A WORD OR TWO: FROM AKC PRESIDENT AND CEO GINA DINARDO

This month, I am pleased to share several exciting updates from across the AKC, including the opening of entries for the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin, the return of AKC® Meet the Breeds®, AKC Fast CAT Invitational Winners, and Team USA’s participation in the FCI Agility World Championships.

AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY ROYAL CANIN ENTRIES OPEN

The road to America’s National Champion starts now. Entries are officially open for the 2026 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin, and this is an event you will not want to miss.

Now in its 26th year, the AKC National Championship is the largest dog show in the United States and the only Conformation event hosted by the American Kennel Club. Each December, it brings together extraordinary dogs, breeders, owners, handlers, and exhibitors from across the country and around the world for one of the most anticipated weeks on the AKC calendar.

And there is much more to experience than the championship ring. The week features the AKC Agility Invitational, AKC Obedience Classic, AKC RACH (Rally Champion) Invitational, Junior competitions in Conformation, Agility, Obedience, and Rally, and the always popular Diving Dogs special attraction. From remarkable athleticism to the very best examples of our breeds, there is something happening at every turn.

It all builds to an unforgettable finale, when the nation’s top dogs enter the ring and one exceptional dog emerges as America’s National Champion.

Whether you are competing, cheering on friends, or simply want to experience the excitement of AKC dog sports at their highest level, Orlando is the place to be this December.

Entries close November 8 at 3 p.m. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of it.

AKC® MEET THE BREEDS® RETURNS TO NEW YORK CITY

One of my favorite opportunities to introduce the public to the incredible world of purebred dogs returns to New York City on January 23 and 24, 2027.

AKC® Meet the Breeds® Presented by Purina Pro Plan will once again take over the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for two days of education, demonstrations and, of course, dogs.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet more than 100 breeds, speak directly with knowledgeable breeders and breed experts, and experience AKC sports firsthand.

But Meet the Breeds is about much more than introducing people to individual breeds. It gives us an important opportunity to help the public understand why purebred dogs matter and why choosing a purpose-bred dog from a responsible breeder can be the right choice for their family.

Choosing a dog is a deeply personal decision, and families should have the information they need to make that decision thoughtfully. Understanding a breed’s temperament, energy level, size, grooming needs, history, and purpose can help prospective owners identify a dog that is well suited to their lifestyle and expectations. Meet the Breeds allows us to have those conversations directly with thousands of dog lovers and prospective owners, while also demonstrating the value of responsible breeding, health testing, and the predictability that comes from generations of careful breed preservation.

Our Parent Clubs and their dedicated volunteers are at the heart of that effort. Their knowledge and firsthand experience bring each breed to life and help attendees look beyond appearance to understand what living with that breed is really like. No one is better equipped to tell these stories than the people who have dedicated themselves to preserving, protecting, and advancing their breeds.

Sign-up information has been sent directly to Parent Clubs. If your club has not received the information, has questions about participating, or needs additional details, please contact: meetthebreeds@akc.org.

Ticket information will be announced on the AKC Meet the Breeds website as we get closer to the event.

AKC FAST CAT INVITATIONAL WINNERS

Ten of the fastest dogs from each breed competed in the 7th annual AKC Fast CAT Invitational and I am honored to congratulate the winners of the 2026 competition. Over the three-day event, which took place September 18-21, 2026, at the Sycamore Creek Family Ranch in Branson, Missouri, each dog competed twice in one of two divisions: Pure Speed and Speed of the Breed. In the Pure Speed division, the top 10 fastest dogs within each height class were recognized based on their actual running times. In the Speed of the Breed division, the top 10 dogs that most exceeded their breed’s average speed were honored. The respective titles of 2026 Pure Speed Champion and 2026 Speed of the Breed Champion were awarded to the highest-ranking dog in each division.

We are incredibly proud of the 682 Fast CAT dogs from 48 U.S. States and two Canadian Provinces, representing 197 individual breeds and 16 mixed-breed dogs, that competed this year. The sheer talent and dedication of these canines is truly amazing. A very special congratulations to the two champions from each division: Pure Speed Division Champion: Fritsch FCAT7, a Greyhound known as “Fritz,” owned by David Nevius & Chris Kronick. This is Fritz’s second year in a row as Pure Speed Champion; Speed of the Breed Division Champion: Orbit Three Two One Blastoff Artemis RI DCAT CGC, a Biewer Terrier known as “Artie,” owned by Kathleen Miles.

You can view the full list of winners here: https://www.akc.org/press-releases/full-speed-ahead-the-nations-quickest-dogs-crowned-at-akc-fast-cat-invitational/

FCI AGILITY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2026

This past month, the world’s top canine Agility athletes met in Turku, Finland, for the 2026 FCI Agility World Championship. This six-day event, which took place on September 22-29, 2026, was full of speed, skill, and excitement. The AKC/USA World Agility League made some incredible strides at this competition and came home with three Bronze Medals in the following categories: Small Team Agility, Small Team Combined, and Small Individual Agility.

We are incredibly proud of all the hard work the AKC/USA World Agility League has put into their training for the sport. Their dedication and talent are what got them here and is reflected by this achievement. Congratulations to the entirety of the AKC/USA World Agility League and to the bronze title winners; Laura Dolan & Pre, Abbey Beasley & SuperStar, Han Yu & Skye, and Laura Dolan & Coos.

To view the full list of winners, please visit: https://awc2026.fi/

From the dogs competing at the highest levels of our sports to the breeders, clubs, volunteers, owners, and handlers who make these opportunities possible, each of these updates reflects the breadth of what we do at the AKC. I continue to be inspired by the dedication of our community and the many ways you help us educate the public, strengthen our sports, preserve our breeds, and create opportunities for people to experience the extraordinary bond we share with our dogs. There is a lot to look forward to in the months ahead, and I hope to see many of you ringside, at an event, or out there sharing your love and knowledge of dogs with the next generation of dog owners.