Thursday, June 14, 2012

AKC Board minutes reference pointing breeds

The Board convened on Monday, May 7, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. All Directors were present except for
Dr. Garvin, Mr. Gladstone, and Dr. Battaglia. Dr. Garvin participated via teleconference. Also 
present were the Executive Secretary, the Chief Operating Officer and the Assistant Executive 
Secretary. To read the full minutes of the board go to: http://images.akc.org/pdf/board_minutes/0512.pdf

Several changes made affect pointing breeds:

National Walking Gun Dog Championship For Pointing Breed Trials 
The Board VOTED to approve an annual AKC Pointing Breed National Walking Gun Dog 
Championship event. The purpose is to acknowledge and encourage the trend that is occurring 
in Pointing Breed field trials toward more foot handled Gun Dog stakes. The winner of this event 
would be awarded the prefix title “AKC National Walking Gun Dog Champion of 20__.” 
(NWGDC). 

Use of Blank Guns in Pointing Breed Field Trials and Hunting Tests 
The Board VOTED to change Procedure 1-G of Standard Procedures in the Field Trial Rules 
and Standard Procedures for Pointing Breeds and Chapter 3, Section 7. Blank Guns, in the 
Regulations for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds (changes underlined below).  

Procedure 1
1– G Blank Guns.  In any stake, except in puppy or derby stakes, a blank
cartridge must be fired by the handler over any dog on point after the game has
been flushed. Handlers should be aware of the potentially harmful impact the
repeated discharge of a blank gun can have on the hearing of people, dogs and
horses. The following Regulations apply to the use of blank guns/ammunition.
  Blank pistols used to fire a blank cartridge must have a solid barrel incapable of
discharging live ammunition. All calibers up to .32 are acceptable. Blank pistols
that fire shotgun 209 primers are also acceptable. .22 caliber “acorn” crimps shall
not be used. For .22 caliber blanks produced for other purposes (not specifically
for blank pistols), handlers should be guided by the recommendation of the
manufacturer with regard to the safety of their use in blank pistols.
  .410 gauge shotguns with blank shells may be permitted if specified in the
premium list. No shotgun larger than .410 gauge is allowed. Shotguns must be
fired skyward and away from the direction of the gallery and judges.
CHAPTER 3
Section 7. Blank Guns. Only blank pistols may be used by handlers in Pointing
Breed Hunting Tests. Blank pistols used to fire a blank cartridge must have a
solid barrel incapable of discharging live ammunition. Handlers should be aware
of the potentially harmful impact the repeated discharge of a blank pistol can
have on the hearing of people, dogs and horses. The following Regulations apply
to the use of blank guns/ammunition.
 .22 caliber (6mm) blanks are preferred but all calibers up to .32 are acceptable.
Blank pistols that fire shotgun 209 primers are also acceptable. .22 caliber Bd. Pg. 5
May 7-8, 2012

“acorn” crimps may be used. For .22 caliber blanks produced for other purposes
(not specifically for blank pistols), handlers should be  guided by the
recommendation of the manufacturer with regard to the safety of their use in
blank pistols.
 Promiscuous firing of guns or blank pistols on the grounds is prohibited.
Handlers in Hunting Tests shall fire one blank and no more for each flush of one
or more birds provided the bird is not being shot at by official gunners.
  Handlers should not hold the blank pistol against their body when firing as there
is a discharge of gases which may burn or otherwise harm.
  The handler must shoot within the time that would be required to kill a bird at
natural shotgun range. Any deliberate delay in shooting must be severely
penalized.
These changes place an upper limit on the caliber of blank guns that are allowed at Pointing 
Breed field events, address the uses of new types of ammunition, and caution handlers on the 
potentially harmful impact that firing a blank gun can have on the hearing of humans, dogs and 
horses. This is effective June 1, 2012.

Pointing Breed Grand Field Champion Title 
The Board VOTED to amend the Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedures for Pointing Breeds 
Chapter 14, to create two new Pointing Breed Field Trial titles – the Grand Field Champion and 
the Grand Amateur Field Champion. Points toward these titles must be earned in one hour 
stakes. A dog must have previously earned its Field Champion or Amateur Field Champion title 
before it can earn points toward the Grand titles. This is effective January 1, 2014. 

Pointing Breed Field Trials - Roading a Dog Behind the Gallery 
The Board VOTED to amend the Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedures for Pointing Breeds 
Procedure 6 Running and Handling - to allow “roading” at Pointing Breed Field Trials that are 
longer than three days. “Roading” will be allowed at the host club’s discretion and under 
conditions specified in the Pointing Breed Field Trial Standard Procedures. This is effective 
June 1, 2012

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