The History of FCRSA
The Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America is the American Kennel Club’s official national parent club for purebred Flat-Coated Retrievers.
The FCRSA was formed in 1960 by a small group of Flat-Coat owners including Homer and Merc Downing who imported Pewcroft Prefect UDT and Atherbram Stella UD; Edward and Dorothy Moroff who imported Rab of Morinda and Jet of Lilling; and Sally Terroux who imported Ch. Claverdon Duchess, CDX.
Annual meetings have been held since 1960 with the first AKC licensed Specialty Show and Obedience Trial taking place in Western Springs, Illinois in March, 1978.
The Society’s Constitution and By-laws was adopted in 1966 and the Code of Ethics, which all Society members sign, was accepted in 1973, then revised in 1997.
The Society’s Working Certificate program was begun in 1975, enabling non-field trial dogs to demonstrate their working ability and to receive recognition for this by the Society. These titles are designated by a WC or WCX behind the dogs name. Field Trial placements are designated by stars after the name.
In 1975 the AKC invited the Society to initiate a column to be included in the AKC Gazette. This practice continues.
The Society was incorporated in the State of Illinois in 1977, the same year it obtained blanket insurance coverage for all Society sponsored events. Details of insurance coverage may be obtained from the Treasurer.
Now the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America, Inc.’s Newsletter is published quarterly in February, May, August, and November. An additional Newsletter is published in connection with the Annual Specialty and is combined with the August issue. The Newsletter contains articles and pictures of interest to Flat-Coat owners and also advertisements and announcements. The Newsletter is sent to each Society member, as is a roster of members.
In 1992 the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America, Inc. became a member club of the American Kennel Club. Copies of the Society constitution are available through the Recording Secretary.
Each year the Bramcroft Obedience Trophy is awarded to the Highest Scoring dog entered in the regular classes at the National Specialty. A keeper trophy is presented at that time also.
The Field Trophy, presented to the Society in 1975 by Edward and Dorothy Moroff, is a silver punch bowl and tray with 12 individual presentation cups. The non-retiring, traveling Field Trophy as well as the individual presentation cup is awarded at the Annual Meeting.
Special awards are presented each year for Best in Show wins, High in Trial wins, placements in all field trials, Obedience Championships, Field Championships and Amateur Field championships.
The objectives of the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America shall be:
- to encourage and promote quality in the breeding of pure-bred Flat-Coated Retrievers, and to do all possible to bring their natural, multi-purpose qualities to perfection;
- to urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by The American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which Flat-Coated Retrievers shall be judged;
- to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, obedience trials, field events, tracking, agility and other dog-related events; and
- to conduct sanctioned matches, specialty shows, obedience trials, field events, tracking and agility under the rules of The American Kennel Club