The Companion Events division comprises the Obedience, Tracking, Agility, and Rally departments.

It was a landmark year in Companion Events thanks to Board approval of the AKC Rally program, AKC’s first new competitive event since the launch of agility in 1994. The Board of Directors approved AKC Rally at their January 2004 meeting.

In rally, a dog-and-handler team navigate a course of exercises according to sequentially numbered signs, in a manner similar to rally auto racing. The team works at its own pace, heeling from sign to sign, in this upbeat sport that emphasizes fun and the importance of teamwork.

Rally’s appeal to entry-level and experienced companion event competitors alike has greatly bolstered entries at obedience trials. At year-end, Companion Events reports 321 rally events scheduled through July 2005 and 353 rally judging applications.

For newcomers to our sports, AKC Rally will provide an ideal link between Canine Good Citizen testing and agility or obedience.

It was another year of phenomenal growth for AKC Agility. There was an all-time high 1,668 AKC Agility events in 2004, and the year’s 633,863 agility entries represent a 14 percent increase over 2003. There were 403 Master Agility Champion (MACH) titles earned.