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Westminster: It’s Not Just For Purebred Dogs Anymore!

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Agility

For nearly 140 years, the Westminster Kennel Club has closed its doors to mutts, focusing only on the conformation, physical abilities, and skill of purebred dogs. In a big step in the right direction of celebrating and recognizing all dogs, regardless of their pedigree, the WKC is finally opening up it’s doors to mixed breed dogs!

For the first time in the history of the world’s most famous dog show, the Westminster Kennel Club will now be accepting mixed breed dogs into it’s agility competitions. While the entrants in the coveted “Best in Show” awards remain open only to purebred dogs, any dog, from any mix of breeds, will now be welcomed to enter The Masters Agility Competition.

The agility competition held during the Westminster Dog Show is judged strictly on speed, skill, and intellect, not on the appearance or conformation of the dog. The agility competition features a timed course of obstacles, tunnels, weave poles, jumps, and more.

The competition is now open to purebred dogs, mixed-breed dogs that are registered in the AKC’s Canine Partners program, miscellaneous breeds not yet eligible for the conformation competition, and purebreds that cannot be registered.

The Masters Agility Championship at Westminster will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, between 11AM and 10PM at Pier 94 in New York City.

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6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Avatar Of Michele L. Michele L. says:

    Michele L.
    January 21, 2014 | 1:50 pm

    Awesome news. All of my dogs are rescues BY CHOICE. I love all dogs, even purebreds, but my heart goes out to all those wonderful dogs that have been thrown away like garbage. I am amazed at what talents and skills they have!!!!
    My rescue JRT, for example is a registered therapy dog who also participates in agility/rally and scent detection. My terrier mix rescue is beginning scent detection classes this week and will be in obedience, rally and agility…and possibly fly ball. One of my Shih Tzu rescues takes obedience and will be in agility most likely. The other two may do some obedience/agility classes as well. All of these dogs have something to offer and offer so much to me.

  2. Avatar Of Michele L. Michele L. says:

    Awesome news. All of my dogs are rescues BY CHOICE. I love all dogs, even purebreds, but my heart goes out to all those wonderful dogs that have been thrown away like garbage. I am amazed at what talents and skills they have!!!!
    My rescue JRT, for example is a registered therapy dog who also participates in agility/rally and scent detection. My terrier mix rescue is beginning scent detection classes this week and will be in obedience, rally and agility…and possibly fly ball. One of my Shih Tzu rescues takes obedience and will be in agility most likely. The other two may do some obedience/agility classes as well. All of these dogs have something to offer and offer so much to me.

  3. Avatar Of Dirk R Dirk R says:

    about time……what to do about puppy mills and unwanted/homeless dogs remains

  4. Avatar Of Kathi Presutti

    Kathi Presutti

    says:

    I have seen video of a wonderful puggle competing in agility trials. Hope that dog goes to Westminster. Maybe my rescue puggle, Amigo, will get inspired! We do agility, too!

  5. Avatar Of Paula Statfeld

    paula statfeld

    says:

    Agility has become the thing for dog owners. But, I have noticed that most of the dogs I have seen are purebred. I think this will make rescuing a much better and more popular avenue. Now, having a mixed breed in the ring doing agility work would really impress me as well as others that will not buy purebred dogs any longer. Years ago I competed with my German Shepherd in Obedience. This was very satisfying but I had noticed no mixed breeds. Perhaps this will open up the sport to all dog lovers.

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