What if you have a mutt, but you want to be in a dog show?

Question

I have a corgi sheltie mix and i live in the metro detroit area. is there any shows that specailize in mutts?

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=7890823 this is his pictur

well then how do i train him to do agility at home? I have nothing? is there any at home tipical things that i could use? Tell me how to train him please

Answer 1

MHS usually has fun dog shows. Check their website:

http://www.michiganhumane.org

Lots of Rescues sponsor fun events around the state. Check on Yahoo and Google.

Answer 2

The point of a dog show, conformation titles, is to show that your dog is one of the best of its breed and would be a good dog to have puppies from to continue the improvement of the breed. This is why dogs in official dog shows must be purebred and intact (not spayed or neutered.)

That being said, you will not have a mixed breed dog in a conformation show. How can you show a dog comes closest to its breed standard if there is no breed standard? Maybe there are some mixed breed clubs that have "fun shows" but how are they judged? I have no idea.

You also cannot run a mixed breed dog in akc dog events such as agility, etc., because the whole point of AKC is for purebred dogs. There ARE mixed breed dog clubs for this sort of thing, as the other submitters have listed. If you want to teach agility at home (it will be easier to find a trainer, there should be plenty in your area) you will want to go online and by an "agility starter kit" from somewhere like drsfostersmith.com. You can make your own jumps but if you're serious about it, you will need the tube, chute, A-frame, weave poles, etc. Also you'll want to look for books/videos teaching you how to teach your dog to do it. It really would be a much better idea to find a trainer with all the equipment, or hook up with someone else in the area who does it. Most good obedience trainers also have agility classes. Look in the phone book under "pet training." Also, you should visit any prospective trainer before signing up to see if their methods work for you.

Answer 3

I am not sure about your area, But call the local dog club - most will be able to provide you with a list of other shows, AGILITY and OBEDIENCE are two areas you can show un-registered dogs in. Also some shows have a "PET" category for unregistered doggies.

You can join an agility club where they will help you train the dogs for such things and provide you with access to the equipment, you really cannot train at home becuase part of the thing is for the dog to focus when there are distractions.

The first step to showing ANY dog is Basic Obedience lessons, which are best done with professional help. (hand signals are what you need to learn and unless you have done it before its hard to teach yourself from a book or whatever - so go to a group training session)

Answer 4

There are pet shows for non-pedigree dogs.
There are also AGILITY shows for which you do NOT have to have a pedigree dog and my friends who attend agility shows are really excited about how much fun agility work with your dog is.

There's one contest that's specifically the best frizbee human/dog working competition that was FABULOUS to watch on Animal Planet.

so you have a choice.

Many of the non-pedigree shows are in the UK.
If the shows are not in your area, contact the groups running the show as they may know of a show I didn't find that IS in your area.

Ohhh He IS a good looking boy!
I've added some agility training video websites for you so you can get videos to learn how to train your dog at home.

I know how frustrated you are since I have purebreed dogs I cannot put into the akc shows because they are neutered. There's no reward from the akc for acting responsibly and neutering your purebreed dog, but non-registered dogs DO have some competitions.

Your local rescue group might know of some competitions. It's worth a call to ask them.

Answer 5

As far as AKC goes you won't be able to show in any events including agility, obedience, rally (this may be changing though as AKC is considering having events for mixes at shows in the future).
UKC (United Kennel Club) does have some classes for mixes. Also many places have fun matches which not only holds classes for purebreds but for mixes as well. 4-H clubs often hold shows as well.

Answer 6

Start your own Mongrel Show. It would be a cool thing to do to support a local shelter or something, and people love to show off their dogs. And it would show that mixed breed dogs are every bit as wonderful as purebred dogs. (I have one of each, but even the purebred was from a rescue.)

Even have an ugly dog category.

Answer 7

Most major shows are for pure breeds. I was, however, once in my lifetime (many moons ago), taken by my friend's mother to a mixed breed dog show. You can search the web for shows that might take place in your region, but I only know for sure of one here in CA.

For an example, check this one out ("Nuts for Mutts" ) : http://www.nutsformutts.com/faq.asp


If I find anything in your area, I'll come back & edit.

ETA: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/MiDogs/

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/greaterlansingdogs/ (maybe they know)

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/midogs2/

http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/general/events/eventpast/eventpastMI.shtml

Answer 8

you can try the obedience arena ...The show crowd is too political. I have seen many a show won by the handlers popularity and not on the dogs Merits.

Answer 9

not gonna happen. but u could still enter him into an akc agility event

Answer 10

nothing registered, but call the town. there might be some shows that are advertised.