Why will the AKC begin registering mixed breed dogs October 1, 2009?

May 20, 7:16 PMDallas Animal Rescue ExaminerRebecca Poling

Previous Next

3 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

After 125 years of championing pure breed dogs and excluding "mutts", the American Kennel Club recently announced a new program for mixed breed dogs.   On the surface, this sounds like a huge win by animal rescues and animal welfare advocates.  But something seems odd to me and I can't help wonder if there is more to this story. 

The AKC continues to be one of the strongest and most outspoken opponents of any spay/neuter legislation. But according to the AKC website, mixed breeds who wish to register and compete in AKC events will be required to be spayed or neutered, while pure bred dogs will still be required to be intact to compete.  If all the mutts are altered and all the purebreds are intact would that mean eventually there would be no more mixed breeds - just pure bred dogs, something the AKC has long claimed animal welfare supporters were trying to accomplish with spay/neuter laws?

And AKC registered mixed breed dogs will only be allowed in classes with other mixed breed dogs.  They can't actually join in with the pure bred dogs.  Further, they are only invited to compete in agility, obedience and rally events.  Cindy Leun, president of the Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of American said this in a recent Dallas Morning News article "I can finally sit on the bus.  I can't sit in every seat, but at least I can sit on the bus." I'm not sure I agree.

And of course mixed Breed dogs will have to register with the AKC and that will cost $ 35.00. It's fairly common knowledge, supported by the AKC's own reports, that registrations have dropped dramatically since 1999.  So is that the motivation here?

I don't know, but I can't help but think about the recent attempt by Texas' animal welfare advocates to pass legislation to regulate puppy mills - largely unregulated commercial breeding facilities that churn out thousands of purebred puppies each year.  The AKC vehemently opposed that legislation and it may very well die before the legislative session ends.  Why would anyone in this day and age would support puppy mills if it weren't for the money involved?  Why would an organization founded in 1881 to promote pure bred dogs suddenly want mixed breeds to participate? What do you think?  Leave a comment below.

For more info: Read the Dallas Morning News article, or visit the AKC website.