American Kennel Club Canine Partners (discount for students)

By Penny Leigh

AKC Canine Partners Program Manager

Sherman’s owners just wanted their newly adopted puppy to learn some manners when they enrolled him in obedience class.

At least that was the only goal until the day the instructor rolled out a tunnel.

“Sherman was hooked immediately and wouldn't stop running back and forth through the tunnel,” said Dr. Kara Malone, DVM, who owns Sherman with her husband Michael.

After they caught Sherman, the Malones realized the mixed-breed puppy was a natural prospect for the sport of agility.

“Once he had enough basic obedience learned, we started him in agility training,” Kara said.

Sherman matured into a leggy dog that can clear 26-inch jumps with ease and who, indeed, excelled at agility trials. In agility, dogs run an obstacle course consisting of jumps, tunnels, weave poles, see-saws and more and are judged on accuracy and speed.

 “He loves every minute of class and competition,” Kara said.

Sherman’s opportunities recently expanded with the launch of the AKC Canine Partners program for mixed-breed dogs and other dogs ineligible for AKC registration. As of April 1, mixed-breed dogs are competing along side the pedigreed pooches at AKC agility, rally and obedience trials.

“I was very excited to hear that AKC opened its events to mixed-breed dogs,” Kara said. “This will increase the number of training and competition opportunities for us.”

For more than 120 years, AKC – the oldest dog registry in the country – has been dedicated to registering purebred dogs and preserving their pedigrees, in addition to organizing competitive events for them.

Over the years, AKC has added more features for all dogs, including the popular Canine Good Citizen program, the Canine Health Foundation that funds research into canine diseases, and the Companion Animal Recovery that helps locate lost dogs and other animals.

 “Expanding the competitions to include mixed-breed dogs was another step in the AKC’s promotion of responsible dog ownership and training for all dogs,” said Mark Dunn, Assistant Vice President for AKC Canine Partners.

When the Malones decided to get a dog seven years ago, they wanted to support rescue so they specifically looked for a mixed-breed dog. They found 8-week-old Sherman in a shelter in Ohio where they were living at the time.

“We were looking for a friendly puppy that would be medium to large sized,” Kara said. “He was extremely cute and had a sweet personality.”

 A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., Kara is a 2003 graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2005, she and Michael moved to North Carolina, and Kara started practicing small animal medicine at Timberlyne Animal Clinic in Chapel Hill.

Following their move, they decided that Sherman needed a friend, and he selected Ella, another mixed-breed in need of a home. “Sherman came with us to the shelter, and he picked her out after playing with several dogs.”

Because Sherman loved training so much, they also enrolled Ella in classes, but quickly realized she had different needs.

“Ella is very smart and eager to please, which makes her a great obedience dog.  However, she is a very nervous dog away from home and does not like to be around dogs she does not know.”

Ella needed to stay in classes for socialization and exposure to other dogs, but free-flowing agility was too much for her. The Malones discovered the new sport of rally, and it has been a perfect match for Ella.

“Rally was a better fit for Ella.  Rally has been a great way to challenge her mentally, and teach her that she can still function even though there are other dogs in the room.  She seems to enjoy rally and has improved significantly with her behavioral problems.”

Rally is a sport that consists of a handler directing his or her dog through a course comprised of stations. Each station consists of a sign that directs the team to perform an obedience exercise, such as “About Turn,” “Sit-Stay,” or “Call the Dog to Front.”

Unlike traditional obedience, rally competitors can talk to their dogs through the entire course and pat their legs, clap their hands and repeat commands to encourage their dogs. In the Novice level, dogs are on leash. In the subsequent levels of Advanced and Excellent, the dogs must work off-leash.

Kara and Michael are expecting their first baby in late October, but that has not deterred them from their training routine. The couple continues weekly classes with Sherman and Ella in preparation for their debut in AKC events.

In addition, she said the activity and bonding time is good for the entire family.

“Both of our dogs are very high energy so having activities for them outside of their home routine is an important part of keeping them happy and healthy,” Kara said. “Plus, we all have a lot of fun.”

The American Kennel Club is extending a special discount to all members of the Student AVMA. You can enroll your dogs in the program for $20 -- $15 off the regular price. The enrollment includes many benefits in addition to the eligibility to compete in events. These include 60 days free trial of pet health insurance, lifetime enrollment in the lost and found recovery service, collar tag engraved with dog’s unique AKC number and a 1-year subscription to AKC Family Dog magazine. To receive a discount application, contact akccaninepartners@akc.org or call 919-816-3749.