In this podcast episode, we introduce you to “All-American Dogs,” or mixed-breed dogs, and share some remarkable stories about them and the owners who love and train them.

The AKC expanded American dog sports to welcome mixed-breed dogs in 2010, and they’ve been competing in events like Agility, Obedience, Fast CAT, and Scent Work ever since. These wild cards of the genus Canis can become circus performers, professional trick dogs, agility champs at Westminster, and lots more. We take a deep dive into the history of All-American Dogs in the AKC to find out more.

Bonafide Bits

• The Canine Partners program welcomes mixed-breed dogs to enroll in the AKC family.
• Over one million dogs and their owners have participated in AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program.
• The debut of mixed-breed participation in all AKC agility events was April 1, 2010.

For more information about a specific dog breed, or to find a breed rescue, visit AKC.org.

Shareables

• “AKC’s Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) program welcomes purebred dogs who aren’t eligible for registration—for example, a rescued Golden Retriever—to participate in AKC events.”
• “In the earliest days of conformation dog shows, mixed-breed dogs participated because rules were lax and breed standards didn’t yet exist.”
• “Phelan, an All-American Dog, clocked a winning 32.3 mph at American Kennel Club’s inaugural Fast CAT Invitational.”