pei from Matgo Law
in Hong Kong .
3 . No , I was brand new to the idea of showing and
breeding . Before that we had Boston Terriers as pets .
4 . With Shar-Pei , we were living overseas and pretty
much removed from the work being done on their behalf . With the Bracco Italiano , we are in the midst of trying to meet requirements , and it is a real challenge .
5 . So far , the greatest rewards have been sharing this
incredible breed and introducing the Bracco to the American purebred dog world . The best , of course , is hunt tests . Watching a breed do what it was bred to do , and showing how well this breed can do it is the ultimate . Many hold hunt titles , including Master Hunter and Master Hunter Advanced . We have participated in every venue we can and have done numerous Meet The Breeds and Judges Education seminars . We have dogs involved in therapy work , agility , obedience and search and rescue .
6 . Our only opportunity to participate in AKC conformation right now is with Open shows , and the judges have been very good about learning the standard . Many have judged the Bracco overseas and recognize type and soundness . We have a very good Judges Education program . It helps that the Bracco is an honest dog and you can ’ t groom out faults .
7 . Like most breeds , we need new people to invest in and protect the future of the breed . Most are very willing to work for the goal of dual dogs when mentored by someone who knows the importance of conformation and hunt . Many Bracco people are new to conformation , and experienced exhibitors have been a huge help , not just in teaching how to show the dog , but why .
8 . Oh yeah , and we are a prime example . We have had
the Bracco listed in the Foundation Stock Service ( FSS ) since 2001 , and they are still there . It has caused an unfortunate split in the club over AKC recognition . The first club acknowledges that AKC is inevitable but does not feel ready yet . The newer Bracco Society feels it is time to start working toward full recognition . Many of us belong to both clubs , and the Braccco Society of America members have made great effort to support activities of the older club .
9 . No ! Not fast enough for us ! This is an ancient breed ,
over 2,500 years old , with full recognition just about everywhere but here . They are registered with clubs that AKC recognizes and accepts registrations from . We are not a new breed , or an unproven designer dog . I do understand the need for a parent club , but feel an effective club can be built more easily from within rather than outside the circle . The AKC / FSS Department has been wonderful in helping and answering questions , and we have many . The guidelines do state what we need to do , but not a lot about how to do it , especially if few members have prior AKC experience . DIR
Marilyn Vinson
MARCH 2017 DOGS IN REVIEW 95