Care to join?

Mutts, unite!

For the first time in 125 years, mixed breeds will be allowed to compete along side purebreds in the American Kennel Club.

See the article by Monica Hesse in the Washington Post here.

Mutts will not be allowed to compete in the "conformation" events, the ones where judges decide how precisely a dog displays its breed's standards.

But the skill-based contests — Agility, Rally and Obedience — were officially opened to mixed breeds last month. This weekend, Mattaponi [Kennel Club in Manassas, Va.] held its first event in which mixed breeds, euphemistically referred to at the show as "All Americans," have been allowed.

The debate over the change goes back seven or eight years. At one point there was a proposal to have mixed breed dogs compete separately from purebred dogs, rather than directly against them. That was reconsidered.

"AKC has always been best known as an advocate for purebred dogs," says the AKC's Gina DiNardo, in discussing the change. "But [we're] concerned about the welfare of all dogs. ... We want you to become part of our fold."

Of course, I'm reminded of the Groucho Marx quip "I don’t care to belong to any club that will have me as a member."

Top dogs

Like to look at dogs? Here's a slideshow from ABC News with the American Kennel Club's annual Top 10 breeds list.

Enjoy.

Keeping pets safe during Halloween

While all the humans are having fun on Halloween, make sure that the critters in your lives are safe.

The American Kennel Club eNewsletter has a few suggestions about the holiday, in particular if you dress up your pets.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also has some tips about Halloween safety for your pets.

Some hints:

Chocolate and sweets are no-nos, as we all know. But it is suggested that the dog is walked early, while it is still light. In the dark, your dog might find candy and other goodies on the street or ground.

Make sure pets are safe and secure in a room where it can't get out the door when trick or treaters stop by.

Don't leave your pets unattended outside Halloween night, even behind a fence.

Make sure your dog or cat has proper identification.