AKC Delegate Information

AKC Delegate Meeting Summary Update –June 8-9, 2026
Respectfully submitted, Alyson Casper,
President and AKC Delegate

Health Concern: New World Screw Worm has been brought into the USA from Mexico. There are confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico. This disease was eradicated from the US decades ago, but recent detection has brought renewed concerns. The USDA and the AVMA are tracking confirmed cases. They will lay eggs which hatch in 12-24 hours and the larvae burrows into the healthy tissues, creating a painful wound that will quickly enlarge. Without treatment, this infestation can become severe and even fatal. Information will continue to evolve. Public health officials and veterinarians are closely monitoring this situation.

The following information was provided about the status of the AKC events as of May 26, 2026:

• Conformation down – (2.1%)
• Agility down – (4.0%)
• Scent Work up (14.9%)
• Fast CAT®– down ( 5.5%)
• Rally – up (5.1%)
• Field Trials down – (5.0%)
• Obedience down – (1.8%)
• Hunting Tests down – (17.9%)
• Fetch down – (35.4%)
• Herding down – (6.4%)
• Lure Coursing – down (12.3%)
• AKC Temperament Test – up (27.5%)
• Farm Dog Certified – up ( 12.4%)
• Earthdog down – (30.1%)
• Tracking Up – (14.1%)
• Total Entries – all AKC Events – down (1.8%)
• Total Events up 3.6%

Obedience & Rally Nationals – to be held at the Roberts Center, Ohio.

National Obedience Championship – July 16 & 17, 2026. There are 141 entries

Rally National Championship – July 18 & 19, 2026 – There are 804 entries.

AKC Board of Directors approved in May – FAST in Obedience means the handler and dog must move forward at a noticeable accelerated speed. Effective June 1, 2026.

Rally: A new Rally rules book was published. Chapter 2, Section 15 indicates that no harnesses are allowed on the show grounds or in the ring during the competition. The Companion Events Committee indicated they were not aware of this ruling and it should be reviewed by their committee and approved prior to making a new ruling. The committee does not believe they can control the use of a harness on a show ground and will look into this ruling.

Agility : The Agility Equipment Safety Study update from the Coalition for Agility Reporting on Incidents and Safety (CARIS) provided a preliminary report. They are exploring injuries and incidents on the Dog Walk. They are continuing their review.

It was recommendation to allow a second dual-pointed obstacle in the FAST class. B.

Allow Agility Trial Secretaries to have the ability to do day-of move-ups and move-downs and move across (reg to preferred or preferred to reg) and heights changes. Any changes would be for all classes and not just an individual class. C.

Allow Novice and Open Class Trial to hold two trials in one day.

These recommendations are effective June 1, 2026.

The AKC approved the use of a new Wall Jump. This will begin August 1,2026.

Coursing & Scent Work – a subcommittee has been formed to look at safety, course layout and equipment running. There has also been new judges training developed.

The AKC Legislative Committee continues to monitor regulations across the United States. The Healthy Dog Importation Act which is part of the Farm Bill has passed in the house and is now being reviewed in the Senate. For more information go to: NAIAOnline.org

There was an article in USA Today which outlined that 1 million dogs/year are brought into the US or purchased and called “rescues” for resale. Due to the elimination of the traditional local dog stores and puppy mills, shelters have had to go to other sources. Shelters are now buying dogs either from other countries or from pet breeders who used to sell to pet stores. The AKC is working on standards for Rescue. The public should be aware that not all rescues are true rescues or doing the right thing. The AKC is now looking into this and are now calling this Dog Trafficking.

AKC Owner Handled Department – As of May 2026, the National Owner Handler Series in conformation has developed Levels of Achievement which will go on the dog’s registration as a title. This will recognize owner-handled dogs through Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum designations. These levels will be earned by accumulating a predetermined number of lifetime National Owner Handled Series points. This program aims to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of owner-handlers and their dogs in conformation.

Respectfully submitted,
Alyson Casper
DOCOH AKC Delegate/President