The Masters Obedience Championship At Westminster
Superstar obedience dogs and their handlers from across the country compete in the Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster.
The title of Masters Obedience Champion is awarded to the top dog in this competition. The top 200 dogs based on AKC Obedience Trial Champion points earned between a specific period will be invited along with the winners of the previous year’s Masters Obedience Championship, AKC Classic Master Class, and AKC National Obedience Championship. Non-invited dogs may also compete if they are eleigible for AKC Obedience Trial Open B and Utility B Classes and have earned the AKC Obedience Trial Championship (OTCH) prior to submitting their entry for this event are also eligible but will not receive an advanced invitation. Only 25 entries are accepted for this limited competition. This year’s event will continue the tradition, like agility, of including mixed breed dogs enrolled in the AKC’s Canine Partners program.
The Masters Obedience Championship is a unique event in the sport of Obedience in that it consists of two rounds of AKC-approved exercises. One round will contain Open B exercises, and the other round will have Utility B exercises. First through fourth placements will be awarded in each round, with the highest-scoring team from either round awarded High in Trial. The Masters Obedience Champion will be determined by the combined individual qualifying scores from both rounds. The Westminster Kennel Club donates $5,000 to honor the winner of the Masters Obedience Championship to an AKC training club of their choice or the AKC Humane Fund.