09/05/2025
This is my email to the AKC as a dedicated FSS person:
Hello,
I have been a dedicated dog fancier for over 20 years and I have been devoted to the Hamiltonstovare for over 15 of those years. I say this because I want to know the reasoning behind the dramatic changes to the FSS requirements. FSS and Misc breeds do not have an opportunity to advocate for ourselves in Delegates meetings because we aren't allowed delegates, so decisions that impact FSS and Misc breeds aren't being reviewed by the very people who live it every single day.
I know that myself and others have been asking the AKC for help and understanding regarding the current government climate regarding the CDC import restrictions. We cannot import dogs anymore, so how are we supposed to bring in new dogs to even create a breeding population? We desperately need the resources and lobbying power of the AKC to help out our breeds.
Also, the AKC has a museum in NYC and there has been a massive social media campaign for young people around the musical Hamilton. The Hamiltonstovare is the perfect opportunity for the AKC to advertise FSS breeds and educate people on the need to preserve all breeds, not just the popular ones. However, I have been the contact person for the Hamiltonstovare since the breed was FSS recognized and I haven't even received an invite to AKC Meet the Breeds that I didn't have to beg for months after the fact. I am a train ride away, I will happily get on a train and go to the AKC Museum of the Dog and do a presentation of the Hamiltonstovare and advocate my heart out for the FSS and Misc breeds.
Did you know that the majority of the people involved in FSS and Misc breeds are first generation dog show people under the age of 50? This is the very demographic that the AKC should be welcoming and doing everything in their power to retain, not alieanting and making arbitrary recommendations that even half of the fully recognized breeds can't do.
Did you also know that the Hamiltonstovare is the ONLY breed of dog in the world that was created by the same person who founded a national kennel club? Count AP Hamilton created the Hamiltonstovare and the Swedish Kennel Club. I find it very ironic that the AKC accepts import registration from Swedish imports all the time but won't do the kennel club a favor and recognize that kennel club's most prized dog breed as a token of sportmanship.
Can I have some clarification on a couple of things? What does 20 CM titles mean in regards to 10 in conformation and 10 in another sport? The CM title by its very definition is a conformation only title. Does that mean that 10 titles in another sport or 10 titles at a specific level? If so, what are they? Is there any incentive for those breeds that focus on breed specific things? Do parent club titles count? Is there any consideration for breeds that aren't suited for higher level obedience and rally?
Also, if the 20 CM titles is just an increase to 20 CM titles, is there going to be a rule that all all-breed (including Westminster, Morris & Essex, The National Dog Show, the AKC National Championship, etc) and group specialty clubs have to host at least two Open Shows a year? The reason why I am asking that is because clubs aren't hosting Open Shows and we can't earn CM titles without Open Shows.
I also have a general question - how many members of the AKC Board, executive team, and paid AKC staff currently own a FSS breed and show that breed in Open Shows?
The FSS and Misc community is feeling very abandoned and bullied by the AKC and its clubs currently. I love my Hamiltonstovare with everything that I have. I was even working with my all-breed club's Open Shows this June from a wheelchair because I was recovering from hip surgery. Then, the rest of the weekend I was talked down to and had my entire life's work belitted by an AKC delegate. Now to see the new restrictions, they aren't requirements, they are restrictions for becoming fully recognized has left the entire FSS community feeling like they want to quit and never return.
Also, the dog show community under 50 is really upset about all of these changes on Facebook currently. This is across all breeds, not just FSS. This is more than just making FSS people feel welcome, the AKC is sending a very clear message to every fancier under 50 that they have to churn out puppies otherwise they don't matter. The message is clear that the dogs are not the priority of the AKC right now, it is profit.
Ashley Hammock
Hamiltonstovare Club of America
Oceania Hamiltonstovare
Goochland, Va
