More Dog Sports

MORE DOG ACTIVITIES

Carting

Drafting and carting are sports that are open to all breeds of dogs, including mixed-breeds, by several national breed clubs.

Pulling carts to help transport items was a task that many dogs were – and still are – trained to do to help around farms. Dogs like to pull – and this gives them an acceptable way to exercise their right to do so.

For more information about carting, please visit More Sports for All Dogs: Drafting & Carting – American Kennel Club (akc.org)

Coursing Ability

Want an easy, low-stress way to get involved in the world of dog sports? Start with a Coursing Ability Test (CAT) because it is designed specifically for newcomers.

The first thing to know about the CAT is that – as with all of our tests – dogs do not compete against each other (as opposed to Field Trials where winners are chosen). Each dog runs individually and chases after an artificial lure on either a 300- or 600-yard long course. Your dog must finish in less than 1 ½ minutes and 2 minutes, respectively. Because the course is for beginners, it is set up with safety in mind, as we recognize that many of the dogs are new to the sport and might not possess the agility of an experienced sighthound.

Don’t worry about being judged: Dogs only earn a pass/fail, and the maximum time is not meant to be difficult to achieve. But yes, your dog will need to run, not walk, to earn a passing grade. But even if he doesn’t do his best, don’t worry! Think of it as just a fun day out for both of you to meet other dogs and dog lovers.

To compete, your dog must:

· Be 12 months or older

· Have an AKC number via one of the following:

· AKC Registration as one of the recognized breeds.

· AKC Canine Partners, which is for mixed-breed dogs and dogs ineligible for AKC registration.

· Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) program, which is for purebred dogs that cannot be fully registered with the AKC to participate in AKC events.

· Foundation Stock Service® (FSS), which is for recorded breeds on the road to full AKC recognition.

In addition:

· Spayed females and neutered males are eligible to participate.

· Females in season are not eligible to participate.

Information and events in your area go to: https://www.akc.org/sports/coursing/coursing-ability-test/

Disc Dog

Disc Dog is an exciting, fast-paced, fun sport that all dogs and people can enjoy.

UpDog has taken the basic game of fetch with a flying disc and expanded it into a whole bunch of fun games!

Dogs of any breed, type, size or shape can play and be successful. If your dog can fetch, your dog can play UpDog!

Dogs get points in every game and cumulative points earn UpDog Achievements (called “UPs”). Once you have earned a medal UP in at least 3 games you can apply for the AKC Disc Dog titles using the Title Application.

For more information, visit the AKC website: https://www.akc.org/sports/title-recognition-program/disc-dog/

Dock Diving

Ready for a splash?

Dock Diving (Diving Dogs) is the perfect sport for water-loving canines and is fun, exciting, and easy-to-do. Per the American Kennel Club, Diving Dogs is a fun, exciting but easy to do sport with simple rules:

· You throw your dog’s favorite toy into a pool while he waits on a dock about 40 feet long.

· On your command, he runs along the dock, flings himself off the end of it, lands in the water and grabs his toy.

· The goal? To have the longest jump possible, which could be as short as two feet for beginners but could be as much as 30 feet for those more experienced!

The AKC began recognizing titles of the new North America Diving Dogs (NADD) organization in June 2014 so now you can also add a dock jumping title to your dog’s AKC records. The sport is open to all dogs, including mixed-breeds. In addition to Air Retrieve, NADD also offers competition in Distance Jumping.

For information on registering your dog with NADD and finding an event, go to www.northamericadivingdogs.com.

Farm Dog Certification

The AKC is announced a new program called the Farm Dog Certified (FDC) test. Dogs will work through a series of 12 exercises that represent situations they may come across in a farm environment, and must display trainability, self-control, confidence and trust in their owner throughout the experience.

The test is a non-competitive pass/fail evaluation designed to assess the overall conduct of a dog. The dog must demonstrate self-control when exposed to livestock and other unique sights, sounds and scents. The dog should exhibit confidence and a willingness to comply with instructions when confronted with a variety of situations within farm type surroundings.

The FDC test is open to all dogs at least 9 months of age that are individually registered with the AKC, recorded in the FSS program, listed with a PAL number, or enrolled in the AKC Canine Partners Program.

“The FDC test provides an opportunity for dogs to apply their basic training in a unique environment. One can think of it as a Canine Good Citizen test on a farm,” said Doug Ljungren, AKC V.P. for Sports & Events. “In addition to promoting responsible dog ownership, the basic manners needed for the FDC test will prepare them for many other AKC activities.”

For more information, visit the AKC website: https://www.akc.org/sports/herding/farm-dog-certified-test/.

FAST CAT ®

FAST CAT® – which stands for Coursing Ability Test – is a timed 100-yard dash where dogs run one at a time, chasing a lure. It’s over before you know it — and it’s nothing short of awe-inspiring to watch your dog run at top speed, ears back, eyes focused, legs strong.

And if your dog is really fast, you might earn bragging rights if his name makes onto the AKC list of Fast Cat Top 20 Fastest Dogs By Breeds.

Although it is a relatively new sport, its popularity has spread like wildfire. No wonder. According to one AKC official, “The FAST CAT® provides a terrific opportunity to introduce new participants to the world of AKC sports as one of the few events where all that is needed to compete is a dog’s natural instincts.”

To participate in FAST CAT®, your dog must be:

· Be 12 months or older

· Have an AKC number via one of the following:

• AKC Registration as one of the recognized breeds.

• AKC Canine Partners, which is for mixed-breed dogs and dogs ineligible for

AKC registration.

• Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) program, which is for purebred dogs that

cannot be fully registered with the AKC to participate in AKC events.

• Foundation Stock Service® (FSS), which is for recorded breeds on the road to

full AKC recognition.

In addition:

· Spayed and neutered dogs are eligible to compete in these events and are welcome.

· Dogs with Limited or Conditional Registration are eligible to participate.

· Females in season are not eligible to participate.

An inspection committee will also inspect each dog for lameness and fitness to compete.

To find more information about Fast Cat and Fast Cat events near you, please go to: https://www.akc.org/sports/coursing/fast-cat/

Flyball

Flyball was invented in California in the late 70s. According to Kathryn Hogg, Flyball home page administrator, “Legend has it that Herbert Wagner first showed it on the Johnny Carson Show. Soon afterwards, dog trainers and dog clubs were making and using Flyball Boxes. In the early 80s, the sport became so popular that the North American Flyball Association (NAFA®) was formed.” There are now associations and competitions for flyball in North America, the UK, Europe and Australia.

Flyball is basically a dog relay race where two teams of any breed (or mixed breeds) race each other and the clock to jump over four hurdles, retrieve a ball from the flyball box, and return over the four hurdles to cross the finish line. The team whose dogs have the fastest time without errors wins the “heat” and goes on to compete against other teams until the fastest team wins. The flyball box consists of a spring-loaded box that shoots a tennis ball out when the dog jumps on the surface.

In addition to team competition, each dog competes for individual titles based on their individual times. Flyball is rewarding because a reasonably fast dog can win a title in a single weekend.

If you continue to compete, there are eight levels of titles. A point is gained for each run under 32 seconds. Five points are gained for each run under 28 seconds (the fastest time recorded so far is 16.93 seconds). The titles and points needed for them are as follows:

· Flyball Dog (FD) – 20 points

· Flyball Dog Excellent (FDX) – 100 points

· Flyball Dog Champion (FDCh) – 500 points

· Flyball Master (FM) – 5,000 points

· Flyball Master excellent (FME) – 10,000 points

· Flyball Master Champion (FMCh) – 15,000 points

· ONYX (ONYX Award) – 20,000 points

· Flyball Grand Champion (FDGCh) – 30,000 points

The dogs who are best at flyball are: 1) fast, 2) competitive, and 3) crazy about tennis balls. Many of the fastest teams in the world are made up of Border Collies. However, the jumps for all four dogs on the team are set to the height of the smallest dog, with an 8″ minimum height and a 16″ maximum height. For many teams, this means that the lead dog will often be a small terrier or other competitive small breed.

Flyball is very exciting to watch. It is like watching horse racing from close range. The dogs get so keyed up about running that most of them bark constantly, so this is definitely not the sport for you or your dog if either of you are sound-sensitive!

If you think your dog might like flyball but you need to know more, you can get instructions on how to build a flyball box from NAFA through the mail or from the flyball home page on the Internet. Since this is a new sport, you will need to find a team to practice with. Flyball groups are still a little hard to find, but if you contact NAFA, they will tell you where to find teams or clubs that offer flyball, or where you can go to see a flyball tournament.

The NAFA® website provides information about flyball, names of teams in North America, official rules, and national and international standings.

Junior Showmanship

Junior Showmanship offers children between the ages of 9 and under 18 years of age an opportunity to develop their handling skills, learn about good sportsmanship, dogs, and dog shows. Juniors are judged on their ability to present, or handle, their dogs as they would in the breed ring. While Juniors are judged by an official AKC Judge, it’s the quality of the Juniors presentation that is judged, not the dog.

AKC Gazette has a 3 part article written by a Junior talking about her experiences as a Junior Handler.

Part 1 is in the 2022 Feb Gazette issue.

Part 2 is in the 2022 May Gazette. issue.

Part 3 the 2022 Aug Gazette issue

More information on AKC Juniors from the AKC website.

Parkour

Parkour is a training discipline where practitioners aim to get from one point to another in a complex environment, without assisting equipment and in the fastest and most efficient way possible. With roots in military obstacle course training and martial arts, parkour includes running, climbing, swinging, vaulting, jumping, plyometrics, rolling, and quadrupedal movement—whatever is suitable for the situation. – From Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour

Per the International Dog Parkour Association, Dog Parkour combines elements of human parkour and dog agility to create an accessible activity for dogs and humans alike. Dogs get introduced to the world of jumping, climbing, balancing over, crawling under, and going around different obstacles in their everyday world. Parkour can be done anywhere and is limited only by one’s imagination. Dog parkour helps with confidence and overcoming fears, and it is a low impact but challenging activity for any canine athlete.

For rules and title guidelines, visit https://www.dogparkour.org/dog-parkour-titles

AKC Trick Dog

Do you and your dog love to be the life of the party by showing off his arsenal of tricks? Then he might be perfectly primed to earn AKC Trick Dog titles!

Go to AKC Trick Dog to see videos on how to teach your dog various tricks.

TRICK DOG TITLE INFO:

AKC Trick Dog titles are official AKC titles listed on the dog’s title record.

The processing fee for each title is $25. Multiple titles for the same dog can be sent in together, each one will be processed in succession after each previous title has been added and printed.

Dogs must have an AKC, PAL, or AKC Canine Partners number to earn a title. All dogs can get a number including purebreds and mixed breeds.

There are five AKC Trick Titles you and your dog can earn:

AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN)– Your dog performs 10 skills from the Novice list. (see link to “Application” below for lists of skills). If a dog has a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, it can do 5 Novice tricks (CGC + 5) to earn the Novice title. See the list of tricks here.

AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) – Your dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks. See the list of tricks here.

AKC Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) – Your dog must have the Intermediate title, plus perform 10 tricks from the Advanced list. See the list of tricks here.

AKC Trick Dog Performer (TKP) – In this title, handlers perform a short routine (story) with at least 10 tricks with at least 3 tricks using props. See the requirements here.

AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer (TKE) – In the highest level of Trick Dog, the Elite Performers perform a routine that has a story/script. At least 5 props are used. See the requirements here.

Tips for Writing Elite Performer Scripts

Get Started

There are 2 ways to earn AKC Trick Dog titles. After teaching your dog the tricks on the checklist for the title:

You can do in-person testing with an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator. The Title Application and Checklist for the particular title(s) you are applying for should be sent to AKC. AKC now offers a quick and easy way to submit your Trick Dog Title Application! Try the new –Title Application Portal (TAP) System.
You can have your tricks tested virtually by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator.

For help finding an evaluator for in-person or virtual testing, email cgc@akc.org

Your dog must have an AKC number via one of the following:

AKC Registration Number – This number is provided to a dog owner via a registration certificate received from the previous owner, or via a puppy registration paper given to the new owner by the breeder.
Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) – If a dog is purebred but an AKC Registration Number is not possible, owners can apply for PAL number.
AKC Canine Partners Number – This number is given to either mixed breed dogs or a purebred.

While dogs may begin training for trick titles as puppies, the earliest an AKC Trick Dog title will be awarded by AKC is 4 months.

· To be eligible for the AKC Trick Dog Novice Title, your dog must have been observed by a CGC Evaluator doing 10 tricks from the list of accepted tricks. If you have a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record, you may count the CGC as 5 of the required tricks. This is called “CGC + 5”.

· To be eligible for the AKC Intermediate Trick Dog, your dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks. In Intermediate Trick Dog, with the exception of a few tricks, you will fade the lures that were permitted at the Novice level. See the list of tricks here.

· To be eligible for the AKC Trick Dog Advanced Title, your dog must have been observed by a CGC Evaluator doing 10 tricks from the list of accepted tricks, and must have previously earned the Novice and Intermediate Trick Dog Titles. CGC is not required.

· To be eligible for the AKC Trick Dog Performer Title, your dog must have been observed by a CGC Evaluator doing ten tricks from the Novice, Intermediate and Advanced titles, and must include at least two Intermediate Tricks and two Advanced Tricks. Your dog must also have previously earned the Novice, Intermediate and Advanced Trick Dog Titles. CGC is not required. In this event, your routine may have a story (e.g., “This is my dog Princess. Princess loves school–here’s what she does at school. She plays ball on the playground, and then she takes a nap,” etc.) See the full list of regulations and get the application here.

To be eligible for the AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer, in the highest level of Trick Dog, the Elite Performers perform a routine that has a story/script. At least 5 props are used and at least 5 tricks must be from the Performer level of Trick Dog. See the requirements here.

For help finding an evaluator for in-person or virtual testing, email cgc@akc.org

For more information about the Trick Dog Program check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Trick Dog Resources

- List of Tricks
- Online Trick Dog Application Portal
- Tips: Writing Elite Performer Scripts
- Participants with Disabilities
- Downloadable Forms
- Find a Club/Trainer
- Find an Event
- Points and Awards
- Titles and Abbreviations
- Judges’ Directory
- Judges’ Resources
- Seminars

AKC FIT DOG TITLES

The American Kennel Club is committed to improving and maintaining the fitness and health of all dogs and their owners.

AKC FIT DOG titles were designed to provide a structured, individualized fitness plan that you and your dog can do together.

There are 3 levels of AKC fitness titles—Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each title requires a specific number of activity points to be completed, which varies based on title level.

Bronze – 5 Points Silver – 10 Points Gold – 20 Points

Within each level, there are 6 categories of activities to choose from to earn your points. Detail for each category appear in the Participant Guide.

AKC Fitness Title Categories:

AKC FIT DOG Course
Runs (community runs such as a Turkey Trot, Spring Scurry, etc.)
Walks and hikes (Independent or Group)
Unique to You and Your Dog (e.g., swimming, Parkour)
AKC title that is fitness related (e.g., FAST CAT, agility)
AKC Parent Club Performance Titles (e.g., pack dog, sledding)

For each of the 3 levels of titles, a minimum number of points must be earned in at least 2 categories for the title to be awarded.

AKC FIT DOG titles are noncompetitive, and dog owners may choose different activities to earn titles. Titles officially launched in January 2023, so start participating and recording your activities now to be able to submit your documentation as soon as they launch!

How to Get Started:

Begin by reviewing the AKC FIT DOG Checklists. Each variation of checklists (Gold, Silver, Bronze) requires various levels of commitment, so it is important to evaluate which level is best suited for you and your dog’s activity level.
Next, with the checklist in hand, take a look at the Participant Guide and review the program’s rules
After reviewing the participant guide and checklist. You must now decide which activities you and your dog would like to complete to earn your title. (I.e., FIT DOG Course, Walks, Swimming, etc.)
Once you have completed your specific activities you can fill out the title forms.
Submit the 1) Title application, Checklist, and required documentation to https://www.apps.akc.org/title-application-portal/

Forms for the Fit Dog Titles:

Title Application

Checklists:

- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Documentation Form and Walk/Run Form

Participant Guide – The Rules

For any questions, contact FITDOG@akc.org

Information provided by AKC Fit Dog: https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-family-dog-program/akc-fit-dog/akc-fit-dog-titles/

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