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As one of the many owners of
a mixed-breed dog, it has long been a frustration that
our beautiful, well-trained, one-of-a-kind pets have had
few opportunities to show off their abilities in various
areas of dog sport.
The Purebred Alternative
Listing from the American Kennel Club was and still is
available for those dogs that appeared to be a specific
breed with an unknown pedigree, but very few avenues
remained for the dog clearly of mixed heritage. Since
1884, the AKC has been "dedicated to the welfare,
sport and breeding stock of purebred dogs," but
times have changed, and beginning in October, mixed
breed dogs can receive a registration number along with
the ability to participate in some AKC events.
Mixed breeds will need to
be spayed or neutered in order to receive an
identification number, and will then be allowed to
participate in agility, obedience and rally events
beginning in April, provided they are stand-alone
events. This means that any event that includes an
all-breed or specialty conformation show cannot include
any mixed-breed events. So don't look for mixed breeds
to show up on television during the Eukanuba Challenge
or Westminster Kennel Club show; they will not be
represented.
Mixed breeds will not
compete directly with purebred dogs. They may be judged
by the same judge and held to the same performance
standard, but their classes and titles will be separate.
For example, OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion) and MACH
(Master Agility Champion) titles will remain for
purebred dogs, while mixed breeds meeting the same
requirements will be titled as OTCH-M or MACH-M.
The AKC Canine Good
Citizen program has long been available to mixed breeds,
but soon all of the perks, including a free CGC
certificate for those passing the test, a free initial
veterinary visit, discounted AKC Companion Animal
Recovery Lost and Found service, and discounted coupons
for dog supplies will be made available.
Participation in purebred
performance events has been down the last few years, and
the AKC has readily stated that one of the reasons the
mixed breed program was created was to bring new members
into the AKC fold, not only to share the knowledge and
passion for dogs, but to raise the numbers of dog owners
they represent. The larger the number of AKC members,
the greater the ability to maintain legislative
influence and be a voice for public opinion on important
issues.
"Our goal in
creating a program specifically designed for mixed
breeds is to share our passion for dogs and our
sport," said AKC President and CEO Dennis Sprung.
"AKC will broaden its legislative influence by
representing more dog owners and achieve greater
exposure for our responsible dog ownership messaging.
But ultimately, the positive developments that this
program creates will benefit dogs the most, and this is
what we value above all."
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