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New Format for 'Dog of the Year' Program

May 3, 2023

Source: Domenick Muoio
Job Title: Field Trial & Hunt Test Program Manager
Email: dmuoio@ukcdogs.com

We at UKC are excited to announce a new format for this season's Dog of the Year program!

The changes exclusively effect the Dog of the Year for champion, non-retriever, and working classes. All other year-end awards will continue to be the same as before.

With this new change to the format, we hope to see some fantastic competition and make it easier on those who wish to bid for the various Dog of the Year awards. Instead of having to race across the country we have carefully curated 14 events to host what we are calling "Dog of the Year Events." These specific events will be the ones where points can be earned for Dog of the Year. We hope that this change will concentrate some of the most competitive dogs from around each of these clubs and the country which will add to the prestige and rigor of the Dog of the Year award competitions.

In order to throw your hat in the ring, there will be a qualifying minimum of 8 successful runs across these 14 events. With the opportunity for 28 total runs, even the average weekend warrior in the sport can find themselves in the running this year! Not much has changed from what you are used to, events will still run under the standard running rules for all classes with a few minor differences. All the clubs hosting events this year have demonstrated the ability to put on quality events with high entries and for that reason, there shall be no entry limits for any of these events, just entry deadlines. There will, however, be a dog per handler class limit of 3 (just like at the Nationals).

Also, to the favor of the weekend warrior, only Saturday and Sunday runs at the 14 events count towards Dog of the Year. Dog of the Year runs will earn points based on number of dogs beat, and the result of the run (i.e. pass, 1st, 2nd). Every successful run you participate in across the 28 opportunities in the series, is rewarded in the Dog of the Year event running. Since we have created a format with a finite opportunity to earn DOY progress, we have also required that the host clubs allow dogs in heat for these events as well.

We also will adjust the quarterly announcements to no longer be a nomination format, and will instead be posting the top performing dogs of the season each quarter. This is a request we have had from the sport for some time and are happy to provide this to our competitors! We hope you all enjoy this new format as much as we hope you do and best of luck to all of you!

Guided by the belief that dogs make a difference by being the best partner a human can have in the field, on the job, or in a competition event, UKC is a community for people and dogs to pursue excellence together. Founded in 1898, UKC has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of Dogs That Do More, and their owners, by providing essential resources to help owners and breeders make informed decisions. The dog-human bond is celebrated through family-friendly programs highlighting the instincts and heritage of purebred and mixed-breed dogs alike at over 18,000 licensed events annually.

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