Mixed Breeds Welcome!

Calling all owners of Mixed breeds who enjoy training and other activities with their dogs: Did you know that your dog is now eligible for AKC Performance events? Visit http://www.akc.org/mixedbreeds/ for more information.

Although I feel strongly about the promotion of purebred dogs and think there is nothing better than a carefully bred/raised purebred puppy; I also know from experience that there are some intelligent, eager mixed breeds who'd love to strut their stuff in the performance rings! Although mixed breeds have been welcome in other performance venues for a number of years (Ambor, ASCA, and I believe UKC) the AKC performance rings are still among the most prevelant/accessible. With the AKC creating a program that allows mixed breeds it means that most mixed breed owners in our area now have lots of opportunities to participate with their dogs in Obedience, Rally Obedience, and Agility (as well as tracking and other activities). My first two obedience trained dogs were mixed breeds. (the second I trained at the age of 11 with Kaye ...anyone who knows my age now knows that this was many years ago! LOL) I remember watching the purebred dogs owned by the training instructors and hearing a little about the activities they did. I wanted to get involved but didn't know how. I'm sure since my dog was a mixed breed and this was just a basic obedience class...no one thought to discuss it with me. I was a determined child, but not outgoing (believe it or not) so pursuing the idea was something that wouldn't happen till I was an adult. Needless to say I am Excited to see what opening doors to mixed breeds might do for people and their dogs in terms of having fun in performance events! The next top handler might just be a young 11 y/o who thinks she can't go to dog shows because she has a mixed breed dog. And now she can!