AKC Announces New Program for Mixed Breeds
 

New York, NY – For the past 125 years, the American Kennel Club® has been the nation's premier advocate for dogs and the people who love them. The AKC's Board of Directors has voted unanimously to proceed with a program for mixed breed dogs which will allow it to act even more broadly and effectively as the dog's champion. The creation of this program ushers in new opportunities for AKC's constituents and clubs and will allow the organization to grow and flourish.

"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."

The mixed breeds program will be implemented in three phases. As of October 1, 2009 owners can begin enrolling their pets and receive an AKC ID number. Then beginning April 1, 2010 enrolled dogs will be eligible to compete in mixed breed classes at stand-alone AKC Agility, Obedience and Rally events. Soon after they will have access to benefits such as discounted AKC Companion Animal Recovery Lost and Found service, a free AKC Canine Good Citizen® certificate for dogs passing the CGC test, a free initial veterinary visit, a trial offer of pet health insurance and discounted coupons for dog supplies.

The third phase will offer a dedicated Web site where dog owners can interact via an online community with discussion forums and access dog care video downloads, advice from experts and the most up-to-date news on canine health and welfare. The site will be continually enhanced with new features and benefits in order to respond to the changing needs of pet owners.

This new AKC initiative is the first designed to specifically benefit mixed breed dogs and their dog owners, however the AKC has long included mixed breeds in programs such as AKC Canine Good Citizen®, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppysm, AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day and the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund's disaster relief efforts. In addition, AKC has always actively advocated for the rights of all dog owners and the welfare of dogs through its Government Relations efforts and serves dog owners through its affiliate organizations such as the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation and AKC Companion Animal Recovery.

For more information about the AKC's mixed breeds program, visit www.akc.org/mixedbreeds.

Copied from:American Kennel Club - AKC Announces New Program for Mixed Breeds

AKC is finally caving in. They are desperate for money and will get it any way they can. Maybe they sholud now be known as "Alternative Kennel Club"

I think its, for the most part, a nice idea for those who cant afford a pure-bred dog or already have a mix and would like to be included in some of AKC's activities and events. It gets families involved in the dog world without having to put out the big bucks for comformation shows. I believe all mixed dogs have to be neutered/spayed to compete in the new programs and they cant be entered in conformation as that is only for judging purebred breeding stock. I think that it will make for a great fun and educational family week-end for dog lovers!
At least AkC isnt registring the mix breeds as a "breed" like so many other of the "alphabet soup" bogus registries. I dont think they are "caving in" but are trying to get more people involved in the dog world. Looks like a win win to me.

I would like to show but am very disappointed that we cannot due to our dogs being fixed. I understand the background of the purpose of showing a dog was to show you have good breeding stock..... But nowadays with the over pet population, I think fixed dogs should also have a chance in the ring, it is modern times.

There would be no point in showing in conformation with the breeding stock. Maybe a class for all fixed purebreds only! That would be fun! But not in the same rings or times as the real conformation classes.

I like the idea of non-breeding show dogs! A fixed pure-bred category would be a great addition! Especially with Yorkies, many are spayed or neutered before their full glory has shown. I think that would have been a much better change than to start giving tacit approval to mix breeding (both intentional and careless owner types). Big:thumbdown! AKC has stepped down a notch just for money. Their altruistic words cannot cover for their real motive -- sad!

I have loved mixed breed dogs I have owned in the past. One of my favorites was a little pound puppy. So, I don't have any animosity for them, but expanding AKC programs for them?? Required dog licensing with rabies vaccines gives ID numbers, we don't need AKC doing that. So, is this a first step into giving full registration to every mixed breed that crops up like the two bit registries do?

I guess everyone has a different opinion. :) I believe this is just for animals that compete in agility events, and I'm not sure they are even registered, I think it's just that they can compete. I personally disagree with the s/n requirement. What if someone wants to breed a dog for agility? Why not go to the ring?

On a similar note, I think the idea of what a dog show is has moved so far off its ostensible purpose that s/n'd dogs should be allowed to compete. Hey, maybe the animal has a sister. ;)

No! AkC is NOT going to give full registration to mixes!

AKC is NOT registering mixed breeds. Animals in the program are assigned a number which allows them to compete in mixed breed classes at stand-alone AKC agility, obedience and rally events. No registration or pedigee is given.

Other show circuits such as NAKC and IABCA have classes for neutered pets. I know in IABCA titles aren't earned though...

Yes, in their own category. I believe the cat shows have a similar category.


CFA Household Pet Class

^ Plus, one of the requirements is that the dog be spayed or neutered.
I have mixed feelings about the new program.

Why? If these new programs can get families out to participate in dog events, whats wrong with that? Its alot of family fun along with education on responsible dog ownership. Who knows, someone may just get the "show bug" and make a career out of it! Junior handling on up to judging! Kids can learn that hard work eventually pays off when competing in the ring, be it agility, obedience, CGC, etc. Its something that they can be proud of! And I am glad that the requirements are that the dogs be spayed/neutered.:thumbup: Unless I am missing something it looks like a win win to me.

It seems okay now, in the beginning, but I can easily see future additions that send the whole program down hill (FAST!). I think it's great to have a program for those that already have a mixed breed to be able to compete, BUT I think down the road it's going to encourage mutt breedings. (mixed breed)
JMO

That is possible especially with bybers that have gotten their AkC rights taken away. :( But is may also be a venue to encourage people to adopt from a rescue or from the pound.

Wow, there sure are a lot of high horses here. And I thought my horses were tall!
There will always be purebred dog breeders, and there will always be mixed dog breeders (yes, even responsible ones! Can you imagine?? :rolleyes: ). No purebred dogs are going to go extinct, no need to worry.
I don't even think it would be a bad idea if they did do a mixed breed pedigree just so that people can track their dogs lines and they can be aware of any genetic issues. Mixed breeds deserve to be healthy too.