Your Dog Has the AKC Elite Performer Title. Here's How to Enter the 2024 Virtual Competition
From the 6-minute routine limit to the October 1 deadline, these are the rules that govern the 2024 AKC Virtual Trick Dog National Competition.
Who can enter the 2024 AKC Virtual Trick Dog National Competition?
Only dogs that have earned the AKC Elite Performer Trick Dog title are eligible to enter the 2024 AKC Virtual Trick Dog National Competition. That title is the single entry key, and there is no breed restriction — mixed breeds and purebreds alike can submit. The dog must also be living to win; the rules state plainly that the dog must be alive when prizes are awarded. You don't need to meet the Elite Performer title's test criteria in your competition routine; the title is just the qualification. The competition does not require a separate qualifying score or a regional round. If your dog has the title, you can prepare a video and submit an application when entries open. Just confirm your dog's title is recorded with the AKC before you upload, because the entry form will likely ask for that proof.
How long can my routine be, and how many tricks must it include?
The routine must not exceed 6 minutes, and that limit includes any time you spend moving props once the routine starts, as well as any talking at the beginning. You must include a minimum of 10 tricks within that time. The 6-minute cap applies to the entire video from the first frame to the last; there is no separate allowance for setup or narration. The clock starts when you begin recording, not when the dog starts performing. Because the routine is judged on flow, the 10 tricks should appear as a seamless sequence rather than a list. Plan your transitions so they eat only the seconds you need, and double-check the final video's runtime before you submit — going past 6 minutes is a disqualifier.
Can I submit a video I already used to earn a title?
Yes, you can reuse a video that was previously submitted to the AKC for earning a title, or you can use a video of a past trick dog performance — just as long as it wasn't entered in a previous AKC Virtual National Trick Dog Competition. The video must be a single continuous take, as though you were filming a live performance at a school or a hospital. You are allowed up to two minor edits, for example to cut out a trick that pushes you past the 6-minute limit, but you cannot edit multiple tricks together or present each trick as a separate clip. The result should feel like one unbroken run. If your old title-earning video meets that standard and hasn't been used in last year's virtual nationals, it's eligible.
What are the time and video editing rules for the routine?
The routine must be performed within a strict six-minute window, and the countdown begins the moment the camera rolls—moving props or speaking at the start counts against you. You'll need to showcase at least ten distinct tricks, but the video itself must appear as a single, unbroken live performance, like a stage show at a school or hospital. To achieve that illusion, you're allowed only two minor edits, and those are meant for trimming small flubs or cutting a trick that would push you past the time limit—not for stitching together separate demo clips. Each trick should flow naturally into the next, and you can't cut away to show individual behaviors out of sequence. The goal is an organic, continuous routine, so plan your choreography and rehearsal carefully to minimize the need for edits, because the judges will be watching for that seamless quality. Keep the camera steady and capture the whole performance from start to finish without pausing between actions.
Are there any restrictions on collars or other equipment?
Dogs may not wear prong collars, e-collars, or head collars in the routine. They also cannot wear a full costume; a decorative collar or a neck ruffle is the only accessory allowed. The three banned collars are explicitly named in the rules and apply to the entire video. There is no restriction on flat buckle collars or harnesses, but if your dog normally trains with a head collar you'll need to switch to a plain flat collar for the recording. The handler can wear any costume, but the dog's outfit stays minimal. These equipment rules are strict — a prong collar visible in even one frame could make the routine ineligible. Check every second of your video for any of these items before you upload.
How will my routine be judged?
Routines are judged on six criteria: creativity, fluency (meaning both the accuracy of tricks and their difficulty), flow from one trick to the next, handling skills, entertainment value, and overall impression, which includes the background setting. The rules don't assign weights, so each criterion presumably counts equally. Fluency covers whether the dog performs each trick correctly and how challenging the tricks are. Flow is about the smoothness of transitions — no dead pauses or mismatched cues. Handling skills measure how clearly you signal the dog without obvious verbal or physical prompts. Entertainment value and overall impression take in the visual polish, the dog's attitude, and the production quality of the video. Since it's a virtual competition, your background and lighting are part of what the judges see, so a cluttered or noisy setting can lower that final score.
What are breed prizes and how are they awarded?
Breed prizes are awarded at the discretion of the judges, meaning they are not automatically given out. If only one dog of a specific breed enters and that dog's routine is not outstanding, the breed prize may not be awarded at all. The rules state explicitly that if there is just one entry for a breed and the performance isn't exceptional, the judges can skip that prize. So having the only Basenji in the competition doesn't guarantee you a ribbon. There is no fixed number of breed prizes and no pre-set list of breeds; the awards depend on which breeds appear in the entry pool and how strong those routines are. The judges evaluate each breed's solo representative during the same review process, and they award prizes only when the performance merits it.
Do I need to meet the Elite Performer title requirements in my routine?
No. The Elite Performer title itself requires at least 5 props and 5 Performer-level tricks, but the virtual competition does not require you to include those in your submission. The rules say the routine may, but does not have to, adhere to the requirements for earning the title. However, they also note that performances with props and higher-level tricks are likely to score better. That's because the judging criteria include fluency, which measures difficulty, and creativity. A routine without props and with only basic tricks will still be accepted, but it will face a scoring disadvantage compared to a performance that uses the richer elements. The decision is yours, but the rules clearly steer for ambition: bring the props and the advanced tricks if you want to compete for the top spots.
When is the deadline and how do I submit?
Entries open on Thursday, August 1, 2024, and the deadline is Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. EST. You must submit an application that includes a video link; the rules specify that the application including the link must be received by that time — not just postmarked. Make sure the video is uploaded to a platform where it stays accessible, and that the application form is fully filled out with the correct URL. There is no mention of an entry fee or a separate registration step, so the application itself is the only required action. If you plan to reuse a previous video, confirm the link still works and doesn't require a password. After the deadline, the judges review all submissions, and winners are announced later, though the rules don't specify that announcement date.
Compiled from published reference material: www.akc.org
