The current Merit Program (Top Ten Dogs) will end as advertised on December 31, 2014, and the Top Ten Dogs for 2014 will be announced. There will be no Merit Program during January through June of 2015. Dogs may still be shown during this time period, and win sheets submitted in accordance with the current rules, for the purpose of completing a Club Championship or Grand Championship. The breed becomes fully recognized July 1, 2015. At that time the MASCUSA Championship and Grand Championship programs will terminate and these titles must be earned through AKC.

It is the Board's intention to put in place new club recognition programs that differ from those offered by AKC. Some examples might be Hall of Fame Kennels, Hall of Fame Sire/Dams, Performance and Versatility Awards, and a new Merit Program. The Special Programs Committee is tasked with developing these programs, but that committee needs more volunteers! They are currently working on revising the rules for the Most Versatile Miniature American Shepherd (MVMAS) for Nationals 2015. In order to have recognition programs in place to begin when our breed is fully recognized, we need an active committee of creative volunteers to develop these programs. Club members with an interest in participating in this effort are encouraged to email Sue Fontaine, Director and Board Liaison for the Special Programs Committee, at smfontaine@comcast.net.

Sincerely,

MASCUSA Board of Directors