At the ANKC Ltd Board Meeting held in Melbourne on 21st October 2012 the Directors considered issues surrounding a number of Irish Wolfhounds that were descended from what had been identified as an unknown sire. The proceedings were held in Camera.

A unanimous Resolution to recognise and register the progeny of the dogs in question on the ANKC Ltd Database has resulted in unprecedented commentary in the Canine and Social Media, in recognition of which the Directors have agreed that the decision should be made public.

The decision was: ANKC Ltd has resolved to admit the affected dogs to the ANKC Ltd register after taking into account the following:

• Having taken all possible steps to establish the genetic history of affected dogs;
• Noting that sufficient numbers of affected progeny have been exhibited and awarded as Irish Wolfhounds by both ANKC Ltd and International Judges;
• Conscious of the need to balance the integrity of the Register with the interest of owners who purchased affected dogs as ANKC Ltd pedigreed Irish Wolfhounds;
• Noting the time that has elapsed since the litters by the unknown sire were whelped.

It is also pointed out that ANKC Ltd has previously re-registered imported dogs which have blank spaces in their pedigrees certified by recognised overseas controlling authorities and in respect of some breeds which are trying to introduce specific genes into a breed where it is known that a cross mating took place as few as four generations previously.

ANKC Ltd will continue to monitor the situation.

Hugh Gent OAM
President
March 2013