Over 9,000 dogs from all over the United States gathered in Orlando, FL, for the AKC National Championship Week, which includes the AKC® National Championship, sponsored by Royal Canin, along with other weekend events. Among these events was the 11th annual AKC Obedience Classic, sponsored by Eukanuba, which took place on Dec. 14 and 15 at the Orange County Convention Center. A total of 266 dogs and their handlers competed in Novice, Open, Utility, and Masters Obedience classes across three rounds of competition over two days. The winners of each division are crowned in a ceremony based on the number of points earned on Dec. 15.
The Masters Obedience Class is the highest of the obedience levels, where handlers and their dogs participate in six classes: three Open and three Utility.
The winner of the 2024 AKC Obedience Classic in the Masters obedience class is Golden Retriever “Squeeze” OTCH2 High Times Squeeze The Day UDX2 OM4 SH, owned and handled by Sharri Sibert. The Schoolcraft, Michigan team scored the highest total points, with a total of 1193 to take home the Masters class win.
Theresa Robinson
Coming in second place in the Masters class is Golden Retriever “Riot” OTCH6 High Times Quiet Riot UDX5 PCD OM9 BN JH, owned by Janice Curran and Mark Curran. Riot, handled by Janice Curran, received a score of 1191 total points.
In third place in the Masters class is Border Collie “Zayne” RNC TC OTCH15 AGCH MACH5 PACH RACH Norwood Color Me Zayne UDX16 OGM RM4 RAE4 HSAd HSBd HXAds HXBd MXC PDS MJC PJS MXPB MJPB PAX MFG TQX T2B5, owned and handled by Kim Berkley. Zayne and Berkley scored a total of 1188.5 points.
The Utility Obedience class is for dogs that have surpassed Novice and Open exercises. Exercises include Signal Exercises, Scent Discrimination, Directed Retrieve, Moving Stand and Examination, and Directed Jumping.
The winner of the 2024 AKC Obedience Classic in the Utility class is Border Collie “Surge” Starfire’s Tsunami UD PCD GO RN HSAds HSBds HXAds HXBds NA NAJ, owned and handled by Jane Johnson of Weaverville, North Carolina. Surge and Johnson scored a total of 550 points to take home first place in the Utility class.
Theresa Robinson
Coming in second place in the Utility class is Shetland Sheepdog Coastal Block That Shot UDX OM1 BN GO RE CGCA TKI ATT, owned by Sharon Fox and Jeff Fox. The team, handled by Sharon Fox, recieved a total score of 549.5 points.
In third place in the Utility class is Dachshund “Pickle” Dominos I’M A Pretty Big Dill Mwcp UD OM1 RM RAE and Annette Sizemore. Pickle is owned by Sizemore and Sarah Saddoris, and the team scored a total of 536.5 points.
The Open Obedience Class is for dogs that have mastered Novice exercises to include more complicated tasks. The dog should be able to do a variety of tasks at this level, and follow commands by voice or signal. Exercises include Heel Free and Figure Eight, Command Discrimination (Stand, Down, Sit), Drop on Recall, Retrieve on Flat, Retrieve Over High Jump, Broad Jump, Stand Stay — Get Your Leash.
This year’s 2024 AKC Obedience Classic Winner in the Open Class is Golden Retriever “Jetta” High Times Get Your Motor Run’N UD JH, owned and handled by Diane Orth. The Beltsville, Maryland team won the class with a score of 596.5 points.
Theresa Robinson
Coming in second place in the Open class is Golden Retriever “Sami” Highroller Tuna Sami UD JH, owned by Angie Martizna and Kelly Kosinski. Sami and handler Martizna scored a total of 591 points.
In third place in the Open class was Border Collie “Echo” Jumpstart Echo CDX PCDX and handler Tammy Keller with a score of 588 points. Echo is owned by Keller and Kent Keller.
The Novice Obedience class is for dogs that are getting started in the sport of obedience and can work on- and off-leash. Exercises include Heel on Leash and Figure Eight, Stand for Examination, Heel Free, Recall, Sit Stay, and Group Exercise Sit and Down Stay.
This year’s 2024 AKC Obedience Classic Winner in the Novice Class is Border Collie “Hitch” Poquatuck’s Comes With A Warning Label CDX PCD BN RN TKN, owned and handled by Rachel Tabor Flatley. The Fort White, Florida team received a total of 536 points to take home the Novice win.
Theresa Robinson
Coming in second place in the Novice class is Shetland Sheepdog Pinnacle Ocean Eyes CD, owned and handled by Kathleen Keller. The team took home 536 points.
In third place in the Novice class is Keeshond CH Daimler’s Grand Adventure CDX PCD OA OAJ OF, owned and handled by Elizabeth Strick. The team took home third with a score of 533.9 points.
Developed in the 1930s, the sport of obedience is one of the AKC’s oldest events and a great fit for dogs of all ages. While it’s best to start training your dog early, it’s never too late to teach establish good communication skills between you and your dog! Most AKC clubs hold a variety of classes in different dog sports, often instructed by award-winning trainers who have handled dogs in the sports themselves.
Learn more about getting involved in obedience.
The post Golden Retriever ‘Squeeze’ Wins 2024 AKC Obedience Classic in Masters Class appeared first on American Kennel Club.
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Masters Obedience
The Masters Obedience Class is the highest of the obedience levels, where handlers and their dogs participate in six classes: three Open and three Utility.
Overall Winner
The winner of the 2024 AKC Obedience Classic in the Masters obedience class is Golden Retriever “Squeeze” OTCH2 High Times Squeeze The Day UDX2 OM4 SH, owned and handled by Sharri Sibert. The Schoolcraft, Michigan team scored the highest total points, with a total of 1193 to take home the Masters class win.

Theresa Robinson
First Runner-Up
Coming in second place in the Masters class is Golden Retriever “Riot” OTCH6 High Times Quiet Riot UDX5 PCD OM9 BN JH, owned by Janice Curran and Mark Curran. Riot, handled by Janice Curran, received a score of 1191 total points.
Second Runner-Up
In third place in the Masters class is Border Collie “Zayne” RNC TC OTCH15 AGCH MACH5 PACH RACH Norwood Color Me Zayne UDX16 OGM RM4 RAE4 HSAd HSBd HXAds HXBd MXC PDS MJC PJS MXPB MJPB PAX MFG TQX T2B5, owned and handled by Kim Berkley. Zayne and Berkley scored a total of 1188.5 points.
Utility Obedience Winner
The Utility Obedience class is for dogs that have surpassed Novice and Open exercises. Exercises include Signal Exercises, Scent Discrimination, Directed Retrieve, Moving Stand and Examination, and Directed Jumping.
Overall Winner
The winner of the 2024 AKC Obedience Classic in the Utility class is Border Collie “Surge” Starfire’s Tsunami UD PCD GO RN HSAds HSBds HXAds HXBds NA NAJ, owned and handled by Jane Johnson of Weaverville, North Carolina. Surge and Johnson scored a total of 550 points to take home first place in the Utility class.

Theresa Robinson
First Runner-Up
Coming in second place in the Utility class is Shetland Sheepdog Coastal Block That Shot UDX OM1 BN GO RE CGCA TKI ATT, owned by Sharon Fox and Jeff Fox. The team, handled by Sharon Fox, recieved a total score of 549.5 points.
Second Runner-Up
In third place in the Utility class is Dachshund “Pickle” Dominos I’M A Pretty Big Dill Mwcp UD OM1 RM RAE and Annette Sizemore. Pickle is owned by Sizemore and Sarah Saddoris, and the team scored a total of 536.5 points.
Open Obedience Winner
The Open Obedience Class is for dogs that have mastered Novice exercises to include more complicated tasks. The dog should be able to do a variety of tasks at this level, and follow commands by voice or signal. Exercises include Heel Free and Figure Eight, Command Discrimination (Stand, Down, Sit), Drop on Recall, Retrieve on Flat, Retrieve Over High Jump, Broad Jump, Stand Stay — Get Your Leash.
Overall Winner
This year’s 2024 AKC Obedience Classic Winner in the Open Class is Golden Retriever “Jetta” High Times Get Your Motor Run’N UD JH, owned and handled by Diane Orth. The Beltsville, Maryland team won the class with a score of 596.5 points.

Theresa Robinson
First Runner-Up
Coming in second place in the Open class is Golden Retriever “Sami” Highroller Tuna Sami UD JH, owned by Angie Martizna and Kelly Kosinski. Sami and handler Martizna scored a total of 591 points.
Second Runner-Up
In third place in the Open class was Border Collie “Echo” Jumpstart Echo CDX PCDX and handler Tammy Keller with a score of 588 points. Echo is owned by Keller and Kent Keller.
Novice Obedience Winner
The Novice Obedience class is for dogs that are getting started in the sport of obedience and can work on- and off-leash. Exercises include Heel on Leash and Figure Eight, Stand for Examination, Heel Free, Recall, Sit Stay, and Group Exercise Sit and Down Stay.
Overall Winner
This year’s 2024 AKC Obedience Classic Winner in the Novice Class is Border Collie “Hitch” Poquatuck’s Comes With A Warning Label CDX PCD BN RN TKN, owned and handled by Rachel Tabor Flatley. The Fort White, Florida team received a total of 536 points to take home the Novice win.

Theresa Robinson
First Runner-Up
Coming in second place in the Novice class is Shetland Sheepdog Pinnacle Ocean Eyes CD, owned and handled by Kathleen Keller. The team took home 536 points.
Second Runner-Up
In third place in the Novice class is Keeshond CH Daimler’s Grand Adventure CDX PCD OA OAJ OF, owned and handled by Elizabeth Strick. The team took home third with a score of 533.9 points.
Want to Get Involved in Obedience?
Developed in the 1930s, the sport of obedience is one of the AKC’s oldest events and a great fit for dogs of all ages. While it’s best to start training your dog early, it’s never too late to teach establish good communication skills between you and your dog! Most AKC clubs hold a variety of classes in different dog sports, often instructed by award-winning trainers who have handled dogs in the sports themselves.
Learn more about getting involved in obedience.
The post Golden Retriever ‘Squeeze’ Wins 2024 AKC Obedience Classic in Masters Class appeared first on American Kennel Club.
Read more...