Field trials, hunting tests, and the lure coursing, herding, and earthdog programs are practical demonstrations of the ability of purebred dogs to perform the jobs for which they were bred. The AKC licenses or sanctions more of these events than any other dog registry.

In 2005, the AKC approved 4,556 performance events, with 230,674 entries and 9,158 titles earned. Seventeen executive field representatives, each with a minimum of 20 years in the sport, covered more than 650 performance events. AKC tests and trials were made available on the Internet, through event coverage and photos posted by field reps at akc.org.

Judges and exhibitors attended AKC Performance Events Judges Seminars, full-day presentations conducted by the field staff at 82 venues.

Performance Event office staff attended the Retriever National Championships at Cheraw, South Carolina, in November. They took part in the Retriever Advisory Committee meeting, the National Retriever Club meeting, and the field trial. They observed the events they process every day, and were available to meet with, offer guidance to, and answer questions from club officials and fanciers in attendance.

At the November meeting of the AKC Board of Directors, Performance Events presented an Accelerated Approval program, based on a recommendation from the Delegate Field Trial and Hunting Committee, to implement a plan expediting the licensed-event eligibility of performance clubs meeting certain criteria. A qualifying club may be approved on a probationary basis, under certain conditions.

The proposal was adopted by the Board and became effective December 1.

In December, William M. Speck was reappointed Assistant Vice President of Performance Events.