AKC National Agility Championship

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Activities Dog Sports
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Announced annually by the AKC
Holiday emoji:: 🐶

The AKC National Agility Championship gathers the nation’s most agile dogs and their handlers for a thrilling competition each March. Watch as canine athletes navigate challenging obstacle courses with precision and speed, showcasing incredible teamwork. Discover how to get involved, train your dog, or simply enjoy the excitement of this premier dog sport event.

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Platforms
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History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
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Expected AKC National Agility Championship Deals

While official 2027 promotions are yet to be announced, the AKC National Agility Championship typically inspires a flurry of deals from pet supply retailers and training facilities. Look for discounts on agility equipment from brands like Clean Run and Max 200, special offers on premium dog food from Purina Pro Plan (a frequent AKC sponsor), and training package deals from local dog schools. Online pet stores such as Chewy and PetSmart often run sales on toys, treats, and travel gear for competing dogs. Veterinary clinics may also offer check-up specials for canine athletes. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 2027 approaches.

Platform Guide for AKC National Agility Championship

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #AKCAgility. Share photos and short videos of your dog’s agility training or favorite canine athletes.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #AKCAgility. Film your dog mastering a new trick or a fun agility-inspired challenge.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #AKCAgility. Tweet about your favorite agility moments, share results, or discuss top contenders.

AKC National Agility Championship Hero

Kenneth A. Marden

Kenneth A. Marden served as the President and CEO of the American Kennel Club from 1987 to 1995. During his tenure, he oversaw significant growth and modernization of the AKC, including the expansion of dog sports like agility, which gained official recognition and popularity under his leadership.

History of AKC National Agility Championship

Dog agility is the fastest-growing sport in the country. It captivates spectators of all ages and gives them a serotonin boost as they watch lovely dogs jump around. Dog agility show first took place in Crufts Dog Show. John Varley in the 1978 Crufts annual show was tasked to create an event that would entertain the audience between the conformation and the obedience segment of the show. John collaborated with Peter and created the first dog agility demonstration. It was broadcast on Belgian television and was well received by people so much that the demonstration returned in 1979.

Varley, who is also the narrator of the competition, explained that the goal behind his creating the event was to bring some fun to Crufts. This agility course was very similar to the modern agility courses at A.K.C., which included tunnels and collapsed tunnels and a ‘catwalk,’ later renamed ‘dog walk.’ Initially, Varley included only one jump to the course, which was very high.

In 1980, The Kennel Club of the U.K. recognized dog agility as a sport and began to sanction trials. The dog agility sport was inspired by the sport of equestrian show jumping. In 1993, the American Kennel Club held a meeting regarding agility as a sport for dogs, and in 1994, the first A.K.C.’s licensed agility trial took place at the Astro World Series of Dog Shows.

AKC National Agility Championship timeline

1978

The First Dog Demonstration

The first dog demonstration happens at the Crufts show.

1980

The Dog Agility is Recognized as a Sport

The Kennel Club, the official kennel club of the U.K., recognizes dog agility as a sport.

1996

The First A.K.C. Team

The first A.K.C.’s World Agility Team competes in Switzerland.

2009

A.K.C. Canine Partners Program Is Created

A.K.C. Canine Partners Program enables mixed-breed dogs to compete in A.K.C. performance sports.

AKC National Agility Championship FAQs

When is the AKC National Agility Championship?

The 2027 AKC National Agility Championship is scheduled for Thursday, March 11, through Saturday, March 13. Mark your calendars to witness top canine athletes in action.

How many dogs compete in the AKC National Agility Championship?

With thousands of dogs participating in local trials annually, the championship draws an elite field of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 qualified dogs to compete for the national title in various height classes.

What are the different classes in AKC Agility?

The AKC Agility program features several classes designed to test different skills, such as Standard (contact obstacles, tunnels, jumps), Jumpers with Weaves (jumps and weave poles only), and FAST (Designed to test strategy and distance handling). Dogs compete in specific height divisions.

How do dogs qualify for the AKC National Agility Championship?

Qualification for the 2027 event requires dogs to demonstrate consistent excellence in AKC-sanctioned agility trials throughout the year. Handlers must accumulate qualifying scores and MACH points, showcasing their dog’s consistent performance at the highest levels of the sport.

AKC National Agility Championship Activities

Spend time with your dog
Appreciate the ball of happiness that is your dog. Spend time with your dog; take it for a walk.
Watch A.K.C. National Agility Championship
Watch A.K.C. National Agility Championship with your dog. You can catch the show on E.S.P.N.
Enroll yourself for agility class
Enroll yourself and your dog in an agility class. A.K.C. offers agility classes, and you can even practice at home.

5 Facts About Dogs

They have a sharp sense of smell
A dog’s sense of smell is 40 times better than a human’s.
Dogs don’t sweat like us
Dogs don’t sweat like humans but release a pheromone that humans can’t detect.
They can be right-pawed or left-pawed
Like humans, dogs also have a preferred paw.
They have a lot of ear muscles
Dogs have about 18 muscles in their ears.
They get jealous
A study at U.C.S.D. claims that dogs can get jealous if they see their owners display affection for someone else.

Why We Love AKC National Agility Championship

The championship is for everyone
The A.K.C. National Agility Championship is enjoyed by everyone. People of all ages enjoy the serotonin boost attained by watching dogs.
It is a joy to watch
It is genuinely exciting to watch the ingenuity of dogs. The bond between dogs and their owners is also pleasurable to watch.
It strengthens the bond between dog and owner
Practicing for the agility championship is a great bonding moment between the owner and the dog. It can strengthen the ties between them as they exercise together.