Does anyone know about the AKC Mixed breed program was changed?

Question

I received a premium today for an agility trial. It stated that mixed breeds were allowed and that they would be competing head to head in the same classes as the purebreds. They had the attachement for an AKC change dated yesterday.

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/mixedBreed/CPLetter.pdf

It was my understanding that the mixed breeds were going to compete in different but equal classes as the purebreds.

Does anyone know exactly what this means and why this decision was made? Do you agree with it?

Answer 1

AKC made the decision to change the Mixed Breed Program this past Monday, Jan 11th. It will take effect Apr 1, 2010, when the program was originally set to start anyways. The only info posted on the AKC website is the letter from the link above. The other info about the Mixed Breed Program has not been updated for this change. So I can only assume from what the letter said that Mixed Breed dogs will be eligible to earn an OTCH or a MACH too. We'll have to wait & see what they say about if the mixed breeds will be eligible for OB Nationals or Agility Nationals & if they are how that will work. I'm curiously awaiting all the rules. Overall I'm glad to see this change. I'm well-used to competing with mixed breed dogs in USDAA, ASCA(Agility & OB) & NADAC. I am not worried about competing with/against the mixed breed dogs & handlers on any level. I know many times over the years I would have a very nice dog-handler Obedience/Rally team (adult or 4H) in my classes that wanted to show & have only a very limited choice of local trials for them to compete in. Here in NM we only have 2 UKC OB trials a year & a few ASCA OB trials. No AMBOR or other places for these mixed breed folks to compete. Agility they have a lot more choices, USDAA, ASCA & NADAC, we have no UKC Agility, DOCNA, TDAA, or CPE here in NM. So still by far there are many more AKC OB & Agility trials, most of them free-standing trials offered by local AKC Obedience Clubs. I am so pleased that these talented mixed breed dogs & their hard-working handlers will have a place to compete in AKC. I for one look forward to welcoming them on-board. I guess this means our Novice OB & Agility classes will be BIG for a while!

Willow: You seriously need to get your head out of the sand! Purebred dogs have NO advantage over mixed breed dogs in Agility, OB or Rally. A mixed breed dog-handler team can be just as successful in these performance events as a purebred dog. You need to get out to some all-breed competitions & watch these dogs work. Your statement reeks of your ignorance. A GOOD DOG IS A GOOD DOG IS A GOOD DOG. They come in all kinds of packages! Viva la Difference!

Source(s):

Obedience Trainer/Competitor 23 yrs

Agility ADDICT 10 yrs

4H Dog Project Trainer

*****You can read more about the vote & changes in the program in the January 2010 AKC Board Meeting Minutes on the AKC website.

Answer 2

Apparently those of you who said you would never do a group sit/down alongs side bigger dogs or various breeds have never competed in obedience trials before nor really attended an obedience trial to actually watch it. The group exercises for novice are all done with the owner in the ring..plain & simple..it isn't until open & utility which are obviously more advanced and the dogs are at a higher level that the owner leaves the ring and goes out of sight. During all phases the judge and the stweards are present and all are very well versed in safety and handling of dogs & dealing with a situation if it should arise (which rarely it rarely does) If a dog is out of control or ill mannered it is excused from the ring immediately. A dog that starts to interfer with another dog is also excused from the ring.



People don't feel comfortable competeing with all sizes & breeds of dogs should not even consider competeing...



As for agility which the poster said they got a premium list for...it is not obedience and is totally different...there are no group sits/downs.



There is no reason mixes can't compete along with purebreds...they are all dogs and it is the training & the handling that counts not the size or breed.



Before considering competeing you really should learn a lot more about what you are competeing in.



****In all AKC events they must be entered ahead of time and done before a specified closing date. They know exactly how many dogs they can accomodate at any given show..there are no "surprise entries" the day of the show, no hiring of an "extra" judge the day of the show, etc...all judges have been assigned to a particular show @ a year in advance..the only time there is a judge change is if an illness or emergency arises with the assigned judge and then the change in judges must be posted & announced before the class starts*********

*****In obedience trials no matter if purebred only (or now mixes) all sizes compete against each other and always have. I show and compete with Danes it is not at all uncommon for my Danes to be in a long sit/long down along side Chihuahuas and other size dogs. I have been competeing in AKC obedience for years now and AKC rally since it's inception....just because mixes are now competeing along with purebreds by no means indicates there will be any more issues then on rare occassion is seen with purebreds only....this is a very biased attitude and is unfortunate*********

****the same criteria that is expected of a purebred that competes is expected of mixes as well....anytime you have a group of dogs in any given area there can be problems, but fortunately these are far & few between at well run shows & trials. You stand a lot higher risk of your dog being attacked by another in your own neighborhood tehn you do at a well run show....and dog parks...well I won't even go there.******

Answer 3

Hmm I never heard about a change, apparently neither has my dad or he would have told me. My dad knows, and well I know too, quite a few AKC obedience judges who he sees quite often, so I am sure the subject would have popped up.



It was also my understanding that it would be mixed breeds competing against other mixed breeds after the judging of purebreds, that is the way it has always been stated. I don't see how/why they would change it when registration has already been in affect for over a month now I believe.



I don't mind it, I know quite a few mixed breed dogs that are great at obedience, even those of the "pit bull" type. It is still that they will be competing at independent obedience events. So if anyone has a problem with it they can just enter obedience events at all breed shows.



Edit- They will still need to hire more judges for those shows that will offer mixed breeds, just because judges can only judge a certain amount of dogs a day, if it goes over the limit and they don't have another judge they are out of luck.



There was obedience at the show I was at today, and they had to hire the judges husband last minute cause they got way to many entries.



The WHOLE entire point of the mixed breed program is to help the struggling independent obedience clubs, while encouraging people with mixed breeds to get involved with their dogs. I know my obedience club that I am in will benefit greatly from this.



The judges that I know, have no problem with it. I don't know their take on the new ruling but they were completely fine with what they were stating before.



Well come April, it looks like people will have more competition.

Answer 4

Yes, the AKC Mix Breed program was changed and is effective April 10, 2010.



With the new program, the AKC will welcome spayed/neutered mix breeds to compete in the same classes as purebred dogs and earn the same titles. It is still optional for a club to welcome mixbreeds in events, this will probably change in the future also.



Previously, mix breeds were only allowed in AKC performance events, if it was:

a) a Stand Alone event (meaning that no conformation was being offered)

2) mix breeds competed in a separate class from the purebreds (separate does not mean equal)

3) mixbreed had different "equivalent" titles, which had a "M" in front of it for "mixbreed"

4. mixbreeds were not allowed to earn the highest performance titles like the OTCH or MACH, now they can.



This should have been done 15 years ago. AKC is behind the times in regard to this program and to offer the program with separate titles and separate classes, not allowing mixbreeds to earn highest titles, was an insult to many mixbreeds competitors who refused to use the program. Also, clubs did not have to offer a mixbreed class.



The United Kennel Club welcomed spayed/neutered mixbreeds in their performance events over 20 years ago, not long after, the Australian Shepherd Club of America followed suite. For 20 years, mixbreeds have competed in the venues on an even playing field, earning the highest of titles, being eligible for their All-Star performance program and be invited the UKC Premier.



I completely agree with the program and will now recommend it to mixbreeds competitors. Before this, I would not recommend the program. For a mixbreed competitor to pay $35.00 to have the dog listed and possibly never be able to trial in the venue or earn equal titles is a waste of money. I'm glad the AKC finally saw the light.



edit: Whether a dog has a brain and good work ethic has nothing to do with being purebred or mixbreed. A good dog is a good dog, regardless of pedigree.



I have no use for a dog that is successful in the conformation ring but is a dumb as a stump.



I'm disappointed to see the same old elitest attitude still exists.

Answer 5

Now there will not need to be two scheduling, judging, and entry systems for each class in a show allowing mixed breeds - this will reduce the logistical overhead and really help out at smaller shows. If a club is concerned about allowing mixed breeds to compete in its classes, it can still opt out entirely.



It was silly to hold two identical competitions in conjunction every time mixed breed classes were offered, the dogs in the purebred classes are already competing against over 150 other breeds and varieties as well as dogs with ILP/PAL numbers, so the change in competition would be minimal. It will also be easier for everyone to get their OTCh points since they will be head to head with ALL the other Utility and Open obedience dogs.



The only downside I can see is if someone intentionally creates mixed breed dogs in order to dominate these sports in the AKC. However, since this has not been a problem for NADAC, USDAA, UKC, etc that allow mixed breed dogs to compete with purebreds, it seems to be a small risk.



The AKC first allowed mixed breed dogs to compete in an effort to truly represent and promote the interests of all dogs, but the old system kept them as second-class citizens. Now they will be able to compete in companion events just like everybody else. It will also help to mingle the breeders and exhibitors of the purebred dogs with those who have mixed breeds which will be educational for both.



I am a big fan of the mixed breed dog program since I can now encourage my 4-H kids to take their rescues, beloved mixed-breed pets, and old farm dogs to AKC events. I couldn't promote this before because of the high number of mixed-breed dogs (mostly rescues) in my county. It's not fair to tell kids that their dogs aren't good enough to compete, but another kid's are when they are at the same level of training in 4-H. By seeing the beauty of well-bred dogs along side the triumphs of rescues of all varieties, they will get a better picture of the pros and cons of both choices and be able to make an informed decision about what dog best suits their needs in the future.



The only thing I would still change would be to allow junior handlers to do showmanship with their mixed breed dogs. It would require some rule revisions, but would get a lot of kids interested in showing and in making their next dog a quality purebred - exactly what the AKC needs!

Answer 6

I had a chocolate labrador that literally wouldn't shut up. Since I found http://OnlineDogTraining.enle.info/?aL3J



She was 4 years old, we had our son and her barking was keeping him up at night. So my grandfather told me take a soda can put some change in it and tape the lid shut (I used duct-tape). Every time she barked I would shake the can and say quiet in a stearn voice. The sound startled her into stop barking then she heard my command. It took about a week and she stopped. You must not allow the dog to bark at all though. If you do then they will do it when they are not supposed to ie, when your not home. As far as for when your not home, I think the only none electrical, spray thing I can think of is a soft mussel. They can drink with the soft mussel on and it doesn't hurt them, they just can't bark or bite. From what I understand it is very hard to get a dog to stop barking at an advanced age. You are trying to stop something that is ingrained in them to do. Now a few questions for you, are the dogs being crate trained? If they are crated trying put a light blanket over the crate, to limit the stimuli around them. Do they have access to windows? What is the reason they are barking? Maybe it is something in there surroundings causing them to bark. Maybe people talking, people walking by, animals outside. If this is the case then maybe try limiting there access to this stimuli. Maybe crating them in a secluded area of the house to limit stimuli. Make it so they cannot see out the window any more. If it is seperation anxiety, take an old t-shirt sleep in for a night and then put it in the dogs crate with him. It will smell like you and help the dog feel more at ease. I did this when I went away to the hospital to have our son. It helped Kaylea alot.These are all thing my grandfather suggested to me for my dog. I tried them all but the crate training as I don't really believe in it. Reducing the stimuli greatly reduced her barking. The only thing that stopped it was the "noise can" I called it

Answer 7

Why is it a big deal to let mixes compete with purebreds? There are just as likely to be poorly behaved purebreds as there are mixes. The whole idea to separate them is ridiculous. DOGS are DOGS.

Answer 8

Thank God that I only deal with Conformation.

The day mixed breeds are in there, I'll be pissed.



Heidi; Mixed and Purebreds are different- You cannot compare a Mixed breed and a Purebred on the same -performance- level, plain and simple.

Answer 9

to me i think it's good that mixed get to compete against purebreds...there's nothing wrong with a mixed being in the same class it's just competing dog against dog...

Answer 10

I don't know when they changed it or why.



I was under the belief that the mixed breed dogs would be in their own class.



I will tell you it will be a cold day in hades before I do group sits and downs with my Pomeranian or my Collie if there are Pit Bulls in the class.



Already there are too many incidents with large dogs in the groups with the small dogs. The last thing I will expose either of my dogs to is this.



I do not need some pet owner deciding they will experiment with their dog while my dog is in the ring.



I would really like to know if the groups will be split or am I supposed to subject my dogs to this.



Have you asked this on the Active Pom list???

I would love to hear Barbaras take on this.



If this is the case I will stick to the shows where this will not be an issue, and not support the stand alone Obedience Shows.