AKC Mixed Breed Program - About time or too little too late?

Last week the American Kennel Club (AKC) announced the implementation of a Mixed Breed Program that will allow mixed breed dogs to compete in AKC licensed obedience, agility and rally events. For anyone who has been in the dog fancy or participated in AKC events, this decision cannot be viewed as anything but monumental. Since its formation in 1884, the AKC has exclusively been a registry for purebred dogs. According to history, the non profit organization was founded by 12 sportsmen, who I'd be willing to bet were blue blood and upper class. So not only were there rules and restrictions about the dogs that could be registered, but I would venture to say there were also rules and restrictions, whether written or implied, about the owner/handlers who could register and exhibit dogs as well. Let's just say, I'm sure there weren't many women and certainly not many non-whites exhibiting dogs back then. But through the years things did progress. Today women have nearly taken over the fancy, and it's not uncommon to see a variety of races and ethnicities exhibiting. However, one thing has remained constant: no mixed breeds allowed!

Now since the whole objective of the AKC was to celebrate, preserve and exhibit purebred dogs, it's no shock that mixed breeds weren't allowed to enter conformation events where the best examples of the breed standard are supposed to be represented. However there really hasn't been a good argument as to why mixed breeds weren't permitted to compete in performance events such as obedience, agility, tracking, hunt tests, and rally. Well finally, after 125 years, the AKC has opened its doors. Awesome, right? Depends on who you talk to.

The reactions I've heard from mixed breed dog owners have ranged from absolute elation to downright disgust. Some view this as a golden opportunity to showcase their lovable mutt's talents while others say the AKC can stick it where the sun don't shine. The main object of contention seems to be the fact that, while mixed breed dogs will be able to compete in obedience, agility and rally, they will be in a separate class apart from the purebreds. Further they will be competing for special titles with the -M suffix. In other words the obedience Companion Dog (CD) title will be CD-M for mixed breeds that earn it, Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) will be CDX-M, Utility Dog (UD) will be UD-M, and so forth. Some equate this to the segregated separate but equal policies we fought so vehemently against during the civil rights movement. Okay, wait a minute. While I do understand how this could be viewed as a slap in the face, please, let's keep this in perspective. We're talking about dog sports, for crying out loud, not denying anyone's (dog or human's) civil rights! Honestly when I first heard the AKC was reviewing adding a mixed breed program, I thought to myself, "yeah, when Hades freezes over!" I really believed it would never happen. And here it is. No, it may not be perfect, but the thought of watching mixed breed dogs and their people walking proudly on AKC trial grounds and being judged in the same ring, under the same judge and criteria, as their purebred counterparts gives me goosebumps. And frankly, I think competing in their own division may give mixed breeds and their handlers more notice than they'd get if they were thrown in with the rest. No, it's not perfect, but it certainly is a paw in the door. And boy would I love to see the faces on those 12 sportsmen now!