American Kennel Club Crowns New National Champions in Obedience and Rally

American Kennel Club Crowns New National Champions in Obedience and Rally

New York, NY- The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs and a leading advocate for canine health, welfare, and responsible dog ownership, is pleased to announce the winners of the AKC National Obedience Championship and AKC Rally® National Championship. More than 800 dogs from across the country competed in the two national championships, held July 16–19 at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio, where the nation’s top obedience and rally dogs earned top honors.

“These championships represent the pinnacle of achievement in AKC Obedience and Rally,” said Lisa Liggins, AKC Administrative Director of Obedience, Rally and Tracking. “The dedication, skill, and partnership demonstrated by each team throughout the competition were remarkable. We congratulate our newly crowned champions and all competitors who earned the opportunity to compete at this prestigious event. Our heartfelt thanks go to the judges, volunteers, exhibitors, and the many clubs and supporters who generously contribute their time, expertise, and equipment to help make these championships possible year after year.”

The 2026 Winners:

AKC National Obedience Championship

• The 2026 AKC National Obedience Champion is: Champion: OTCH3 Surefire Up To Speed UDX2 OM4 MH, a Golden Retriever known as “Swift,” handled by Mara Wacker of Hastings, MN
• 1st Runner-Up: OTCH12 Cookie God Of War UDX13 OGM BN RN, a Belgian Malinois known as “Cookie,” handled by Jennifer Weinik of Pipersville, PA
• 2nd Runner-Up: OTCH2 Rifka Lil’ Bit Of Bacon UDX OM2 MH, a Golden Retriever known as “Smidge,” handled by Mara Wacker of Hastings, MN
• 3rd Runner-Up: RNC TC OTCH18 AGCH MACH5 PACH RACH3 Norwood Color Me Zayne UDX19 OGM RM6 RAE6 HSAd HSBds HXAds HXBd HXDs MXC PDS MJC PJS MXPB MJP3 MJPB PAX MFG TQX MFP T2B5, a Border Collie known as “Zayne,” handled by Kim Berkley of Caseyville, IL

AKC Rally® National Championship

• The 2026 AKC Rally® National Champion is: OTCH RACH Clever K9’s She’s My Kind Of Rain UDX4 OM6 BN RM4 RAE3 OA OAJ XF, a Border Collie known as “Rain,” handled by Ann Marie Scripko of Sumterville, FL
• 1st Runner-Up: RACH2 Holther’s Light Up The Skye CDX RM4 RAE4 NA NAJ, a Border Collie known as “Skye,” handled by Karen Summers of Chelsea, AL
• 2nd Runner-Up: RNC TC OTCH13 MACH3 RACH2 Bolser Zuko You’re The One UDX14 OGM RM4 RAE4 HSAd HSBds HXAds HXBd HXDs MXC PDS MJC PJD MFG TQX T2B5, a Border Collie known as “Zuko,” handled by Kim Berkley of Caseyville, IL
• 3rd Runner-Up: RNC TC OTCH18 AGCH MACH5 PACH RACH3 Norwood Color Me Zayne UDX19 OGM RM6 RAE6 HSAd HSBds HXAds HXBd HXDs MXC PDS MJC PJS MXPB MJP3 MJPB PAX MFG TQX MFP T2B5, a Border Collie known as “Zayne,” handled by Kim Berkley of Caseyville, IL
• Rally Master: Outlaw’s This Means War CDX RM2 RAE FDC SWN CGCA CGCU TKE ATT VHMA VHMP VSWB FITG FTI, a Belgian Malinois known as “Athena,” handled by Elizabeth Berna of Chicago, IL
• Rally Excellent: Clever K9’s Catch The Wave CDX BN RE, a Border Collie known as “Wave,” handled by Ann Marie Scripko of Sumterville, FL
• Rally Advanced: Matilda Von Talerin CD BN RA FDC, a German Shepherd Dog known as “Tilly,” handled by Chad Curran of Means, KY
• Rally Intermediate: Hr Blue Jaguar BN RI TKN, a Border Collie known as “Jag,” handled by Donna Clark of Palouse, WA
• Rally Novice: Sonlight’s Fire When Ready BN RN SEN DM DS CGCA CGCU TKA FTI, a Belgian Malinois known as “Tikka,” handled by Kelli Carter of Lansing, TN

Watch these amazing dogs earn their championship titles on demand on AKC.tv^TM. AKC.tv is available 24/7 on the web.

###

About the American Kennel Club

 Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function.  Along with its more than 4,900 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 28,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred and mixed breed dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, scent work, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests.

Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite, the AKC Museum of the Dog, and the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank.  For more information, visit www.akc.org.

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.

Become a fan of the American Kennel Club on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @americankennelclub