From Aristotle to Edmund Burke, philosophers have written of the healthy tension that normally exists between the understanding and strategies of leaders and the sentiments and opinions of their people.

In today’s heated environment about the in-roads of the Animal Rights fanatics, declining registrations and sometimes forgettable decisions made by AKC and the Delegate body, we are beginning to see AKC leadership wilting under the power of public pressure. However, I must say that there are those who feel AKC has been too responsive to public opinion. Where is the happy medium?

Good or bad there is a parade passing by on Madison Ave. and the AKC leadership needs to hurry to get in front of it. The formation of this parade has been forming for a long time. It has been hastened by decisions from headquarters that seemingly have no basis in reality. When the tidal wave of public opinion strikes, these decisions are hastily reversed. This does not breed confidence in their leadership. For example, when the Petland controversy hit, AKC finally explained to the Delegate body why they moved on this. The explanation was reasonable and many soon sided with the AKC leadership on this point. However, it was too late as the contract was already cancelled. If the long term to benefit AKC had been explained, it surely would have had a better chance of success. Let’s not say they didn’t learn from this exercise; they used what they learned from that disaster when bringing up the concept of some type of registration for mixed breeds. There has been much positive discussion and it looks like it may become a reality in the near future. Good for them. I must say that Dennis Spring is a fast learner. AKC’s role in the disastrous AB1634 was also exemplary as is their decision to start a PAC to help influence legislation – all good moves.

A very positive step was taken a couple of years ago in the development of the Long Range Plan. Goals were set and the fancy was kept up to date on the drafting of the plan. Okay, so far so good, now where are the tangible results? Where do we stand on each segment of the plan and why are we at that point? People not only get discouraged but also hostile when they hear nothing of the grandiose plans they invested in. We need to see positive results. Information needs to be communicated regularly as to progress or lack thereof. Press releases about this special day and that award seem like frosting on a cake that’s not very well baked.

For many years registrations carried the AKC. Today that figure is at about 40%. Investment and other ancillary revenues have allowed the bottom line to show a profit – in fact, a tidy one. Instead of recognizing that declining revenues from registrations may be a permanent thing, the board keeps coming up with ways to increase revenues from breeder/exhibitors by raising fees. You would think that given the way that economics works, i.e. raise fares on public transportation and ridership declines they would just accept the fact that other revenue streams will have to be the mainstay of support in the foreseeable future instead of building a large reserve as in the conventional business sense. The current operating reserve is at $32 million out of a total income of $70 million. An endowment reserve stands at $22 million. With this kind of cushion lets expand our offerings to the fancy and enjoy the fruits of a win-win situation as more services can bring about added registrations and along with it added income. This is a non-profit SERVICE-oriented organization, not a Wall Street bank!

Breeders and exhibitors are rightfully upset when they see AKC’s real bottom line and realize they are being put upon so it will look like more income is being derived directly from the fancy. Certainly other steps like scaling back on personnel and the posh headquarters in NYC and having the entire staff and equipment based in Raleigh would be beneficial. There is no longer any prestige or cachet in having offices in NYC. It no longer makes economic or factual sense. High travel costs, high hotel rates, high salaries and overly expensive food and cab fares. NYC no longer cuts it.

Dr. Grossman, a long time judge of Sporting Dogs and publisher of Doral Publishing is now the President of WinningSolutions.info, a website devoted to developing the Professional Mentor concept via vital information for the beginning breeder/exhibitor at http://winningsolutions.info