Mix it Up! American Kennel Club Accepts Mixed Breeds

By: Colleen Terry

Whether you’re a die-hard lover of the purebred dog, or happily attached to the paw of your mixed breed pooch, it’s tough for any dog lover to deny that our four-legged friends, although domesticated, will always be in need of a little help from their best friends.  Which is why one of America’s leading advocates for dogs and their owners; the American Kennel Club® (AKC) will now recognize mixed breeds in its judging, classes and advocacy.  This is good news for dog owners – great news for their dogs.

For those unfamiliar with the AKC, it is important to note that this 125-year-old organization does more than just facilitate competitions that captivate audiences.  They remain the voice of dogs and dog owners who seek support from legislative bodies that can influence the health and well-being of our beloved pooches.  Preventing animal cruelty and promoting responsible pet ownership are a top priority for members of the AKC board of directors.  The implementation of a program specifically designed for mixed breeds is another step toward achieving this goal.

As of October 1, 2009, owners of mixed breeds are able to enroll their pet in the program and receive an AKC ID number.  This is the first of three phases of this initiative.  April 1, 2010 marks the date that enrolled dogs will be able to compete in mixed breed classes at stand-alone (separately held, by date and location, from purebred competition) AKC Agility, Obedience and Rally events.  In other words, you won’t find Mixed Breed Dog shows in the Confirmation Dog Shows, as these events are, by definition, judged by purebred breed standards. 

In order to be eligible for this exciting new program, dogs must be spayed or neutered, and issued an ID number.  The fee for listing your dog in the program is $35.00.  

What this program is:

A unique opportunity to enjoy the special camaraderie of mixed breed dog owners across the country.  It is also a way to ensure that your dog is certified in the AKC Listing Service, which entitles you to discounted enrollment in the CAR Lost & Found Service, a free initial veterinary visit and trial membership to pet health insurance.  Look for an abundance of other discounts and other goodies that purebred dog owners have long been appreciating.  Perhaps most importantly, the Mixed Breed Program affords pet owners an association with an organization that is dedicated to supporting the rights of dogs and dog owners everywhere. 

What it’s not:  

Unlike purebred dogs that originate from an AKC-registered sire and AKC-registered dam, mixed breeds are not “registered”.  This means that AKC will not record any dog lineage, as offered to purebred dogs.  While mixed breeds will be able to earn titles at events, they will hold separate titles from purebreds, and they will not be eligible for National Championships or Invitational events.  Titles will be similar, but with a Mixed Breed suffix.  An example might be the title of the Novice Agility Mixed Breed.  The earned title will simply read NAM (Novice – Agility – Mixed Breed). 

Where do I sign up?!

If you are the enthusiastic owner of a mixed-breed dog, and would like to enter your pooch in a competition, simply apply for a confirmation number by visiting the AKC website (www.akc.org) or calling 1-919-233-9767 to reach a Customer Service Representative.  All forms will be available for downloading.  The confirmation number is important because it allows the AKC to keep a record of the awards of all dogs.  After April, 2010, keep an eye out for any competition at an AKC club that holds events for mixed breeds.  These regional “clubs” of AKC are actually just organizations that hold dog shows that adhere to the guidelines set forth by the AKC.  You will need your confirmation number to sign up for your dog to compete in any event, with the exception of Tracking (scent work). 

While the Board of Directors at AKC has already signed on the dotted line for this ground-breaking new program, you can imagine that not everyone is pleased with the decision.  “The response has been mostly positive, but we’ve had our share of complaints”, advised Sydney Suwamknarat, Coordinator of Companion Events at the AKC.  “People who enjoy the competition aspect of dog ownership have really welcomed the idea of allowing mixed breeds into the arena”, she states. 

So how do you feel about the program?  Are you a staunch believer that the AKC should honor only the purebred dogs, such as the Golden Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel or Yorkshire Terrier?  Or do you feel that a dog by any name is a dog just the same?  Perhaps you’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to show how lovely your mixed breed would look trotting down the runway at an AKC competition event. The AKC welcomes you to provide your feedback by visiting their website at www.mixedbreed@akc.org.  Either way, you’ll appreciate that, while all dogs may not be alike, they are equally loved by the American Kennel Club, and us.

Colleen Terry is the owner and writer of Douglass Avenue Dog Tales, a service that provides customers with the “framed fairy tale of you and your pet”.  She has self-published a children’s book entitled Can I Still Be Happy – When My Sister Is Sick?.  Colleen lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin with her husband, Paul, and she is proud “mama” to Cocker Spaniels Oliver J. and Carmen Rose.