March 4, 2008
Fellow SchH folks,

It's refreshing to know some folks actually read the reports I have made.  Before I was the AWDF president, there were not many records, or reports made available for anyone.  The first thing I felt we as an organization needed was a better way of communication.  Some of the smallest problems can easily get out of hand, if a person or group is not careful.  I once wrote that people in our sport are quite passionate about what they are involved in.  I really believe that. 

To answer the question regarding the 2011 world championship, there was no misunderstanding, or lies, or anything like that.  The FCI is a huge organization, basically run by show people.  This is pretty much how most all dog organizations are run, the AKC included.

As of this writing we are guest members of the FCI working commission.

The AWDF has always worked with the FCI working commission.  That commission is a part of the FCI & for the most part runs their own events.  I was asked prior to the 2005 FCI working commission championship meeting, by then president Eberhard Strasser, if we, the AWDF, would be interested in hosting the 2011 FCI IPO championship.  I said yes.  It was then announced, at that meeting, in Slovenia, that we would in fact host this event, & I began to make plans.  This was confirmed again in 2006 by Herr Strasser.

Later in that year, something came up.  We can all speculate about what happened.  I never really got anything other than a short note that said we would not be able to host this championship.  One person told me that 2011 was the 100th year anniversary of the FCI.

Was I disappointed?  Yes, but again our working friends told us not to give up.  The FCI working commission members are very strong supporters of the AWDF.  They know that we, the members of the AWDF, are the largest supporters of the sport, & breeding programs, developed in Europe.  These folks know & understand that we are in a unique position here in America.  That position being we are actually a working based group, that only has to answer to working based people.  Keep in mind when I say working based group, I am also including those of us that fancy the conformation side of our breeds as well.

So since the above mentioned meeting, we have added the DVG to our ranks, the Hovawart club, and lastly a new Cane Corso club has recently applied.

Some might ask what is different about the AWDF in the last few years.  The biggest change is that for the last four years, the AWDF, as a united all breed group have worked towards the betterment of the working dog here in America.  We now have people, that represent all breeds, united fighting against BSL.  We are sharing programs with one another, such as helper, and judging programs.  We developed our new sport program, got our financial situation in order, revamped our Constitution & Bylaws as well as made new inroads to sport friends in South America, & added to our European connections.  We are currently sharing helper, judging, and other committee information with the FCI working commission.  As an example, the working commission developed world championship guidelines, and used some of the guidelines developed by the USA's championship committee in their program. 

I don't really consider myself a politician.  I consider myself a working dog enthusiast, with my roots being a working dog person.  The members of our EB are also working dog enthusiasts.  Look at the make up of the AWDF EB.  Everyone on the EB is a member of the SchH3 club.  It has been that way for a few years as well.  I mention that because as working dog people, that have attained at least SchH3 level, we all have an understanding of how to work through problems. 

 Unfortunately some of the questions I’m asked come from people who don't get information passed along by their respective club representatives.  As some of you know, we are now posting our minutes on the AWDF web site, & I'm always open to questions. 

Yours in Sport,

Al Govednik

President AWDF