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New dog breeds will be allowed to participate in the 2014 Westminster Dog Show
Mixed breeds, including the rat terrier (center) and chinook (right), will be included in the agility trials at this year's Westminster Dog Show.Anne Wermiel
New dog breeds will be allowed to participate in the 2014 Westminster Dog Show
Anne Wermiel
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New dog breeds will be allowed to participate in the 2014 Westminster Dog Show
Anne Wermiel
New dog breeds will be allowed to participate in the 2014 Westminster Dog Show
Anne Wermiel
New dog breeds will be allowed to participate in the 2014 Westminster Dog Show
Anne Wermiel
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New dog breeds will be allowed to participate in the 2014 Westminster Dog Show
Anne Wermiel
New dog breeds will be allowed to participate in the 2014 Westminster Dog Show
Anne Wermiel
Advertisement

The Westminster Kennel Club dog show has long been the province of purebreds. But the nation’s premier canine event is opening a doggie door this year to mixed-breed competitors: They’ll be included in its new agility trial.

Next month’s show at Madison Square Garden will also feature three new breeds. They’re the chinook, the Portuguese podengo pequeño and the rat terrier.

A press conference Wednesday featured some of the newcomers, plus dogs weaving around poles and jumping through a tire on an agility course.

Organizers say this year marks the first time dogs of mixed breeds have appeared anywhere at Westminster since the 138-year-old event’s early days.

They won’t vie for the prestigious Best in Show award. That’s still purebreds only. It’ll be awarded on Feb. 11.

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