How Cavaliers Were Admitted To The AKC
In 1993, the American Kennel Club asked to meet with members of
the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA (CKCSC, USA) to discuss full AKC
recognition of the breed. The AKC explained that they had been contacted by a
significant number of Cavalier owners that had expressed interest in taking
advantage of American Kennel Club services and numerous competitive events.
Those to represent the CKCSC, USA at that meeting were Dr.
Randi Rosvoll, President, Mr. Robert Smith, Vice-President, Mr. John D. Gammon,
a member of the Board of Directors and Mr. Bayard Hochberg, an attorney and club
member. The AKC was represented by Mr. Terry Stacy, a Vice-President, Mr. Dennis
R. Sprung, head of Event Plans, and Dr. James Edwards, a member of the Board of
Directors. Mr. Robert Smith of the CKCSC, USA did not attend the meeting, nor
did he inform the other members representing the CKCSC, USA that he would not be
attending. After trying to contact Mr. Smith without result, and waiting a
reasonable amount of time, the meeting began without him.
The AKC representatives explained that the Miscellaneous Class
was not meant to be a "parking place" for breeds, but was for those breeds
actively seeking full AKC recognition. They explained that the United States was
the only country in the free world that did not recognize the Cavalier King
Charles Spaniel.
As the CKCSC, USA had been keeping registration records and
holding shows for decades, the AKC said it would welcome that club "in attaining
the position as the American Kennel Club Parent Club for your breed." The AKC
reps pointed out the vast resources that would become available to the club and
the breed, including the millions of dollars that AKC allocates for health
research, which now falls under the Canine Health Foundation.
They went on further to explain that if the CKCSC, USA was not
prepared to do so, they had a sufficient number of Cavalier owners who would do
it. It was made absolutely
clear to the CKCSC, USA that the American Kennel Club was going to recognize
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, with or without them. There was no question
about this. At the end of the meeting Mr. Gammon asked them directly if it
was their intention to recognize the breed even if the club members were opposed
to it, and the AKC answered Yes. They told the CKCSC, USA that they would
allow a reasonable amount of time for them to ask their membership if they
wished to become the Parent Club for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
The CKCSC, USA is a club composed of those whose primary goals
do not lie with the breeding or showing of Cavaliers. Many of the most prolific
breeders furnished their pet buyers with memberships in the club. This resulted
in a few people controlling very large voting blocks, and they were able to
approve or strike down anything they wanted.
It should be further explained that when the ballot was sent
out to the membership, it was worded in such a way as to assure its defeat.
Instead of asking if the membership wished to become the Parent Club for
Cavaliers, the question was put "Do you want Cavaliers to be recognized by the
AKC?" They were able to convince a majority of the membership that it could stop
the AKC, and the vote for breed recognition was soundly defeated.
As the Parent Club is ultimately responsible for the protection
of a breed, what this vote really proved was that the CKCSC, USA decided that
their club was more important than Cavaliers were.
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