American Kennel Club Crowns 2026 Trick Dog Winners
The eighth annual virtual event highlights top canine performers from a field of over 200 global competitors.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Dogs
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The American Kennel Club has announced the winners of its 8th annual Trick Dog Competition. Caitlin Dermody and her Miniature Schnauzer, Arwen, took home the top prize in the virtual event.
Why it matters
The competition showcases the growing popularity of canine performance training and interactive enrichment activities for pets. It provides a global platform for owners to demonstrate the bond and discipline developed through training.
The 8th annual event drew more than 200 competitors from across the globe. The American Kennel Club maintains a network of 4,900 licensed and member clubs supporting 28,000 annual competitions.
The players
American Kennel Club
This is a non-profit organization that maintains a registry of purebred dog pedigrees and promotes the sport of purebred dogs.
Caitlin Dermody
She is the handler of the Miniature Schnauzer Arwen and the overall winner of the 2026 competition.
Kelly Manning
She is the handler of the Australian Kelpie Twitch and the winner of the international class.
The details
Competitors submitted videos of their dogs performing various tricks to be evaluated by a panel of judges. Kelly Manning and her Australian Kelpie, Twitch, secured the win in the international class of the competition.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: The American Kennel Club announced the competition winners.
Culture Shift
This event reflects the expansion of the AKC Trick Dog title program into a competitive virtual format. It signals a move toward accessible, remote-friendly pet activities that allow owners worldwide to engage with formalized canine training standards.
Owners interested in similar engagement can pursue Trick Dog titles through their local member clubs. The virtual nature of the event demonstrates that pet training certification is increasingly accessible regardless of geographical location.
The takeaway
Training your dog can serve as a vital mental exercise that strengthens the relationship between you and your pet. Owners can start by teaching simple, foundation-level tricks before progressing toward more complex competitive performance standards.
Further reading
For more information on training techniques, visit Dogs.
More information
Learn more about teaching your dog tricks on the official AKC portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
Live Poll
Do you believe training your pet to perform tricks improves your bond with them?
