AKC considers MIXBREED Program

[carmen in nj]

Sorry, I didn't know any other way to do this.

The Board and Staff have been considering a program for mixed breeds since January 2005. After
extensive research, including gathering feedback from AKC Delegates, AKC Clubs, and mixed breed dog
owners, the Board unanimously approved a program for mixed breed dogs at the April 2009 Board
Meeting. This followed the non-binding resolutions passed by an overwhelming majority of the
Delegates at the March 2009 meeting asking the Board to reconsider a program for mixed breeds.
The details of the program are presented below. Thank you to all Delegates, club officers, and club
members who have provided feedback over the years. The program, which includes a Listing Service and
Competition Eligibility, is a result of many years worth of research. You have been an integral part of the
process and the feedback received has been invaluable.

Please contact

mixedbreeds@ akc.org if you have any questions regarding this new program.

Effective October 1

st, 2009, mixed breed dog owners can list their dogs with the AKC’s new mixed breed

program.

1. Dogs in the program would be issued an ID number.


2. Dogs must be spayed or neutered.


3. The fee for the program would be $35.


4. In Phase I, listed dogs would receive:


a. A certificate of participation


b. A competition card, with their identification number. This number allows mixed breeds


to compete in AKC Agility, Rally, and Obedience events


c. Access to a community of dog lovers interested in supporting all things canine, including


the AKC Humane Fund


d. Affiliation with an organization that:


i. Actively supports the right to own and breed dogs responsibly by fighting antiownership


legislation at the local, state, and federal level


ii. Donates millions to canine health research, making all dogs healthier in the long


run


iii. Proactively responds to disasters like 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina, reaching out to


all dog owners in need during stressful times

[carmen in nj]

The Listing Service will be enhanced in Phase II. In Phase II, effective July 1, 2010 participating dogs


will also receive:


a. Discounted enrollment in the AKC CAR Lost & Found service, which includes a collar


tag and 24-7 recovery services


a. An AKC Supporter window decal


b. Free CGC certificate for dogs that pass a CGC test


c. Copy of The New Puppy Handbook and/or sample of Family Dog magazine


d. Free initial veterinary visit


e. Trial offer of pet health insurance


f. Discount coupons to an online dog store


The Listing Service will be enhanced again in Phase III, allowing owners of mixed breed dogs to have


access to interactive website with fun features such as forums, picture contests, dog care video


downloads, information on pet-friendly businesses, advice from experts, etc. The effective date for the


new website will be determined in the future based on the needs of those enrolled.


Competition in Companion Events


Effective April 1

st, 2010, the competition parameters governing mixed breed participation in AKC

Agility, Rally, and Obedience events:

1. AKC clubs would have the option to hold a class for Agility, Obedience, or Rally events. Those


clubs electing to hold mixed breed classes will offer the same classes for mixed breed dogs and


purebred dogs.


2. Mixed Breed classes can only be held at standalone AKC Agility, Obedience, and Rally Events.


The class could not be offered at All Breed Shows, Group Shows, or independent specialties,


even if Agility, Obedience, or Rally events are being held.

a. The definition of standalone AKC Companion event is an AKC Agility,


Obedience, or Rally event that is not held on the same date AND show site as an


AKC all-breed show or independent specialty.


3. Mixed breed dogs would compete in separate class divisions from AKC purebred dogs.

a. The club is not required to hold the classes in separate rings under separate Judges. The


purebred classes can be held in the same ring, under the same Judge, as the mixed breed


classes. Placements and titles would be scored and awarded separately.


b. For example, in Agility in the Regular class, all purebred dogs entered in the Regular 16


inch class would run, followed in the same ring by the mixed breed dogs entered in the


Regular 16 inch class.


4. Allows event-giving club to decide if group exercises in Obedience, specifically long sits and


downs, should be combined to save time or should be completed separately. The club is not


required to hold the classes in separate rings under separate Judges. Placements and titles would


be scored and awarded separately.


5. Mixed breed dogs would earn different titles from purebred dogs.


a. Mixed breed dogs would earn titles with a Mixed Breed suffix (i.e. NAC-Novice Agility


Mixed Breed)


6. Dogs competing in the class would be eligible to earn similar (but separate) titles as purebreds,


including MACH-M (Master Agility Champion Mixed Breed), OTCH-M, and RAE-M.


7. Dogs competing in classes would NOT be eligible for National Championships or Invitational


events.


The mixed breed concept that was approved has strong support from AKC Delegates and other key


fanciers.

o

In a strategic planning survey in January 2005, 65% of the responding Delegates either supported

mixed breeds in AKC competition or had no opinion on the issue.

o

In a telephone survey of 84 all-breed, training, and specialty clubs that hold agility and obedience

trials, 78% supported AKC clubs having the option to offer classes for mixed breeds at their trials.

o

[carmen in nj]

o In a Fancier Survey completed by 21,017 exhibitors, Delegates, club members, club officers, and dog
owners in February 2007, 70% of respondents agreed AKC clubs should have the option to offer
classes for mixed breeds at Companion events. 67% of exhibitors, 65% of Delegates, 65% of club
members, and 60% of club officers agreed.

The Delegate Body has been consulted on five occasions regarding a mixed breed program. In
addition to the two surveys mentioned above in which Delegates participated:

o

President Dennis Sprung addressed the Delegates in his December 2006 President’s speech.
At this time, he asked for the Delegates advice and assistance in developing a potential
program for mixed breeds.

o

In June 2007, the results of the Fancier Survey referenced above were presented to the Delegates.
Two briefing sessions were conducted on Sunday, June 10th. Staff collected feedback during these
briefing sessions and presented the results and the consolidated feedback during the Forum on
Monday, June 11. Feedback received during these sessions was incorporated in the follow-up
presentation to the Board in October 2007.

o

In June 2008, President Sprung presented an overview of the Mixed Breed listing service to the
Delegates and asked for feedback on four outstanding questions. Specifically, 1) Should AKC appear
in the name of the affiliate organization administering the program, 2) Should group exercises such as
the long sits and downs in Obedience be completely separate or should they be combined for mixes
and purebreds to save time, 3) Do club bylaws prevent mixed breed classes, and 4) Is a $35 fee for a
mixed breed listing reasonable? The speech and questions were distributed to Delegates at the
meeting and posted on the Delegates-L. A reminder was sent on July 22, letting clubs know of the
extension to submit feedback up until the August Board Meeting. AKC received survey responses
from 61 clubs, including 34 All-Breed Kennel Clubs, 21 Parent Clubs, and 6 Dog training Clubs. The
feedback was incorporated into the final plan being presented to the Board this month.

o

At the September, 2008 Delegate meeting and again at the March 2009 Delegates meeting, nonbinding
straw polls of the Delegates indicated overwhelming support for a Mixed Breed listing

service

[ChantalB]

In My Opinion,

This is absolutely ridiculous!!

How can the AKC go against his own believed like that?

This is a shameful way of making money !!

No impress at ALL!

Thanks for posting.

[phfgkl]

I have never cared for AKC. Not after they gave me the run around on my supposed pomeranian I had years ago. They're all about money!

[bchgirl]

I don't understand a problem with that program. It has nothing to do with breeding or registering mixed litters. It's purpose is for an individual neutered mix breed dog to participate in AKC agility and obedience events.Years ago, we owned a sheltie/westie mix and she competed in agility events sponsored by other organizations.

[Nikki+2]

I don't understand the problem either. I would feel differently if they were registering mixed breeds under their designer names but putting them all in one category of mixed breed and requiring them to be neutered sounds fine to me.

ETA: Actually the more I think about it the more I like the idea. If someone really enjoys things like agility competitions, they shouldn't be punished for adopting a mixed breed from a shelter.

[BamaFan121s]

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. I've seen so many comments regarding 'why' AKC is the premier registry and one of the first things always thrown out there is "they don't register mixed breed dogs like other registries." Well, now apparently they do, so that kind of throws that whole argument out the window...it will be interesting to see how opinions change now...

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. I've seen so many comments regarding 'why' AKC is the premier registry and one of the first things always thrown out there is "they don't register mixed breed dogs like other registries." Well, now apparently they do, so that kind of throws that whole argument out the window...it will be interesting to see how opinions change now...

They aren't registering them in any relation to breeding...there lies the difference and the animal must be neutered.

I see it as vastly different than an alternative registry...that accepts a photo as "documented" proof of a particular breed.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

They aren't registering them in any relation to breeding...there lies the difference and the animal must be neutered.

Aside from the 'must be neutered' aspect, what exactly is the difference? What exactly is 'in any relation to breeding'? (I think I'm a bit confused as to what exactly people are taking that to mean, but the end result is the same, is it not? A dog being registered as a mix? Clearly it was a result of two dogs being bred somewhere...?

Originally Posted by bchgirl

I see it as vastly different than an alternative registry...that accepts a photo as "documented" proof of a particular breed.

Well I certainly don't agree with that, but that's a totally different issue altogether...has nothing to do with this...

[Nikki+2]

Other registries recognize mixed breeds as their own breed (morkie, yorkiepoo, etc.) giving them the appearance of not being a mixed breed but a breed in their own right. Then people can breed them and make $$$ for their "rare" or designer breed. From how I read it, the AKC would put them all in the category of mixed breed. They would not be shown for conformation and can not be bred. I just can't see any harm in it and it's completely different than what other registries do.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Other registries recognize mixed breeds as their own breed (morkie, yorkiepoo, etc.) giving them the appearance of not being a mixed breed but a breed in their own right. Then people can breed them and make $$$ for their "rare" or designer breed.

Really? I didn't realize that...which registries do that? I knew that a few would register them as a mixed breed dog, but did not know they actually referred to them as the given designer names on the paperwork. Also, I didn't think that you could register the offspring of those dogs registered as mixes as far as registering the whole litter...

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Aside from the 'must be neutered' aspect, what exactly is the difference? What exactly is 'in any relation to breeding'? (I think I'm a bit confused as to what exactly people are taking that to mean, but the end result is the same, is it not? A dog being registered as a mix? Clearly it was a result of two dogs being bred somewhere...?



Well I certainly don't agree with that, but that's a totally different issue altogether...has nothing to do with this...

In relation to breeding...I meant there would be no registering of a bitch or dog...nor entire litters.

People won't pay to register their purebred puppies AKC...I seriously doubt anyone will pay for this service unless they planned to compete. Why would they? So they can say...my dog is a AKC registered mix. The appeal is designed toward owners who wish to perform in AKC events...

There are no different classifications....a mix is a mix. There isn't any designation for say...a morkie, a yorkihuahua (just saw an ad for those...ugg)...or whatever designer name.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

In relation to breeding...I meant there would be no registering of a bitch or dog...nor entire litters.
There are no different classifications....a mix is a mix. There isn't any designation for say...a morkie, a yorkihuahua (just saw an ad for those...ugg)...or whatever designer name.

I didn't realize there were any registries now that would register a litter that was the result of a registered mixed breed dog? Also, what would be the point of registering a brood bitch if you couldn't register the pups?

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Really? I didn't realize that...which registries do that? I knew that a few would register them as a mixed breed dog, but did not know they actually referred to them as the given designer names on the paperwork. Also, I didn't think that you could register the offspring of those dogs registered as mixes as far as registering the whole litter...

Here ya go....

achclub