The “Un”-AKC

August 30th, 2006

While I’m on a roll, I should mention that the UKC has released their answer to the AKC conflict of interest policy. It’s almost funny - it’s the opposite of the AKC’s in almost every way.

While the AKC is out to crush competition and extract loyalty from its judges, with a “we made you and we can break you” sort of attitude, the UKC statement (http://www.ukcdogs.com, news item for 08/10/20076) flat out states that judges have the right to judge wherever they’re qualified. And that wider experience makes them better judges, which benefits the sport, which in turn benefits the UKC. Very enlightened, indeed.

Of course there’s always a “gotcha”. The reason I’m not quoting the UKC statement verbatim is that it’s copyrighted and the person I contacted at their offices hinted that I’d better not use it without permission. I guess enlightenment only goes so far.