i ve been off this post for awhile and read and tried to catch up with what most of you are saying.
what my original point was and most of you understood was this will only promote puppy mills!
i can not believe , but it happens right in front of me, that students will pay 1500 to 3000 dollars for a doodle, ! and yes again people get offended when you tell them they have a mixed breed. Most of these dogs in a shelter are most likely a product of poor breeding, temper, behavior etc. and believe it or not poor doodle mixes. You can not promote this no matter what because people will keep breeding them, You must get to the source. Yes maybe the dogs you are seeing and competing must be spayed or neutered. But where did they come FROM. Work in a shelter for a month, you will see that AKC is way off base for promoting this. It should not be a K-9 registry. There are those already. AKC is to promote the betterment and standard of the pure bred dog. PERIOD> Every dog deserves to be loved , trained and if owners desire compete and show off their dog. there are venues for EVERY dog. AKC should stay purebred!
Joan, I take it from your post that you are a dog trainer. I am, too. In the 10 years I've owned my own dog training business, I've had one, ONLY ONE, student with a mixed breed dog that planned to breed it. All the doodles, cockapoos, cavishons, puggles, were neutered. I don't understand why you believe this new program will create more breeding of mixed breeds. And before you tell me to work in a shelter for a month, I have firsthand knowledge of what goes on in shelters. I sat on the board of our local humane society for 10 years! Yes, a breeder, on a humane society board! If we want to stop indiscriminate breeding of purebred dogs, we need to do more educating. Where are the ads on tv and in the newspapers explaining that mixed breed dogs are NOT healthier than purebreds and that people who breed doodles, cockapoos, etc., are not checking for genetic disorders? We need to put our money where are mouth is. In our classes, I have everyone give a two minute talk about their dog. I ask them to tell me what country developed their breed, what it was bred to do, what characteristics go into making it good at its job, and how will that impact their training. The people with the designer breeds have been brainwashed to believe that the first generation of a designer breed is healthier than anything else they could have purchased! Why are we allowing this misinformation to continue to flow? AKC's new policy is not the problem.
Could it be possible that a new registration could come about...strictly for purebreds and we pull out of AKC? Just a thought...
There are many other registries in this country. The only other registry of size and reputation that could come close to the AKC is the United Kennel Club. They have show and performance events all over the country, but no where near as many. Some people have dogs registered in both.
If you think that you can develop the computer and personnel resources to maintain records, provide on the ground people to inspect kennels and dog shows, support research into canine health and humane issues, support canine oriented arts, pay lobbyists to fight for the rights of dog owners, provide on the ground assistance for disaster relief, then you should run right out and start another registry.
You should be aware that reciprocal registration agreements with other countries are only with the AKC. No country will recognize more than one registry in any other country.
I am a breeder, a trainer, and exhibitor, and have been showing/exhibiting my elkhounds for almost 30 years. The question that I would need to be answered by AKC is WHY do we need mixed breeds exhibiting in AKC events at all?!! There are many other organizations that promote mixed breeds in all events except conformation. Mixed breeds can exhibit in Rally, Obedience, and Agility...so what are they missing by being involved in AKC events? One of my elkhounds currently holds 23 titles...only 6 come from AKC. UKC, CPE, WCFO, CFF, and many others promote mixed breeds.
If the day comes that I cannot get into an obedience, agility, or Rally trial because the limit has been reached and they have accepted mixed breeds before me, not only will I be upset...I may just leave AKC.
Marlene
From the August 2009 Event Committee Bulletin:
In a letter announcing the program to the Delegates, AKC President Dennis Sprung and Chairman of the Board Ronald Menaker emphasized that “the creation of this program ushers in new opportunities for our constituencies, our clubs and our organization to grow and flourish in many ways.” When mixed breed dog owners list their pet with AKC, they will immediately become part of the 125 year tradition of advocating for the best interest of dogs. Embracing this new program means furthering the mission and vision of the AKC and will positively contribute to future event participation. As pointed out in the Mixed Breed Program frequently asked questions, “we can best promote our shared values and bring people into the world of AKC events by reaching out to new dog owners no matter their origin.” The potential is limitless for mixed breed dog owners who have no prior experience with the AKC. Clubs, of course, are encouraged to take part in the hosting of a mixed breed event and to help publicize this new program.
Mixed breeds will not compete head to head with purebred dogs. Mixed breeds will not be able to participate in any performance event held in conjunction with conformation judging. Clubs are not required to hold events for mixed breeds. Specialty clubs are not permitted to hold events for mixed breeds.
Your dog won't get cooties from mixed breed dogs that participate in performance events.
