NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest not-for-profit dog registry and a leading advocate for canine welfare and responsible dog ownership, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 AKC Trick Dog Competition.
The overall winners were Caitlin Dermody from La Crescenta, CA, and her Miniature Schnauzer, “Arwen.” Their routine, “The Bonny Bark Bandit” was enhanced by Dermody’s comical performance. Arwen moved eagerly from one trick to the next with her handler at a distance.
The overall international winners were Kelly Manning and “Twitch,” an Australian Kelpie from Australia that performed tricks including riding a skateboard.
The 8th Annual competition was a virtual event, open to Elite Performers, AKC’s highest level of trick dogs. New to the competition this year was the international class, and more than 200 competitors from all over the United States, Canada, and Australia submitted videos of outstanding performances that were evaluated by judges.
“Every year, the AKC Elite Performer routines in the competition get more entertaining and sophisticated,” said Mary Burch, Ph.D., Director of the AKC Family Dog Program. “Trick training is a wonderful bonding experience, and it comes across so clearly in the submission videos. Congratulations to all the winners and participants.”
The two semi-finalists in the competition were Heidi Armstrong and her mixed-breed dog, “Cheza,” from Austin, TX, and April Paulman and her Bulldog, “Mindy,” from Shelbyville, IN. For Cheza and Armstrong, their touching routine, “Dear Cheza”, was based on Armstrong’s original poem that was a love letter to her extraordinary canine companion. In their routine, “Mindy Saves Wonderland,” April Paulman’s Bulldog, “Mindy,” performed difficult tricks such as walking across tightropes.
Watch the winning and finalists videos below:
Overall Winner
“Arwen”
handled by Caitlin Dermody from La Crescenta, CA
https://youtu.be/viXPLh1K6RY
International Winner
“Twitch”
handled by Kelly Manning of Australia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq3sg6i0okA
Semi-finalists
“Cheza”
handled by Heidi Armstrong from Austin, TX
https://youtu.be/6Iit6CS2Yyw
“Mindy”
handled by April Paulman from Shelbyville, IN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NavVA0C4KII
To learn more about teaching your dog to do tricks, see: https://www.akc.org/sports/trick-dog/
About the American Kennel Club
Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its more than 4,900 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 28,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred and mixed breed dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, scent work, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests.
Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite, the AKC Museum of the Dog, and the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank. For more information, visit www.akc.org.
AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.
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Contact: Jessica D’Amato
Phone: (212) 696-8346
Email: Jessica.Damato@akc.org
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/847072d9-5c40-4514-a8cb-64d727d8594e
