(B) Concerning FCI Standard:
Mr. Toyosaku Karlyabu
1. Introduction
I would like
to begin by reporting to those in attendance on the process
leading to the establishment of FCI Standard for tie Akita up to
the present, so that it may serve as a reference for the current
issue.
Japan Kennel
Club became an associate member of the FCI in 1963 (33 years
ago) and a full member in 1979 (17 years ago) at tie General
Assembly in Switzerland.
I served on
the General Committee representing the FCI Asia - Africa Section
for fifteen years beginning in 1980 at the General Assembly in
Amsterdam until June of 1995 (last year). During my term in
office, the Standard for this breed were slightly flawed. The
problems included mistranslations of official languages.
In order to
make quick improvements, we were advised fittingly by Dr.
Paschoud, President of the FCI Standard Commission, Prof. Brass,
President of the FCI Scientific Commission, who are in
attendance today, and relied on the academic scholarship
regarding the Japanese breeds of Prof. Triquet. I would like to
take this opportunity to extend them our sincere thanks. On two
occasions, we asked the General Committee !or the effort to
review this matter.
During this
time, Japan Kennel Club held Special Japanese Breeds Shows in
the two European countries of Germany and Sweden. These shows
were intended to raise the understanding of this breed to a
higher level, especially among breeders in each of the countries
in Europe and the American continent. Further, reference
material was distributed. and practical seminars were held. In
addition, I personally as a judge, as such as I was able
conducted an informational campaign in Germany, France, Hungary,
Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, Portugal, etc., and in the
American section, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Mexico,
Canada, etc;, plus Australia in the Oceania section as well as
the 10 AKU member countries in the Asian section.
Next, dogs
were provided free of charge to persons who had worked hard for
many years in developing this breed as breeders in several
countries. Today, I would like to say a word or two about those
results.
Further,
every year to encourage interaction among various nations and
have this breed recognized, we have been doing our utmost to
invite judges to Japan, and furthermore, have been distributing
the calendar for this breed. Nevertheless, some FCI countries in
recent years have been confused regarding judging this breed
because of the existence both the American typed Akita and the
Japanese typed Akita, and have brought complaints concerning
what should be done to the FCI Scientific Commission and the
Standard Commission. Naturally, the General Committee was
consulted.
As a result,
the following issues were debated: (1) Whether two varieties
should be recognized; (2) Whether two different breeds should be
recognized; (3) Could any other remedial measures be taken by
Japan, the country of origin?
I expressed concern to Mr. Hans Muller, President of the FCl
why such a state of affairs had been reached. In order to get a
consensus on AKITA problem, the following delegates were chosen:
Mr. Hans Muller, President of the FCI, representing the
Executive Committee, Prof. Brass, President of the FCI
Scientific Commission and Dr. Paschoud, President of the FCI Standard Commission,
representing the related committees, and also Mr. Kamisato, the
Secretary General of the JKC, representing our Club. These four
delegates held a meeting on August 14 in Zurich.
2. Agreement was reached
an the following Items.
a. The fundamental stance of the FCI according to
Paragraph C of Article 2 of the Articles of Association is,
“the observation of breed standards established by the country
of origin, or countries of patronage of the respective breed (in
cases where the breed no longer exists in the country of
origin). Those standards must be recognized by the other
countries as far as they are not in contradiction with the
national law of those country.” Thus if there should be
changes to these standards, a proposal from the country of
origin must be throughout the FCI General Committee and the
Standard Commission must be consulted. Therefore, proposals made
by third party countries should neither be accepted nor debated.
b. Twice in the past,
the General Committee has reached the conclusion that "The
Akita in the FCI Standard is the Japanese typed Akita
only."
c. If judges from
each member country of the FCI understood the Standard for this
breed enough, there would be no confusion in judging.
d. Regarding the
existence of the American typed Akita, what has been the
historical background and what measures have there taken to
establishment of those standards down to the present? Japan
Kennel Club means to intends to pursue the optimal preserve this
breed based on judicious discussions between the two countries
concerned.
e. We will also
persist in broadly soliciting the opinions of breeders of
various related countries who have worked hard for many years at
improving this breed, and formulate suitable policies.
(Note: A
supplementary explanation of FCI standard will be given.)
Mr. Hiddes,
President of the Nederlandse Vereniging voor Nihonken, asked
about the angulation of Akitas. The Chairman answered this
problem should be discussed during the meeting.
COMPARATIVE
TABLES OF AKITAS EXPORTED FROM JAPAN TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES
(After
establishment of mutual agreement between AKC and JKC in
November, 1992)
|
1992
|
1993
|
1994
|
1995
|
1996
(Jan~Nov)
|
Total
|
U.S.A.
|
5
|
23
|
8
|
7
|
9
|
52
|
Germany
|
1
|
2
|
5
|
0
|
4
|
12
|
France
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
8
|
13
|
Italy
|
2
|
12
|
9
|
10
|
12
|
45
|
Hungary
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
Mexico
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
Peru
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
Argentina
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
Other
countries
|
1
|
11
|
7
|
11
|
7
|
37
|
|
9
|
51
|
32
|
32
|
42
|
166
|
Interaction about the
Akita with America in recent years
1. At the present there are various explanations of the
breeding of the Akita in America but officially in July of 1937
(59 years ago), the Ministry of Education presented Helen Keller
with two puppies. This fact is noted in history. Subsequently,
around the end of the Second World War (51 years ago), importing
Akitas to America by the occupying army and dog lovers was
accomplished
2. The Akita Club of
America was founded in 1965 (31 years ago) by dog lovers. Then
for seven years, independent registration certificates were
issued. In October of 1972 (24 years ago), as a condition for
fulfilling AKC registration standards, the Stud Book was
transferred to the AKC. On April 1, 1973 (23 years ago), he
breed was classified in the Working Group for AKC shows. Since
then, regularly scheduled shows have been held.
3. Since October of
1972 (24 years ago), registrations have been severely
restricted. Unless dogs were bred based on the aforementioned
Stud Book that had been transferred to the AKC, they could not
appear in dog shows.
4. During that
period, the blank of registrations for the AKITA from Japan to
America that ceased for twenty years erected a major obstacle to
the development of this breed. This imposed very unfortunate
circumstances on related persons.
5. JKC and the AKC
had been planning official exchanges for many years. Finally
mutual agreements were reached on April6, 1992 and we were
certified as a foreign registration organization
6. The CKC (Canadian
Kennel Club) on September 27 of the same year, following the
AKC, reached mutual agreements.
<<Supplementary
material for Discussion theme (e)>>