On
Behalf Of Charlotte McGowan
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 5:13 PM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: [americanssa] AKC mixed breed survey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Daisy Okas
Date: June 19, 2007 Phone: 212-696-8343

AKC PRESENTS RESULTS OF MIXED BREED SURVEY

New York, NY - In February and March of 2007, the American Kennel Club
conducted a survey of purebred dog fanciers on the topic of possibly
creating a mixed breed listing service and allowing them to compete in
certain AKC events. The purpose of the survey was to gather input from
the core constituency regarding this concept and to pinpoint areas
requiring additional research.

AKC presented the results of the survey at the quarterly Delegate
meeting on June 11, 2007. Following is a summary of key results.

Respondent Demographic Information
AKC sought survey feedback from AKC Delegates, AKC Club Presidents and
Secretaries, and other fanciers who were notified by their Club
President, Secretary or via www.akc.org. In total over 21,000 people
completed the survey.

General Demographics:
* 84% Purebred Dog Owners
* 70% Exhibitors
* 50% Club Member
* 76% now own, or have owned, a mixed breed dog

Sport Participation:
* Over 50% have been involved in the sport for 16 or more years
* Over 60% currently compete in Conformation or have in the past
* Over 50% currently compete in Agility or have in the past
* Nearly 70% currently compete in Obedience or have in the past
* Approximately 63% have competed in events sponsored by other
organizations (reasons included enjoyment of atmosphere, obtaining
additional titles, convenient location and competing with mixed breeds)

Club Affiliation:
* 51% belong to Specialty Clubs
* 34% belong to All-Breed Clubs
* 33% belong to Obedience Clubs
* 31% belonged to Agility Clubs
* 64% belonged to clubs already offering at least some training classes
for mixed breed dogs
Likely Program Parameters
Based on survey results and general comments that we have received, we
have developed a list of likely parameters that an AKC Mixed Breed
program would have:

Listing Service:
* Mixed breed dogs would be listed or enrolled, not registered
* Within AKC systems, mixed breed dogs would be identified as "mixed
breed," not a specific hybrid combination
* Mixed breed dogs would only be eligible for Agility, Obedience, Rally
and Tracking

Competition:
* Clubs would have the option to offer mixed breed classes. They would
not be required to offer mixed breed classes
* Mixed breed dogs must be spayed or neutered to compete
* Mixed breed dogs would not be eligible to compete at the
Agility/Obedience National Championships or at the Agility/Obedience
Invitational
* Mixed breed dogs must compete in separate classes*
*When introducing the concept of this program, AKC staff assumed there
would only be support for mixed breed dogs competing in separate
classes, however survey results show that a majority support combined
classes. Therefore, we are continuing to consider both options.

Interest in Offering Mixed Breed Program
Percent agreeing with the statement: "AKC clubs should have the option
to offer classes for mixed breeds at their Obedience, Rally, Tracking
and Agility trials."
* 65% of current AKC constituents (including 65% of Delegates, 67% of
exhibitors, 58% of judges, 65% of club members and 60% of officers).
* Over 50% of those currently or formerly participating in all event
categories (including participants in non-mixed-breed-eligible events
such as Conformation, Coonhound and Field Trials).

Overall Opinions About Potential Mixed Breed Program
Following are the percent agreeing with the subsequent opinion
statements about a mixed breed program:
* 84%: clubs may gain revenue by adding mixed breed classes to their
events
* 78%: mixed breed dog owners would be a potential source of new members
* 75%: mixed breed competition increases opportunities for fanciers who
now own mixed and purebred dogs
* 74%: mixed breed competition would not negatively impact public
opinion of purebred vs. mixed breed dogs
* 69%: a mixed breed listing service would help AKC expand its message
to a larger audience
* 69%: kennel clubs should serve all dog owners
* 69%: representing all dogs would improve AKC's legislative influence
* 63%: mixed breed program will lead to people without
breeding/exhibiting experience joining clubs and influencing policy
making
* 61%: education/competition may encourage mixed breed owners to make
their next dog a purebred
* 60%: program would improve AKC's overall image
* 52% felt that initiating a mixed breed program would be a change in
AKC tradition
* 47% mixed breed program will lead to animal rights activists joining
clubs and influencing policy making

Opinions About Mixed Breed Program Specifics
Title Eligibility:
Of those agreeing clubs should have the option to offer mixed breed
classes, which titles should AKC allow mixed breeds to earn in Companion
Events?
* 35%: mixed breeds should earn title equivalents but with different
(mixed breed) designations (such as M-CD vs. CD)
* 31%: titles should be exactly the same
* 17%: mixed breeds should have equivalent titles with different (mixed
breed) designations, excluding OTCH, MACH and CT.
* 14%: same titles as purebreds, excluding OTCH, MACH and CT

Held in Conjunction with What Events:
Of those agreeing clubs should have the option to offer mixed breed
classes, the classes should be offered with Companion Events held in
conjunction with:
* 92%: standalone obedience and/or rally trials
* 92%: standalone agility trials
* 86%: standalone tracking tests
* 39%: all-breed conformation shows*
* 31%: regional and local specialties
* 23%: national specialties (when All-Breed Companion Events are held)
*Approximately 20% of agility events and 70% of Obedience/Rally events
are held in conjunction with a conformation event. Excluding mixed breed
events from conformation events would significantly limit possible
venues.

Class Eligibility:
Of those agreeing that clubs should have the option to offer mixed breed
classes:
* 70%: mixed breeds and purebreds should compete in the same classes
* 55%: mixed breeds and purebreds should compete separately
Note that total exceeds 100% due to the fact that each of these
statements was presented separately.

The AKC will continue to keep Delegates and the fancy apprised on the
progress of this program. Questions and additional feedback can be
submitted at any time to mixedbreed_survey@akc.org.