There’s a reason why the phrase “man’s best friend” exists: It describes how much you and your dog complement each other, the time you spend together and the close relationship you have. That’s the foundation behind Companion events: To demonstrate the deep companionship between you and your dog. In these events, you and your dog train together to demonstrate the bond that forms between a well-trained dog and his owner. All dogs can participate in Companion events, including mixed-breed dogs.

Companion events include:

Agility – In Agility, dogs race against a clock as they navigate an obstacle course. Dogs and owners strive to improve their speed and teamwork Agility is a fun, energizing sport that provides healthy exercise for dogs and a rewarding experience for owners.

Obedience – Developed in the 1930s, Obedience is one of the AKC’s oldest sporting events. The objective is to train your dog to be well-behaved at home or in public places. Whether you are walking on- or off-leash or retrieving and jumping, obedience demonstrates the teamwork between you and your dog.

AKC Rally® – Think of an AKC Rally® event as any team sport: You and your dog navigate, side-by-side, through a course of 10-20 different signs. The signs indicate a skill for your dog to perform, like sit or down. You and your dog move continuously throughout the course with a clear sense of teamwork. Rally is about working happily together while performing the necessary skills.

Tracking – Tracking is a non-competitive sport that demonstrates your dog’s natural ability to recognize and follow scent. It is the foundation of canine search and rescue work. In tracking, your dog is completely in charge since only he knows how to find and follow a specific scent. For many, the greatest pleasure of tracking are the hours spent outside, training and interacting with their dogs.