American Kennel Club® New Mixed Breed Program

The American Kennel Club’s® board and staff have just announced a new Mixed Breed Program. The program is going to be rolled out in three phases.

Effective October 1st, 2009, mixed breed dog owners can list their dogs with the AKC’s new mixed breed program.
1.Dogs in the program will be issued an ID number.
2.Dogs must be spayed or neutered.
3.The fee for the program will be $35.
4.In Phase I, listed dogs will 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 anti-ownership 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

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
b.An AKC Supporter window decal
c.Free CGC certificate for dogs that pass a CGC test
d.Copy of The New Puppy Handbook and/or sample of Family Dog magazine
e.Free initial veterinary visit
f.Trial offer of pet health insurance
g.Discount coupons to an online dog store

Effective April 1st, 2010, the competition parameters governing mixed breed participation in AKC Agility, Rally, and Obedience events:
1.AKC clubs will have the option to hold mixed breed classes 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 will 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
will be scored and awarded separately.
b.For example, in Agility in the Regular class, all purebred dogs entered in
the Regular 16 inch class will 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 will be scored and awarded separately.
5.Mixed breed dogs will earn different titles from purebred dogs.
a.Mixed breed dogs will earn titles with a Mixed Breed suffix (i.e.
NAM-Novice Agility Mixed Breed)
6.Dogs competing in the class will 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 will NOT be eligible for National Championships or
Invitational events.

The American Kennel Club® decided to include a mixed breed program for some very basic reasons. First to maintain legislative influence, second to bring new people into the The American Kennel Club® family and third to continue funding important outreach programs. This program is in addition to current programs and will not be replacing any pure bread programs currently in place.