Sanctioning and registration organizations
AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB (AKC) The AKC is the largest registry of purebred dogs. The AKC sanctions events in herding, obedience, agility, tracking and conformation. Dogs registered with AKC must either be purebred (with AKC papers) or apply for an ILP (indefinite listing privilege) to compete in events sanctioned by AKC. Dogs applying for an ILP must send proof of spay/neuter.
UNITED KENNEL CLUB (UKC) UKC sanctions events in obedience, agility and conformation. It also offers participation to dogs of mixed parentage through the AMBOR program. Dogs must apply for registration with UKC by showing proof of registry with another organization such as AKC or AMBOR (AMERICAN MIXED BREED REGISTRY).
AMERICAN HERDING BREEDS ASSOCIATION (AHBA) The AHBA sanctions herding events for dogs of all the herding breeds, including several that are not normally thought of as herding dogs such as Rottweilers and Samoyeds. AHBA also allows particiaption of mixed breed dogs, as long as part of the mix is a herding breed dog.
NORTH AMERICAN DOG AGILITY COUNCIL (NADAC) NADAC sanctions agiliy events in the US and Canada. Dogs must register for a NADAC number before being able to compete in trials.
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD CLUB OF AMERICA (ASCA) This registry for Australian Shepherds also offers all breed obedience, agility and herding events.
UNITED STATES BORDER COLLIE HANDLERS ASSOCIATION (USBCHA) The group is not a registry, they sanction Border Collie field trials which are actually open to ANY dog, registered or not, that is able to complete the course.
Types of Events
HERDING is an activity that involves dogs moving livestock (ducks, sheep, cattle, goats, etc) around a course. For more about herding look here |