From The Dog Lady’s mailbag: The American Kennel Club and UpDog are pleased to announce that it will recognize the accomplishments of dogs in UpDog Challenge disc dog events with an AKC Disc Dog title. UpDog Challenge (UpDog), an independent governing body for the sport of disc dog, has taken the basic game of fetch with a flying disc and expanded it into a number of creative, fun games.
“UpDog events provide a fun and healthy activity that all dogs and owners can enjoy,” said Doug Ljungren, AKC Executive Vice President of Sports and Events. “It is exciting to watch a dog’s enthusiasm for the sport. The AKC is delighted to associate with UpDog and feels disc dog events will complement many other AKC sports and activities.”
UpDog currently has ten different disc games. All games are based on the standard game of fetch, with different focuses on accuracy, distance, and speed. Several of their games also incorporate agility obstacles. Dogs earn points within each game, which are collected to earn titles called “UPs.” Depending on the number of points accumulated, a dog can earn a Bronze UP, Silver UP, Gold UP, Platinum UP, or the coveted Unobtanium UP. Rules governing UpDog events and information about hosting UpDog events can be found on updogchallenge.com.
“UpDog Challenge was founded with the goal of making the sport of disc dogging accessible to all. Our games are specially formulated so that dogs of any breed, type, size, or shape—and handlers of any ability—can play and be successful,” said Kat Fahle, CEO of UpDog Challenge. Babz Mahony, UpDog’s CFO says, “Fetch is a foundational game almost everyone plays with their dog. If your dog can fetch, your dog can play UpDog. We encourage all dog owners to come join in the fun.”
Dogs that earn UPs in three different games are eligible for an AKC Disc Dog title. For example, if a dog has gotten the Bronze UP in three games, they are eligible for the AKC Disc Dog Bronze (DDB) title. Dogs that earn Bronze UPs in six different games are eligible for the Disc Dog Bronze Elite (DDBE) title. “This allows dogs to be recognized for excellence in a variety of games, while leaving the owners free to choose their favorites,” said Stephanie Kennerley, AKC Sport Development Manager. “UpDog is a fabulous activity and we are pleased to provide dog owners this new titling opportunity.”
Specifics about the UpDog/AKC titling program and the AKC title application form can be found in the AKC Title Recognition Program section of the AKC website by clicking on Disc Dog. Title applications will be processed beginning October 1, 2019. A dog’s accomplishments (UPs earned) will be grandfathered back to the beginning of UpDog in 2014.
Clubs that are interested in exploring the possibility of holding UpDog disc dog competition in conjunction with their events should contact [email protected] to discuss.
Have you ever watched this event? It looks like tons of fun, both for two-leggers and for four-leggers!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!