Dear Presidents and Friends of the Union,

Let me start my report with thanking the members of the board for the good cooperation in the past year.

We all speak about the responsibility towards our breed, about mutual important goals in breeding, health and vitality of our Leonbergers.
These are themes that occupy us all.
To safeguard together what has been achieved is not enough.

Improvement and initiatives for future high quality advancements and health should be the primary objectives.

I must emphasize that the importance of putting recommendations and uniform breeding regulations, the betterment and harmonisation of the type and the detection and fight against hereditary defects and diseases, is the first priority.

This is a challenge for us all.

Our strength does not lie in quantity, but rather far more from the intensity of the engagements for our breed, our clubs and through that for the development of the Leonberger Union.

Our pledge is that together we build on our mutual available strengths and create further potential. Goals outlined in the constitution are followed consistently and competently with a positive attitude

The question that provides the guidelines for our actions during all debates, recommendations and rules must be: “What is the purpose for our breed and how can this be achieved?”

The International Union is not just any organisation; rather it is an institution that supports an already 163 year old breeding and success story, now represented worldwide, an achievement of which we can be proud.

The stimulus must be not only to manage Heinrich Essig’s legacy but to leave behind for future generations, on an international plain, the best we can.

The Union, and therefore all of us can only guarantee success if the philosophy of the member clubs works in the right direction. Therefore it is essential to trust the boards of the clubs to do the right thing.

At the latest before the AGM the presidents see if the goals set for the year were reached.

The board of the Union did this at yesterday’s meeting, and made a prognosis for 2010.

The balance is OK, and points in the right direction (more about this in the treasurer’s report).

The planning for the International Judges Seminar in November has been closed.

Invitation and program were sent. The willingness of the speakers Petra Junehall, Denis Vernon, Peter Cejnek and Guido Perosino, whose contribution to the success of the seminar is essential, must be praised.

The international composition of the speakers allows us to see our Leonberger not only from the point of view of the home country Germany. This is an ideal ground for discussions, with the goal to interpret the standard correctly and before uniform on an international level.

I should point out that not all countries have used the allowed number of 3 participating judges.

Our Leonberger Symposium will be held in 2010.

It is time to start planning now.

We all know that the Organization of such an international event costs a lot of money.

This is a challenge that will be borne by many shoulders.

The agenda point 8 “coming events of the Union” allows us to discuss together themes, speakers and so on. It allows us, if necessary, to find out if the symposium can be realised. It is clear that with limited financial means one cannot realise an international event.

The events around a double artificial insemination left a bitter taste.

Such an action is forbidden by FCI!

The board requires that not only member countries whose kennel club is member of FCI strongly denounce such actions.

Recommendations how to act with artificial insemination and the related responsibilities of breeders and stud dog owners are now on the Union’s website.

I may also remind you that the Union Awards will again be awarded next year at a special club show, the board looks forward to requests.

There are still many challenges and many changes to conquer, I am looking forward to a good cooperation with you all.