News from the Canadian KC


Forwarded here by J B Reed

Open Dog Events Proposal
For immediate release and communication to Canadian Kennel Club members:

Over the life of the Canadian Kennel Club, many challenges have been met and
overcome in the support of dogs in Canadian society. These challenges have
ranged from the definition of 'purebred' as breeds have evolved to the
development of events to support the dog fancy. We have watched the
evolution of conformation from benched to 'show and go' exhibition. The
transportation of dogs from trains to planes is a continuing challenge. We
are increasingly, in this decade, faced with pressures from animal rights
organizations not believing in dogs as companions and governments intent on
adding BSL as a means of shoring up voter support. And we soldier on.

The changes occurring at the CKC mirror those faced in Canadian society. We
are one of the few Kennel Clubs in the world that has been able to maintain
its status as a membership organization. With a small staff in Toronto, with
a representative Board speaking for that membership and with the support of
a dedicated group of dog fanciers, the CKC has evolved to meet the
requirements of Canadian society and of the dog fancy internationally. Each
CKC elected Board has worked with members to effect change. As an
organization we have studied, learned and grown to the point in 2007 that we
are once again turning to members to consider a change to the future of the
organization, of the fancy and of dogs in Canadian society.

In the early part of this decade, it became apparent that we could not
credibly speak for all dogs. Faced with a ban of two of our recognized
breeds and a third breed recognized by our Southern neighbor, a ban in our
largest, most populous and central Province, we were constrained as a voice
to speak only for those dogs we represent. That constraint minimized the
CKC's effectiveness and its strength even as we presented, educated,
communicated and worked with like-minded organizations to bring politicians
on-line to our way of thinking. Had we had a broader base to offer a wider
and deeper reach into Canadian homes, our credibility would undoubtedly have
been far more apparent. Had we been able to honestly say that we speak for
millions of dog owners and not 25,000 members, think of the impact the fancy
could have.

Coincidentally, at the same time that BSL was being introduced in two
Provincial legislatures, the Chair of Strategic Planning was asked by the
Board to consider the impact of 'Open Dog Events' on the Canadian Dog Fancy.
Boards are constantly challenged in their mandates to look forward and to
set the course of the CKC. At this juncture, the Board felt it important to
consider whether or not it would be in the CKC's interest to widen our
scope. The Committee of the day undertook an analysis of our current
demographics, had a 'futuristic' determination made of the potential impact
on our bottom line of attracting a broader cross section of the Canadian dog
owning public and Directors worked to get our heads around how this might
work. We recognized that the concept had been in operation for many years in
some countries and with other Canadian species. We also recognized that
Canada is very unique so that what works for others may not work for us.

The 2006 election brought Board change but a continued interest in the Open
Dog Events concept. Building on the initial work done in Committee, CKC
staff began our conversation with the membership, using some general
questions on the 2006 Membership Survey to get a sense, at the broadest
level, of how members might react to that concept. Using only the most basic
of questions, member feedback was given. The response showed a slight
majority being in favour of inclusion - of opening the CKC in limited and
targeted areas to all dogs, regardless of their purebred or non-purebred
status. We recognize that the response received was a cautious one, but it
is one indicator that there is a cross section of the membership that is at
least open to discussing a broadening of our mandate. In addition, the
financial analysis conducted by our experienced Audit Chair, Bud Milsom,
showed a potential for additional revenues that would shore up our bottom
line and provide the organization increased flexibility to better support
our members and our dogs in areas including responsible dog ownership and
improved service delivery.

This year (and the CKC is approaching this opportunity with slow
deliberation) contact was made with The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom.
The Kennel Club has included an opportunity for non- purebred dogs to
compete in some performance events since the 1950s'. Their 50+ years of
experience is valuable in offering us an overview of the benefits of being
able to speak for all dogs, as well as an indication of the uptake by
non-purebred dog owners.

The Board now feels it has enough background to take this project to the
membership to ask for input and your thoughts. In June, we asked the
Strategic Planning Committee to develop a communication process with the
membership. In the interim, we have been advised by the AKC that they too
are approaching the concept with some degree of interest. As a first step,
from a communication standpoint, they have "surveyed the Fancy about
creating a mixed breed listing service and competition events." While we
have not yet seen the results of their survey, it is interesting to note
that both organizations appear to have Boards who are viewing the challenges
facing the Fancy and considering similar approaches. They too are being
faced with increasing pressure from animal rights activists (reference the
California proposal that managed to pass first reading in their 'lower
House') and are developing an increasingly formalized lobbying presence.

In the case of Open Dog Events, the work-up to communicating with members
has been a long one. We did not want to approach the issue at all if it was
found to be unfeasible within Committee. We will now begin the communication
process. We invite feedback and ask for your alternatives - your conditions
and the opportunities open to us. Each Director is your voice at the Board
table. This initiative is a fundamental one and we are certain you have an
opinion.

In our view, the only area where there would be a possibility of accepting
participation of all dogs would be performance events. There may be interest
from the Obedience Council and the Agility Council for events such as Rally
and Agility. The Councils which exist and which are made up of members from
each zone across the country will be asked whether or not they are
interested in an expansion of their event and willing to do the necessary
work to include all dogs. An internal system will have to be developed to
track each participating dog since they are not part of the CKC registry. We
will also be seeking input from clubs that offer performance events to
ensure any change in the current rules meet their needs.

There are some fundamental requirements for non- purebred dog participation
including mandatory spay/neuter and microchip identification. Each
participant will have to be microchipped and have a veterinarian's
certificate of spay/neuter with the corresponding chip number in order to
compete.

From a financial perspective, the Board is highly cognizant of the price our
purebred breeders are paying to support anti-BSL activities, our new
Responsible Dog Ownership Program, the Breeder Education project, and
performance events. Because we all have a deep affection for dogs -
regardless of their breeding - we have always stepped up to the plate and
have had our members' support for doing so. In the process, we have helped
many, many non- purebred dogs and their owners.

In working with community councils, city councils and Provincial
legislatures, we have not differentiated our voice. We speak for all dogs.
By opening our doors to all dogs in limited performance events, that voice
that we have been using will actually be granted legitimacy. In addition,
those owners who are not now supporting us and our costs for these efforts
will be a contributor to the fight. They will pay their fees, become
involved in Clubs, receive our information directly, will better understand
the responsibilities of the Club and its benefits and many will look to the
purebred Fancy for their next dog. There is experience in this in the Cat
Fancy and no reason to think that dogs will be vastly different.


In terms of the 'how', there are many alternatives open to us. We generally
look to our Councils to guide us in these areas. They are the experts in
performance events and will best know what would meet their needs. It will
be a 'made in Canada' solution if it goes forward, using the experience of
other countries but aligned to meet the interests and needs of this country.

Finally, we want to make it clear that in order to expand the scope of the
rules governing the relevant performance events to include all dogs, a
modification of the objects of the Canadian Kennel Club as they are set out
in our By-laws will be required. This amendment will be submitted to a vote
of the full membership so that each member of the Club will have an
opportunity to express his or her view on this proposal.


Your Board of Directors hopes that this at least will begin a dialogue with
you on this topic and that you will have a better sense of where the Board
is at this moment.