September 2025
The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that the 2026 AKC National Obedience Championship (NOC) and the AKC Rally®️ National Championship (RNC) will be held at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio, on July 16–19, 2026.
- National Obedience Championship (NOC): July 16–17
- Rally National Championship (RNC): July 18–19
The Roberts Centre offers a convenient central location, excellent facilities, and accommodations that have made it a favorite among past exhibitors and spectators. We look forward to welcoming top obedience and rally competitors from across the country to these premier AKC events.
Additional event details, including entry information, schedules, and travel accommodations, will be posted as they become available.
July 18, 2025
Effective November 1, 2025
RALLY REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 1
Section 23. Judging Assignments, Scheduling, and Judging Program. To facilitate a more efficient trial, it is strongly recommended that clubs assign the A and B classes of the same title level to the same judge. The order in which classes are scheduled each day may vary, e.g. Master or Choice (Choice or Master), Excellent, Advanced, Intermediate then Novice or Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Excellent, Master or (Choice or Master).
After entries have closed, any club holding a licensed or member rally trial must prepare a program. This program will be based on the judging of up to 18 entries per hour. The published starting time for each class, the availability of rings and ring set up time must also be taken into consideration.
RALLY JUDGE’S GUIDELINES
CHAPTER 3
Section 2. Judging Program. The judging program will be based on the judging of up to 18 entries per hour. Walkthroughs should be performed as outlined in the AKC Rally Regulations, Chapter 2, Section 25, “Walkthrough Time.” Additionally, judges may take rest, or meal breaks at their discretion. Unnecessary delays in judging should be avoided. If there are less than 5 hours of judging scheduled, a lunch break is not recommended.
April 2025
The Board voted to add Canadian Kennel Club titles earned in Conformation, Obedience, and Rally to the AKC’s Title Recognition Program. All dogs that are AKC registered and have earned these titles in the past are eligible to have the title recognized by the AKC. The inclusion is effective August 6, 2025.
February 2025
Allowing Tripods to Participate in Non-Jumping Obedience & Rally Classes The Board reviewed a recommendation to allow three-legged dogs (tripods) to permanently participate in the non-jumping classes in Rally and Obedience effective July 1, 2025, which is the end date for the 24-month pilot program.
Specialty Show Event Application Fee The Board VOTED to modify the event application fee for specialty shows to make it consistent with the other sports that use the “30 or less entries” application fee structure. Previously, there was no application fee for specialty shows when the entry was 30 or less at the previous year’s corresponding event. For Rally, Obedience, and Agility events where the entry was 30 or less at the previous year’s corresponding event, the application fee is $25. The application fee for specialty shows where the entry is 30 or less at the previous year’s corresponding event will be $25. This is a change to policy and will become effective for events held after July 2, 2025.
January 2024
Displaceable High Jump – Obedience and Rally
The Board VOTED to modify the Obedience Regulations Chapter 1, Section 34 and the Rally Regulations Chapter 1, Section 36 to change the design and construction of the high jump to allow displaceable panels. In order to not cause an undue burden on event giving clubs, this transition must be completed by July 1, 2025. Clubs may use a high jump with displaceable panels before then, if they should choose to do so.
The revised regulation language is below, inserts will be provided once published.
Obedience Regulations, Chapter 1, Section 34. Jumps, Equipment, and Judge’s Report. The superintendent and the officials of the club holding the obedience trial are responsible for providing rings and equipment that meet the requirements of these regulations. The club will provide jumps that are 5 feet wide. The judge must check both the ring and equipment before starting to judge.
For the safety and welfare of the dogs and exhibitors, the AKC is transitioning to high jump panels that are displaceable. To not cause an undue burden on event giving clubs, this transition must be completed by July 2025.
High Jump: The high jump will be designed and built so that the panels may be displaced without affecting the uprights. The jump will be 5 feet wide and constructed to be set at a height of 4 inches and adjustable at 2-inch increments from 8 inches to 36 inches. The uprights of the high jump will be 4 feet high. The jump will include four 8-inch panels, one 4-inch panel and one 2-inch panel. The jump will be a flat white. The height of each panel will be indicated in black 2-inch numbers.
Rally Regulations, Chapter 1, Section 36. Rally Signs, Equipment, and Jumps. Any jump, or combination of jumps (broad, high or bar) may be used, the jumps may be 4 to 5 feet wide. Various colors and decorations are allowed on the uprights; however, nothing may be hanging from the jumps or interfere with the jumping of the dog.
For the safety and welfare of the dogs and exhibitors, the AKC is transitioning to high jump panels that are displaceable. In order to not cause an undue burden on event giving clubs, this transition must be completed by July 2025.
High Jump: The high jump will be designed and built so that the panels may be displaced without affecting the uprights. The jump will be 4 to 5 feet wide and constructed to be set at a height of 4 inches. The uprights of the high jump will be 4 feet high. The jump will include two 8-inch panels, one 4-inch panel. The height of each panel will be indicated in black 2-inch numbers.