The American Kennel Club's Mixed Breed Program
AKC Agility, Rally and Obedience Open to All Dogs in 2010
Apr 16, 2009
Mixed breed dogs will be eligible to compete and win titles in AKC Agility, Obedience and Rally events starting in April, 2010. Mixed breed classes can be offered at any standalone performance event, but not in conjunction with an event offering conformation classes for AKC registered breeds. Competition rules will be the same for mixed breed and AKC registered dogs but the individual exercises will be judged and titles awarded separately.
Obtaining An AKC Mixed Breed Dog Competition Card
Owners of mixed breed dogs who wish to compete in the AKC sponsored mixed breed classes must first list their dogs with the AKC. The program will open on October 1, 2009. The only requirements are that the dogs must be spayed or neutered and the owner pays a $35 listing fee to obtain their competition card and certificate of participation.
AKC Mixed Breed Dog Agility Competition
Agility is one of the most popular AKC competitions available today. Dogs navigate a series of obstacles, including jumps, tunnels, ramps and weave poles on a timed course at the direction of their handler. Many dogs take naturally to agility, others can benefit greatly from the confidence it builds as they learn to use the equipment and practice new skills. Most dogs enjoy the experience of working off leash as their handlers direct them through the course in the specified running order. There are three categories of competition within agility, and four titling levels as well as an agility championship. All agility classes are divided by jump height to make the competition equal between different size dogs.
AKC Mixed Breed Dog Obedience Competition
Competition obedience is the most formal of the three competition categories opened to mixed breeds and can be the most challenging. There are three regular class levels that dogs must move up through as they gain more and more training and skills. There are titles awarded at each class level as well as the coveted Obedience Trial Championship. This competition can be quite challenging, but equally rewarding for a dedicated dog/handler team.
AKC Mixed Breed Dog Rally Obedience Competition
Rally is the newest performance event offered by AKC. The exercises are similar to those used required in competition obedience, but served up in much smaller pieces or stations. Competitors go through a course with a number of stations, each marked by a sign describing a brief obedience exercise. Handlers can talk to their dog throughout the Rally course and encourage with hand signals as well. Scoring is not as strict as in competition obedience as in mistakes much be of a full point magnitude to deduct from the score and competitors are allowed a do-over if they make a mistake. Rally is a fun way to introduce dog and handler to obedience competition and offers a starting point for people who may want to move on to more formal obedience competition. There are three levels of titles awarded to Rally competitors.
Phase II Of The AKC Mixed Breed Dog Listing Service
In July of 2010 the AKC’s offerings to mixed breed owners who list their dogs for competition will expand and include more services currently available to newly AKC registered dogs, including discounts on affiliate services like Companion Animal Recovery (CAR), AKC’s Family Dog magazine, pet insurance and veterinary visits.
Other Mixed Breed Dog Performance Opportunities
The AKC has offered their Canine Good Citizen testing and certification program to mixed breeds since inception. The United Kennel Club (UKC) also offers mixed breeds the opportunity to compete in their performance classes, and there are mixed breed registries like the American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry (AMBOR) and the North American Mixed Breed Registry (NAMBR) that offer competition open to all dogs. Flyball and dock diving competitions are also open to both mixed breed and purebred dogs.
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