Well, knock my socks off! The American Kennel Club (AKC) voted at its January meeting to allow mixed-breed dogs to compete in agility trials against purebred dogs. That’s right, the Joe Six-packs of the dog world can now compete in the same classes and win the same trophies as the bluebloods. Starting April 1, 2010, dogs with an AKC Canine Partners listing number will be eligible to participate in AKC Agility, Obedience and Rally trials that accept mixed breed entries.
What does your dog have to do to become a Canine Partner? First, he/she must be neutered/spayed. Second, no wolf hybrids. Pretty strenuous! That, and a check for $35 gets you listed. Of course, there are other rules, such as you can’t name your dog an obscene name. (Who hasn’t called their dog unprintable names? But nobody’s made them permanent!) You get a magazine and other stuff, too. A pretty small price for the chance to have your mutt beat the furry little pants off that snooty French poodle down the street.