The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is excited to announce the winners of the inaugural AKC Scent Work Master National. The event is the first of its kind for the American Kennel Club, and the winner has received the prefix “SWNC” and is known as the Scent Work Master National Champion.
Nearly 200 dogs from more than 40 states representing 66 breeds gathered for the first national Scent Work event on October 12-14, 2025, at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, OH. The competition was held in a three-day format. The first two days were the Preliminary rounds and the third day the Final. Day 1 (Preliminary): All dogs were tested on all four elements – Container, Buried, Interior and Exterior at the Master level. Search time was 2 minutes for each of the elements. Day 2 (Preliminary): All dogs were tested on three elements – Buried, Interior and Exterior at the Master level. Search time was again 2 minutes for each of the elements. The top 100 dogs determined by highest combined daily scores advanced to Day 3 (Finals) where they were tested on a combination of elements together in multiple search areas.
“Congratulations to all of the competitors at the very first AKC Scent Work Master National,” said Caroline Murphy, AKC Director of Performance Events. “Watching these dogs at work was nothing short of incredible. We look forward to continuing this exciting competition.”
2025 AKC Scent Work Master National Winners
AKC Scent Work Master National Champion
SWNC Rhubarb Gelotte ACT2J SWD SWME DM CGCA CGCU TKP, a female Vizsla known as “Rhubarb,” owned by Leigh Gelotte
Reserve Master National Champion
Winthropbigmac HSAds HSDs HXAds HXBd OA OAJ XF SWD SWM CGC TKI, a male Border Collie known as “Big Mac,” owned by Robin Ford
3rd Place
Blitzen’s Blue Moon NF BCAT ACT2J SWD SWM SCME SBME DM DSA HDJ TKP FTI, a female Border Collie known as “Luna,” owned by Sandy Fuller
4th Place
Banyu SWD SWME SHDEE SHDM CGCA TKA FITG FTI, a male All-American Dog known as “Banyu,” owned by Lenora Volk
For more information about AKC Scent Work, visit https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-scent-work/.