5 Inclusive Dog Shows That Give Mixed Breeds a Chance to Shine
Because mixed-breed dogs deserve applause, too.
This weekend, the National Dog Show will be taking over the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center — though, as always, you’ll have to wait until Thanksgiving day to watch it on TV (if you can convince your less animal-obsessed extended familyopens in a new tab to hand over the remote). The world-famous competition has been ongoing since 1879 (seriously, that’s not a typo: eighteen-seventy-nine) and airing over living-room Thanksgiving arguments for the past 20 years. It’s impossible not to respect that legacy — or the hundreds of well-trained, well-groomed pups who have strut their stuff over the years.
But when it comes to show eligibility, not all dogs are given a fair shot. As in most major dog shows, mixed-breed dogs aren’t able to compete. Luckily, there are other dog shows filling the gap. Below are four competitions that lift up mixed-breed dogs and remind us that wherever a pup came from, they deserve a chance at stardom.
Five Mixed Breed Dog Shows
The American Rescue Dog Show
Leave it to Hallmark to host the most feel-good, warm-and-fuzzy event of the year. The American Rescue Dog Show spotlights both mixed breed and purebred rescues in categories including — but definitely not limited toopens in a new tab — Best in Snoring, Best in Underbite, Best in Wiggling, and Best in Wrinkles. The 2023 show is set to premiere next May. Needless to say, we will be watching.
The Farm Dog of the Year
The Farm Dog of the Yearopens in a new tab contest celebrates the pups working on food farms across America. Instead of judging by pedigree, a panel of judges selected by the American Farm Bureau Federation chooses dogs based on their helpfulness on the farm and their bonds with their pet parents. Winners are awarded with a year’s supply of pet food and $5,000 cash. In addition to the judge’s choice, a People’s Choice Pup is awarded; voting is open for the 2023 competition nowopens in a new tab. If you’re in line, stay in line.
Scruffts
Hosted by The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom, this dog show is an alternative to Crufts, a massive competition exclusive to purebred dogs. Scrufftsopens in a new tab was created to give families without purebred pups the opportunity to participate in all the dog-socializing, community-building, and glamour of traditional dog shows. There are no breed standards; instead, dogs are judged on character, health, and temperament. All money raised by the small entry fee is donated to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.
The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest
Yes, the award title looks a little mean at first glance, but this contest has been entertaining humans and adorning nontraditional dogs since the 1970s, and we hope it never stops. Each year, about 20,000 people attend the World’s Ugliest Dog Contestopens in a new tab show at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. There are two separate divisions for purebred dogs and mutts, with the two winners ultimately competing for the overall title of “World’s Ugliest Dog” (by which we of course mean “World’s Most Unconventionally Beautiful Dog”).
AKC National Obedience and Agility Championship
After 125 years as an advocate for (select) purebred dogs, the American Kennel Club (AKC) finally created a mixed-breed dog program. All American Dogs (aka mutts) may compete in agilityopens in a new tab, obedienceopens in a new tab, and rally competition against purebred dogs in a show of skill and talent rather than looks.
