Competing with a Non-AKC Breed Dog (U.S.)
In most parts of the United States, AKC trials are the most common and well-established competition venue. However, AKC trials only allow AKC-recognized breeds to compete, excluding hundreds of breeds not recognized by AKC and all mixed breed dogs. (Dogs that are visibly recognizable to be an AKC breed may still be registered with AKC for competition purposes only in their Indefinite Listing Priveledge, or ILP, program). Having a rare breed dog (Shiloh Shepherd), I've had to learn a way more about different registries than I ever wanted to know. The information here is useful for anyone with a mixed breed or rare breed dog, although people with AKC-registrable dogs can also use this information.
In the cases below, a title is earned by acheiving three qualifying scores, or legs, typically under more than one judge. A title is like earning an advanced education degree that adds a corresponding prefix or suffix after your dog's name. (Example: after earning her Rally Level 1 (RL1) title, my dog is Zion's Ebony Wings-Eagles Nest RL1). Visit the website for each venue to see the specific titles and letters that can be earned and the specific rules for earning them.
Obedience | Rally-O | Agility | Herding | Tracking
Titles can be earned through any of the venues below, or can be earned through the venue and AMBOR. Although there are several options to earn a title through AMBOR, all legs must be in the same category for the title.
AMBOR -- http://www.amborusa.com
American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry registers mixed breed and rare breed dogs. AMBOR compiles year end rankings and recognition; AKC-registrable dogs may compete but are not eligible for year-end rankings. AMBOR trials are not common in most parts of the country, however AMBOR recognizes results from several venues below.
UKC -- http://www.ukcdogs.com
UKC registers UKC mixed breed and rare breed dogs in addition to UKC-recognized dogs. Mixed and rare breed dogs are listed as AMBOR with AKC whether or not they are registered with AMBOR, however dogs registered with AMBOR will automatically be recognized by both UKC and AMBOR for title acheivements.
ASCA -- http://www.asca.org
Australian Shepherd Club of America allows any breed of dog into competition. Non-Australian Shepherds must register for an ASCA tracking number. AMBOR will recognize titles earned by ASCA but you must send the results in yourself.
AKC -- http://www.akc.org
Although mixed and rare breeds cannot compete in AKC trials, they are often welcomed to the less formal Fun Matches and Show'n'Go's. Bring yellow scoresheets that can be ordered in advance through AMBOR, and ask the judge to score your performance as if a trial. Ask the hosting club or organization in advance if they can support your AMBOR scoring at their event.
OTHERS
You may be able to earn titles through other registries such as NKC (http://www.nationalkennelclub.com), CKC (http://www.continentalkennelclub.com), St. Huberts (http://www.sthuberts.org/CDSP/default.asp) or WWKC (http://www.worldwidekennel.qpg.com) if trials are available in your area.
APDT -- http://www.apdt.com/po/rally
Currently the only venue for Non-AKC dogs. Dogs must be registered with APDT. All titles and recognition are based on merit; breed is not a consideration.
UKC -- http://www.ukcdogs.com
Expected to be available in the future, but UKC has not completed their Rally program.
All of the following venues recognize non-AKC dogs.
USDAA -- http://www.usdaa.com
NADAC -- http://www.nadac.com
NADAC/AMBOR -- http://www.nadac.com, http://www.amborusa.com
Some NADAC trials may have dual sanction from NADAC and AMBOR.
AMBOR -- http://www.amborusa.com
UKC -- http://www.ukcdogs.com
Mixed and rare breed dogs will be listed with UKC as 'AMBOR' whether or not they are registered with AMBOR. AMBOR-registered dogs will earn dual titles.
ASCA -- http://www.asca.org
Australian Shepherd Club of America allows any breed of dog into competition. Non-Australian Shepherds must register for an ASCA tracking number. AMBOR will recognize titles earned by ASCA but you must send the results in yourself.
CPE -- http://www.k9cpe.com
Canine Performance Events. Not yet common, but up and coming.
OTHERS
Other small venues exist that I have not listed here.
If someone with more information wants to provide this section, I'll post it with credit. I believe that, like obedience, non-AKC breeds can earn titles through ASCA. I don't know which other venues exist beyond AKC and ASCA.
If someone with more information wants to provide this section, I'll post it with credit. From what I know, the only non-AKC venue is through Schutzhund. Many non-competion options exist in Search and Rescue.
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Author: Erica Pytlovany
Created On: December 20, 2005
Last Modified: September 2, 2006
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