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AKC Dog Sports

1. Conformation

Often just called “showing.”

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  • In Conformation, Judges evaluate how closely your dog matches the official breed standard.

  • Dogs compete against others of the same breed.

  • Winners advance to Group Judging

  • Group winners advance to Best in Show Judging

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2. Companion Events

These focus on training and teamwork.

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  • Obedience – Formal precision exercises (heel, sit, stay, recall).

  • Rally (Rally Obedience) – A more relaxed course with obedience stations.

  • Tracking – Following a human scent trail.

3. Performance Sports

These highlight speed, skill, and athletic ability.

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  • Agility – Obstacle courses with jumps, tunnels, weave poles.

  • Fast CAT – 100-yard timed dash chasing a lure.

  • CAT (Coursing Ability Test) – 300–600 yard lure course.

  • Barn Hunt (technically separate from AKC but popular) – Rat scent search.

  • Earthdog – For terriers to test natural hunting instinct.

  • Dock Diving (through other organizations) – Long jump into water.  

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4. Scent Work

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  • ​Scent Work – Locating essential oils (similar to detection work).

5. Trick & Titles

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