conformation & sporting events

Breed standards describe what an animal should look like, how it should move, and how it should behave. These standards aren't based on science and can change over time depending on what the group that writes them thinks is important.

An APDR Conformation Show is an event in which specific breeds will be judged by a reputable APDR Sanctioned Judge according to the Conformation Standard of the APDR to indicate a degree of breed excellence.

A dog wall climb is a fun and challenging sport where dogs try to climb up a vertical wall as high as they can. Usually, there’s a tug toy or something exciting at the top to motivate them. It’s a great way to show off a dog’s strength, agility, and drive.

A slatmill race is a competition where dogs run on a special treadmill that only moves when they do. It's powered entirely by the dog, so they set their own pace. It’s a great workout and also a fun way for dogs to compete — some dog gyms even hold slatmill racing tournaments.

A dog weight pull competition is a sport where dogs pull a weighted cart or sled over a specific distance, and they’re timed to see how fast they can do it. The goal is to find out which dog can pull the most weight (compared to or percentage of their own body weight).

A dog tug-of-war competition is where two dogs pull on opposite ends of a rope, trying to pull the other one toward their side. It’s a playful contest that taps into their natural instincts of catching and sharing prey, and can be a fun and engaging way for dogs to compete and bond with their owners.