Standing Rules

In accordance with Article VIII of the By-Laws, the Board shall establish and publish standard operating rules and regulations to assist in managing the day-to-day affairs of the club. Rules may be changed by simple majority vote of the Board. Accordingly, the following rules have been established by the Board:

SECTION 1. General:

  1. Club Colors: The Club color shall be Emerald Green.
  2. Use of Club Insignia or Marks: All use of the letters "LRCP", "The Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac, Inc." or the image of Miss Willing in any form of published materials or as a mark on any product or device shall be approved by the Board of Directors in advance. (March 2002)
  3. Expense Reimbursement: Requests for reimbursement shall be submitted to the Club Treasurer on the Club Expense Reimbursement form which is available in several forms on the Club web site. Requests shall be submitted within 90 days of the event and must have supplier receipts attached.

SECTION 2. Publishing Rules (Newsletter & Web Site):

  1. Responsibility for Information: The Chairperson of each Club event shall be responsible for providing information to the webmaster fro publication on the Club Web site.(June 2002)
  2. Committee Membership: All committee chairpersons and committee members shall be approved by the Board and shall be published each month in the Club newsletter.(February 2004)
  3. Web site Litter Listings: Litter listings on the Club web site and in the Club newsletter shall include final OFA clearances including OFA numbers for hips. No other clearances for hips shall be accepted. Litters shall not be listed for parents who have only preliminary clearances. Litter listing may remain on the web site for no more than four months.(January 2001)(Modified October 2006)
  4. Annual Treasurer's Report: A simple accounting of our Club monies shall be published in the Club newsletter annually. This report shall indicate the profitability of each Club event. Additionally, the report shall list all individuals or organizations that have received donations from the Club. (February 1999)
  5. Minutes of Board Meetings: A summary of the minutes of each Board Meeting shall be published in the Club newsletter. (April 1997)

SECTION 3. Field Event Rules:

  1. Release Statement: The wording for the release statement for training days and hunt tests shall read as follows: "The LRCP will not tolerate the abuse of dogs nor unsportsmanlike conduct. AKC rules and regulations regarding humane treatment of birds will be followed." (March 2001)
  2. Working Certificate: The purpose of the Working Certificate (WC) test is to encourage the development of the natural retrieving abilities of the labrador through training.
  3. WC Land Series: The land series shall consist of retrieving one duck on land in light cover where possible. Killed ducks may be used. The fall shall be at a distance of about 50 yards. Bird throwers shall be visible.
  4. WC Water Series: Water series shall consist of two back-to-back singles. Killed ducks may be used. Swimming water is preferred for both retrieves but a definite requirement for one. The falls shall be at about 35 to 50 yards. They shall be not less than 60 degrees apart nor more than 120 degrees apart, and shall fall at a 45 degree angle back from the guns. One bird shall be in natural light cover when possible and the other shall be visible from the line in open water. Bird throwers should be visible.
  5. WC Handler Guidelines: The handler shall bring the dog to the line on leash. Standard leather or nylon flat collars shall be allowed. The handler may hold the dog by the collar or leash until the judge tells the handler to send the dog to retrieve. The dog shall deliver each bird across the line. Delivery to hand is not required. The handler may speak to the dog for encouragement while the dog is on his return. During water retrieves the dog shall bring the duck out of the water onto the land. The dog must be able to see all falls.
  6. WC Automatic Eliminations: A dog and his handler shall be automatically eliminated if a) the dog is sent before the judge's command, b) the dog chews the bird, c) the handler manhandles the dog in any way, or d) if there is an uncontrolled break.
  7. Working Certificate Excellent (WCX): The purpose of the Working Certificate Excellent (WCX) test is to encourage the development of the natural retrieving and hunting abilities of the labrador through training.
  8. WCX Land Series: The land series shall be a double retrieve on land in light to moderate cover where possible. The double may include a killed duck an a shot flyer or two killed ducks. The falls shall be at a distance of about 50 to 75 yards. They shall not be less than 60 degrees apart nor more than 120 degrees apart, and shall fall at a 45 degree angle back from the guns, thus eliminating the possibility of "square" or incoming falls. The bird throwers shall be visible.
  9. WCX Water Series: The water series shall consist of retrieving two ducks (killed ducks may be used) from water as a double retrieve with an honor. Swimming water is preferred for both retrieves, but a definite requirement of one. The falls shall be at about 40-60 yards. They shall not be less than 60 degrees apart nor more than 120 degrees apart, and shall fall at a 45 degree angle back from the guns. One bird shall be in light to moderate cover where possible as the memory bird, and the other shall be fully visible from the line in open water. Two to four artificial decoys shall be used but not in direct line with either fall. Bird throwers shall be visible. Ideally, the first bird should fall approximately 40 yards in cover and the second approximately 60 yards in open water.
  10. WCX Handler Guidelines: The handler shall bring the dog quietly to the line off leash. Leashes must be completely concealed. Collars shall not be allowed. There shall be no touching of the dogs by the handler at any time during the test. the dog should be steady on the line until the judge directs the handler to send the dog to retrieve. One controlled break shall be allowed provided the dog is readily controlled without handler intimidating or manhandling the dog. The dog shall deliver each bird to hand and relinquish it easily. The handler may speak to the dog for encouragement to return. The honor is defined as the dog sitting quietly of leash at the handler's side at a spot designated by the judge. the handler may speak quietly to the honoring dog provided it does not interfere with the working dog. The honoring dog must be able to see both falls and will be excused by the judge after the running dog leaves the line to retrieve.
  11. WCX Automatic Eliminations: A dog and his handler shall be automatically eliminated if a) the dog is sent before the judge calls your number, b)the dog "switches" (defined as when the dog gives up the hunt after a search, leaves the area and goes after another bird, or when he drops the bird he is retrieving and goes for another. It should not be considered switching if, while on the way to the fall, he sees or finds another bird before he reaches the area of the fall, which he started to go for first.), c) any dog who reaches the area of the fall, begins to hunt but stops before finding the bird, and either returns to the handler, is called in or starts for another fall, d) manhandling the dog, or e) a break on the honor.
  12. AKC Registration: All dogs must be registered with the AKC.

SECTION 4. Trophy Rules:

  1. Trophy Chairpersons: There shall be two trophy chairpersons: the Show Trophy Chairperson and the Club Trophy Chairperson. The Show Trophy Chairperson shall have custody of and handle all trophies that are awarded for the Spring "Potomac" Specialty and the Fall "Bare Bones" Specialty. The Club Trophy Chairperson shall have custody of and handle all Club trophies that are competed for annually. (November 2003)
  2. Possession: Show trophies shall be given to recipients to take home after each show. The trophies shall remain in the winner's possessions for eight months. Trophies shall be returned to the Show Trophy Chairperson four months prior to the next year's event in good condition. A deposit of ___ shall be left with the Club to cover damage. (October 2006)
  3. Permanent Possession: For permanent possession, a trophy must be won three times by the same owner, but not necessarily with the same dog. An individual who wins a trophy three times shall have the right to re-donate the trophy to the Club for continued use.

SECTION 5. New Trophy Rules:

  1. AKC Rules: All trophies offered at the Spring Specialty and the Fall Specialty shall adhere to AKC rules. The owner of the winning dog shall have custody of the trophy for one year and the name of the winning dog shall be engraved thereon.
  2. Appropriateness: Trophies offered by the LRCP are of significant value and prestige. They represent the heritage, traditions and significant contributions the Club and its members have made to the breed. Members wishing to offer new trophies should consider the significance our Club's trophies carry within the Labrador community.
  3. Board Approval: Members wishing to offer new trophies must submit to the Board for approval a detailed description with dimensions and a sketch or photograph of a likeness of the proposed trophy. The Board reserves the right to reject any and all proposals deemed inappropriate or not in keeping with the stature of the Club. Trophies are presently awarded in the following categories: Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed, Best of Winners, Winners Dog, Winners Bitch, Best Puppy, Best Bred-by-Exhibitor Dog and Best Bred-by-Exhibitor Bitch, First Open Bitch, Black, Yellow or Chocolate, First Hunting Retriever Dog and First Hunting Retriever Bitch.
  4. Approval Timelines: The LRCP Board must approve all trophies. In order to be considered for either Specialty this approval must be finalized six months before the show. In accordance with the By-Laws the Board meets at least five times each year. The schedule of meetings is published on the Club web site and in the newsletter.

SECTION 6. Member Recognition:

  1. Club Trophy Rules: The Club offers numerous trophies in regognition of specific achievement. Specific rules for each trophy are available here.
  2. Member Recognition: In addition to the numerous Club Trophies, any member who finishes a dog's championship or who earns a Master Hunter Title shall receive a miniature walnut duck from the Club. (May 1995)
  3. Medallions: Any Club Member who completes a title at one of our Club functions shall receive a medallion to commemorate the event. (May 1995)