# 2099 FDC - 1984 20c Dogs: Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Cocker Spaniel

U.S. #2099
1984 20¢ Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Cocker Spaniel
Dogs

• From a block of four stamps featuring eight dog breeds that are popular in the US
• Stamp issue coincided with 100^th anniversary of the American Kennel Club (AKC)

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Set:  Dogs
Value:  20¢, rate for first-class mail
First Day of Issue:  September 7, 1984
First Day City:  New York, New York
Quantity Issued:  54,065,000
Printed by:  Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method:  Photogravure
Format:  Panes of 40 in sheets of 160
Perforations:  11

Why the stamp was issued:  To pay tribute to dogs, man’s best friend.  1984 was also the 100^th anniversary of the American Kennel Club (AKC), though the USPS said that the stamps weren’t issued to commemorate that event.

About the stamp design:  In selecting the eight dogs to be featured on these stamps, the USPS wanted to picture dogs that originated in America and were widely found across the country.  While a few of the dogs are American breeds, many grew from dogs brought over from other countries.  These stamps were designed by Roy Anderson, who based his paintings on photos provided by the American Kennel Club (AKC). 

This stamp features:

Chesapeake Bay Retriever – These sport dogs originated in the US in the 1800s.  They’re notable for their rugged endurance – able to survive in freezing temperatures and rough seas.  They also have great memories and are popular for duck hunting.

Cocker Spaniel – These have long been one of the world’s most popular dogs.  American cocker spaniels are descended from English cocker spaniels that were named after their primary prey – the Eurasian woodcock.  When they were brought to America, they were trained to hunt the American woodcock.

First Day City:  While the USPS stated that the Dog stamps didn’t specifically commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the AKC, they were issued at the AKC headquarters in New York City New York.

Unusual fact about the Dog stamps:  These were not the first US stamps to picture dogs.  In fact, the first US stamp to picture a dog was the 1893 30¢ Columbian stamp, in which a large dog can be seen at the foot of a man near the right end of the table.  Dogs were included as small parts of larger scenes for several other stamps.  The first stamp to feature a dog as the main subject was the 1966 Humane Treatment of Animals stamp.

History the stamp represents:  The American Kennel Club (AKC) was founded by a small group of twelve dog owners in 1884. Their goal was to protect and maintain the integrity of bloodlines by registering the lineage of purebred dogs. That means the offspring of AKC-registered dogs have the best chance of inheriting the ideal traits of their breed – and owners get a pet that conforms to the behavior admired in each breed.

Today, the AKC is the largest and most well-known kennel club in the world. It benefits purebred dogs and their owners by distributing information, monitoring key legislation, recognizing new breeds and much more.  The club maintains a pedigree registry.  In order for a dog to be included, his parents must be registered with the AKC.  A mixed breed dog may be accepted if the owners wish to compete in AKC agility or obedience competitions.  

Each year the AKC hosts many dog shows.   There are competitions for different groups of breeds, such as field trials for hounds and sheepdog trials for herding dogs.  Some of the most popular events for champion show dogs are the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship; both generally televised.