Getting involved in AKC Virtual Sports and Titling opportunities is an easy and exciting way to get started in dog sports! Whether you and your dog are looking to get active in AKC Agility, earn a training title in home manners, or plot a crowd pleasing AKC Trick Dog routine, the opportunities to get started virtually are endless. Virtual programs act as a great steppingstone to further in-person AKC Sports and Events, and participation allows […]

The spotlight shines on a mother and son of a Working breed not seen often in agility – the Alaskan Malamute. Zenny and her son, Pickle, run with the Dream Acres teams in Wisconsin and excel at a number of other endeavors, including sledding and carting. Their breeder and trainer, Jen Effler, has had a […]

The Retriever Field Trial sport of today can trace its origin to the late 1920's to early 1930's when a small group of avid hunters devised a sport in which they could evaluate the performance of their hunting retrievers in a competitive environment and obtain Championships along with bragging rights. Today's modern Retriever Field Trial […]

1. How old were you when you started showing in AKC events? What got you started?  Was this a family affair? Did you compete in any events other than showmanship?   I started showing dogs when I was 12 years old. My family has a long history of being involved in equestrian sports. Both of my […]

What is your name? Autumn Maine How old are you? 13 years old. What state do you live in? Virginia What breed(s) do you compete with? Boston Terrier. Labrador Retriever. I have also worked with many breeds as a volunteer. What sport(s) do you compete in with your dog(s)? Conformation, CAT, Fast CAT, Obedience and […]

The spotlight shines on two Bulldogs showing the world how athletic this breed can be. Not only do Stella and Lola shine in agility, they jump off docks, swim, chase lures and hunt for rats in Barn Hunt! Both girls run on League teams at Dayton Dog Training Club. Their owner & trainer, Lucy Hayes, […]

We have our third group victor at this year’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. This is the second year in a row that a Standard Poodle has won their group. Flame the Poodle takes the Non-Sporting Group and will continue onto tomorrow night’s Best in Show competition. Is the Poodle the right breed for you? […]

Forget what you think you know about winter dog sports. You don't need to own a team of sled dogs to enjoy dogsledding's simpler offshoot: skijoring.

Learn which dog sports blind and visually impaired dogs can safely enjoy, plus expert training tips, safety advice, and competition guidance.

It’s one of the best ways to deeply bond with your dog. It's great exercise. And it just might be one of the most personally rewarding endeavors of your life. It’s the world of canine sports and events, and many events are open for all dogs to enjoy, including mixed-breed dogs. Something special happens between […]

For baseball, it’s Little League. For gymnastics, it’s tumbling class. For football, pee-wees. Athletes in all sports don’t just make it to the big leagues right away. They have to start somewhere. The same goes for dog shows, and that’s where Junior Showmanship comes in. Aspiring handlers ages 9 to 18 compete in the Junior […]

The AKC wishes to acknowledge those individuals that have excelled at breeding dogs that have proven to be outstanding in AKC sports. The commitment to preserve, protect and improve a breed represents the very essence of the AKC. The AKC Breeder of the Year by Sport Award is given to those who have dedicated themselves […]

Photo courtesy of JLFurtography All across North America, dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages, are taking part in a team sport designed to encourage burning off energy through running, jumping hurdles, and catching tennis balls, all within a short amount of time. If this sounds like something your super quick, smart, energetic dog might be […]

Meet Madelyn Pelzer: Planning a Career in Dogs Madelyn began training dogs as a child and has been hooked on agility since she was about 14. She has participated in the AKC Agility League and is aiming for titles with her All American Dog, Aspen. She is looking forward to trying other dog sports and […]

Meet Keslyn Kampschroeder: From Basic Training to Competing in Portugal Keslyn began training her family’s dogs at an early age. When they brought home a rescue who urgently needed help with his manners, Keslyn got busy right away. This led to an interest in dog sports, and watching Crufts Agility competition inspired her to get […]

Former Shelter Dog Becomes Top-Titled Fast CAT All American! Turned in as a stray to a shelter in Alabama and then turned back in by her first adoptive family, Holly was lucky that Danny Terry realized her potential and took her home. The now 8-year-old dog has the impressive formal name of DMT's Christmas In […]

Put Your Dog’s Nose to Work in the Fun Sport of Tracking This issue’s training tip is brought to us by Sue Kotlarek of Romulus, Michigan. Sue has had great success in a variety of dog sports with her two rescue mixed-breeds, including the sport of AKC Tracking. Her All-American, Rodger Rowbinawitz UD GO VER […]

The AKC Lifetime Achievement Awards were created to recognize those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of purebred dogs on a national level. The recipients were selected by votes cast by AKC Member Clubs for nominees in each of the following categories: Conformation, Companion Events and Performance Events. The American Kennel Club […]

Meet Anabel Kubacz: Three Years Running on JOAWC Team Anabel has loved dogs all her life, and she caught the agility bug watching videos of the sport online. Soon she had her first dog, Molly, and has since blazed her way to big success in the sport, achieving her goal of making the Junior Open […]

STEM Agility Course   Materials Needed Recycled items including paper, cardboard, toilet paper tubes, straws Tape or glue Optional : pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks Optional: robotic toy bug, one per student Computer and projector to display video of dog completing agility course https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/how-to-watch-an-agility-competition-101-prepare-to-get-hooked-on-the-sport/ Planning sheet     Teacher Modeling/Explicit Instruction Training for dog agility is […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) honored recipients of the AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards at the annual Delegates Meeting Luncheon, in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida. The winners received an engraved silver Revere bowl. A larger Tiffany and Co. bowl, engraved with the names of all recipients past […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! Agility Congratulations to these dogs who have added more MACH titles to their […]

Meet Piper Hall: Competing Should Always be Fun for the Dog Piper enjoys several sports with her young dog, Gracie, and competing in the AKC Agility League has helped them build skills and confidence that have carried over to those sports. She likes that it offers a way to train and compete without the pressure […]

Meet Willow Martin: Not Content to Sit and Watch! Name: Willow Martin Age: 17 Hometown: Williamsburg, VA Grade: 11th Family: Parents, Randi and David Martin AKC: How old is Violett and how did she come into your life? Willow: Violett (she has an extra “t” because she is extra special) turned 7 on April 17. She came into our lives by accident. When I was about 10, a […]

Meet Mia Federico: A Junior Career led to big Agility Goals In just three years, Mia has gone from beginner to top-winning competitor in obedience, rally, and agility. With her All American Dog, Mochi, she was a member of the Junior Open Agility World Championship Team in 2023 and was High Combined at the Juniors […]

The following are the group designations that AKC breeds have been assigned. There are currently 205 breeds and 9 breeds with 21 varieties.  The varieties are by size, color or group.   The varieties are marked by **(Revised 3/10/26) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Sporting Group – 33 breeds"] Sporting Group Naturally active and alert, Sporting dogs make likeable, […]

Meet Michael Kolath: Working Toward a Bright Dog Sports Future Name: Michael Kolath Age: 11 Hometown: Amarillo, TX Grade: 6th Family: Parents Bill & Sarah Kolath, brothers William and Andrew; sisters Elizabeth, Rebekah, and twin sister Annie Michael lives in the Texas Panhandle city of Amarillo with his dog-loving family. His parents and sisters enjoy dog […]

Adriana adopted Finnick from the San Francisco SPCA in August 2014. “I was volunteering there at the time and was waiting for the right herding mix to show up, then there he was!,” Adriana said. “I wasn't interested in dog sports at first, but we took a rally class, which then led me to take […]

Originally ran in the "Dogsport 101" column of AKC Family Dog Dog sports aren't only for purebreds. Since 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? […]

This is part of a series of profiles on the six top mixed-breed dogs that received the invitations to compete in the 2017 AKC Agility Invitational. The annual event takes place Dec. 15-17 in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with the AKC/Royal Canin National Championship and the AKC Obedience Classic. Name: MACH3 Jeter Morris MXS MJS […]