AKC Allows Mixed Breed Dogs a Paw in the Door
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has announced that as of April 1, 2010, mixed breed dogs can now compete in Rally, Agility and Obedience events. This is big news in the dog world. Up to now, AKC only allowed purebred dogs to compete in dog sports.
To be eligible to participate in AKC sporting events, guardians of mixed breed dogs must register and enroll them in AKC’s Mixed Breed program, called “AKC Canine Partners .” For a one-time fee, your dog gets an official AKC registration number, which allows him to compete in certain events.
I’m ambivalent about this development. On one hand, it’s about time that AKC allowed mixed breeds to compete in organized dog sporting events. I’ve always wondered why mixed breeds have been traditionally excluded. There’s no evidence that mixed breeds are any less keen on, able, agile or fit for dog sports than purebreds. And while AKC has always been committed to preserving subjective breed standards, which are largely concerned with purebreds’ physical appearance, it’s unclear to me how those standards relate to a dog’s sporting abilities.
On the other hand, AKC hasn’t gone the whole distance to full inclusion of mixed breeds. First, AKC has left it up to individual AKC dog clubs, which hold the sporting competitions, to decide whether to allow mixed breeds to compete. Individual clubs need not include mixed breeds at all. Second, mixed breeds won’t be competing against the purebreds. AKC has separated mixed breed competitions into a category unto themselves.
Separating mixed breeds into another category reminds me of some unsavory chapters in history when discrimination was the norm and “separate” was touted as “equal.” Why can’t mixed breeds compete against purebreds? That’s a good question. I can’t think of a good answer.
The bottom line? AKC’s decision will afford many more opportunities for mixed breed dogs and their humans who want to participate in dog sports at a competitive level. Allowing mixed breeds to compete, even in a separate category, is definitely a step in the right direction.
For information on AKC’s Canine Partners program, including how to enroll your dog and how to find local mixed breed sporting events, go to http://www.akc.org/mixedbreeds/index.cfm.
Flickr Photo Credit: SheltieBoy, S Alex Maier
Reader comments
Actually AKC is now allowing (effective in May) mixed breeds to compete with purebreds in AKC events. My concern is that people will try to create a "super dog" to compete in events, which is something that I have heard be of concern to others. We already have enough "designer dogs" out there without this. Also, face it, they aren't doing it to be fair to the mutts, they are doing it to increase their bottom line. AKC doesn't care about mutts, they care about bucks!!
Yes, I think this may encourage backyard breeders - we definitely need to have more legislation around puppy mills and backyard breeders. There are so many dogs out there that need good homes -