New AKC Competition for Mixed Breed Dogs

The American Kennel Club recently announced that it is adding a Mixed Breed program that includes admission to competitive companion events including Agility, Obedience and Rally.  This is great news!  Now owners of Mixed Breeds will have the opportunity to create an even deeper bond with their pet through training and competition, while at the same time fulfilling their dog’s need for a job.  It’s a win-win proposition.

THE PROGRAM: The new program has three phases and the eligibility into competition begins April of 2010.  All three of the events have many levels of competition to suit all owners’ interest levels.   Even if you decide not to ever compete in the events the training alone is a gift to you and your dog.  Agility, Obedience and Rally are called “Companion” events – even if you never compete, through training you will have a better-behaved and emotionally satisfied companion.

TIME FOR TRAINING: The year 2010 may seem a long way off but now is the time for owners to start learning about these sporting opportunities, taking the appropriate training classes and to begin working with their pet to develop your bed warmer into an athlete.

Canine competitions are fun events that require a time commitment of hours of practice. Practice makes perfect, but aside from trying to polish your performance, through regular training work you will develop a unique bond with your dog that can only be witnessed in the smiling faces of those dogs who have accomplished a “job.”

JOB OPPORTUNITY: It has been my experience that all dogs want a job.   This isn’t that surprising since dogs were domesticated to work for man in one occupation or another. Purebred dogs often have strong instincts based on the job they were bred to perform and along with that instinct comes the need to work.   Mixed Breed dogs also have these traits! Now they too will be able to have the sense of satisfaction of a job well done.

CANINE-HUMAN BOND:  Other than giving your dog the gift of a job, the most important aspect of canine sports is the bond you will develop.  All owners claim to be close to their pets and able to read each others’ minds but training for and actually competing with your dog raises that bond to a whole new level.  You become a team, a team that moves and thinks as one unit.

Best of luck to Mixed Breed owners who take the plunge into canine sports.

To find information about the Mixed Breed program or to locate training clubs in your area, visit the American Kennel Club.