(April 2008 Board meeting; amended July 2017, May 2020 & January 2021)
(January 2021)
Board policy for processing Member club requests includes a minimum household within their local territory requirement. Some licensed clubs eligible to submit a membership request are not able to meet the local household requirement despite possessing extensive experience in holding successful AKC events. The Board VOTED to amend the policy to waive the local household requirement for member clubs based on event experience and history so they may be approved under Board policy. The new policy changes the local household requirement for member club applicants which have the experience. The local household requirements for all clubs remain the same. However, if a club eligible for member status applies without the minimum local household requirements, and the club instead has event history that is extensive, they may qualify for approval under the new policy.
Clubs applying for member, licensed or sanctioned status shall meet the following minimum household membership requirements:
All-Breed Clubs: 30 households/25 local
Specialty Clubs and Group (Limited Breed): 20 households/12 local
Agility, Obedience and Rally Clubs: 20 households/12 local
Field Trial, Hunting, Lure Coursing, Herding and Earthdog Clubs: 20 households/12 local
Scent Work Clubs: 20 households/12 local
Tracking Clubs: 12 local households
Coonhound Clubs: 15 households/8 local
(July 2017)
The Board VOTED to modify the membership requirement for the formation of obedience clubs from 30 households/25 local, to 20 households/12 local. This makes the membership criteria for the formation of obedience clubs the same as that required for the formation of most other sport-based clubs. The change is consistent with the larger Sports and Events initiative to make it easier for clubs to join the AKC and hold AKC events. The change is effective August 1, 2017.
Clubs applying for member, licensed or sanctioned status shall meet the following minimum household membership requirements:
All-Breed, Group and Obedience Clubs: 20 households/12 local
Specialty Clubs: 20 households/12 local
Agility and Earth Dog: 20 households/12 local
Field Trial Hunting, Coursing, Herding: 20 households/12 local
Coonhound: 15 households/8 local
Tracking: 12 local households
(April 2008)
The Board reviewed the criteria used to accredit the various types of AKC clubs. Following a motion by Dr. Haines, seconded by Ms. Scully, the Board VOTED (affirmative: Dr. Haines, Ms. Scully, Mr. Menaker, Mr. Merriam, Mrs. Strand, Dr. Newman. Dr. Garvin, Dr. Davies, Mr. Marden, Mr. Gladstone; (abstaining: Mrs. Schaefer; absent: Dr. Battaglia and Mr. Goodman) to adopt the following policy, governing the basic membership criteria for applicants seeking member, licensed and sanctioned status, effective January 1, 2009.
Clubs applying for member, licensed or sanctioned status shall meet the following minimum household membership requirements:
All-Breed, Group and Obedience Clubs: 30 households/25 local
Specialty Clubs: 20 households/12 local
Agility and Earth Dog: 20 households/12 local
Field Trial Hunting, Coursing, Herding: 20 households/12 local
Coonhound: 15 households/8 local
Tracking: 12 local households