REGIONAL SPECIALTIES
& SUPPORTED ENTRIES INFORMATION

BMDCA's Interim National Conformation Chair
    Susan Henderson
    phender@hotmail.com



Regulations for Regional Specialties
and/or Supported Entries


AKC-licensed Specialty Clubs

Regional AKC-licensed Bernese Mountain Dog clubs may support entries and hold specialties for Bernese Mountain Dogs under their club's own name at either all-breed shows (Designated Specialty) or at their own venue (Independent Specialty).


The BMDCA has filed a letter with the AKC which grants Blanket Approval to the following specialty clubs for the next three years (2011 - 2013) for events held on the noted corresponding week(s) (including any preceding weekdays), as of August 1, 2011. Any other requests from BMDCA specialty clubs for AKC evnts not specifically outlined below will require written parent club approval.

• Potomac Valley BMDC - Week 7
• BMDC of Southeastern Wisconsin - Week 9
• Grand Canyon State Bernese Mountain Dog Club - Week 9
• Three Rivers Bernese Mountain Dog Club - Week 21
• Nashoba Valley BMDC - Week 23
• North Coast BMDC - Week 31
• BMDC of the Rockies - Week 36
• BMDC of Watchung - Week 40
• Sierra West BMDC - Week 42

Week referenced...
See AKC's Corresponding Events Table: http://www.akc.org/pdfs/Corres_Date_Table.pdf


Non AKC-licensed Specialty Clubs

As a parent club, the BMDCA is obligated to do as much as possible to fulfill its constitutional objective required by AKC, "to encourage the organization of independent local Bernese Mountain Dog Specialty Clubs where sufficient fanciers of the breed exist to meet American Kennel Club (AKC) requirements." Resultantly, the BMDCA has set the following limitations on allowing its non AKC-licensed regional clubs to hold events under the name of the BMDCA:

• BMDCA Designated Regional Specialties

BMDCA-recognized clubs that have existed five or more years as of 2007 and are not yet AKC licensed may hold a maximum of three annual designated regional specialties under the BMDCA name. If AKC sanctioned status is not obtained prior to holding the third designated specialty, annual extensions may be granted provided the club submits proof to the BMDCA National Conformation Chair of continuous progress toward achieving AKC sanctioning/licensing.

• BMDCA Supported Entries

BMDCA-recognized clubs are limited to one supported entry per year under the BMDCA name.

• Sweepstakes

BMDCA-recognized clubs wishing to hold Sweepstakes in conjunction with a supported entry or a designated regional specialty under the BMDCA name must submit proof to the BMDCA National Conformation Chair that they are actively working towards becoming AKC sanctioned. BMDCA-recognized clubs that are unable to meet AKC sanctioning/licensing requirements but are serving the best interests of the breed must seek Board approval to hold sweepstakes in conjunction with a supported entry. The application must include clear documentation of the specific reasons AKC sanctioning/licensing requirements cannot be met, plus a summary of the club's service to their area and the breed during the preceding year along with a listing of events/activities. Required activities must include: one Specialty Match, one Educational Program, and maintaining an active Information and Breeder Referral program.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All BMDCA Specialty clubs holding events under the BMDCA are required to have proof of 1.0 MM general liability insurance coverage on file with the BMDCA Treasurer as a condition for event approval.


• Parent Club Approval

Unless blanket approval* has been granted for the selected event/dates, an application must be submitted to the BMDCA National Conformation Chair to obtain parent club approval to hold a regional specialty, supported entry with Sweepstakes or supported entry under the BMDCA name. The application is available online under the "Specialty" of the club website at http://www.bmdca.org. Applications submitted online are sent directly to the BMDCA National Conformation Chair for consideration.
* Blanket approvals are granted by the BMDCA Board to AKC-licensed and AKC-sanctioned specialty clubs that establish ownership of their dates by holding the same event(s) on the same date(s), without conflicts, for at least two consecutive years.


• AKC Show/Trial Applications

AKC applications for specialty shows and/or sweepstakes events held under the BMDCA must be reviewed and signed by the National Conformation Chair. If blanket approval is not granted, BMDCA's parent club approval letter issued by the BMDCA National Conformation Chair must accompany applications.

NOTE: AKC rules require that the Show Chair and Event Chairs be members of the show-giving club.


Additional Regional Specialty Restrictions & Requirements

• Date and Location

BMDCA regional specialties are restricted to at least 30 days before or after a BMDCA National Specialty when the location is at least 300 road miles from that year's National Specialty. However, if the location of the regional is less than 300 road miles from the National, the regional must be held at least 60 days before or after the National Specialty. Exceptions to this rule will be considered on a case-by case basis and require express written consent from both the Chair of the affected National Specialty Show and the BMDCA.

• Protected Territories

The BMDCA will not approve any regional specialty whose location is within 1000 air miles of the show site of an AKC licensed regional club's specialty. A club seeking the BMDCA's permission to hold a regional specialty during the same week within the 1000 limit must obtain written permission from said regional club and submit it to the National Conformation Chair with a request for approval. No other exceptions will be considered.

• Judging Panel

National Specialty judges are restricted from judging Bernese at the breed level for six months prior to the National Specialty Show dates (Note: Group judging is permissible.)

• Premium Lists for Specialties Held Under BMDCA

The premium list content for regional specialties held under the BMDCA must be submitted to the National Conformation Chair for review and approval well in advance of the submission deadline.

• Concession Space

Whenever possible, it is requested that complimentary booth space be provided to the BMDCA Ways & Means and to the current year National Specialty Ways & Means.

• Reporting

After the event, the Show Chair shall submit entry data to the National Conformation Chair for the total number of dogs competing in Best of Breed, Dog and Bitch classes, as well as all Sweepstakes classes (Non-Regular classes, Junior Showmanship and performance event entry numbers are optional).

BMDCA specialty logo