The 2026 AKC Regional Junior Showmanship Event Schedule Is Available Now

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs – and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is excited to announce the Regional Junior Showmanship Events planned for this year.

These events will provide juniors (9-18) the opportunity to compete and develop skills within a structured, regional format, fostering participation in dog sports. They will follow the same judging format as the Limited Class Junior Showmanship Competition in accordance with the Junior Showmanship Regulations.

To participate, the junior must live in the region and have won first place in three or more Open Classes in Junior Showmanship competition at AKC licensed or member Dog Shows. This includes licensed or member Specialty Shows as well as All-Breed Shows. The Junior must be at least 9 years of age at the time of each qualifying win. A Junior Handler who will be 18 years old or older on the date of the show may still compete, provided he or she was under 18 years of age on the date of the last win required to qualify.

The event locations and qualifying dates are as follows:

New England Region

The Farmington Valley Kennel Club will host its event on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

Qualifying Period: April 3, 2025 – April 4, 2026

Mid-East Region

The Gloucester Kennel Club of Virginia, in conjunction with the Virginia Kennel Club, will hold its

event on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Qualifying Period: March 20, 2025 – March 19, 2026

Southeast Region

The Greater Murfreesboro and Nashville Kennel Clubs will host their event on Saturday,

October 24, 2026.

Qualifying Period: July 24, 2025 – July 25, 2026

Great Lakes Region

The Waukesha Kennel Club event is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2026.

Qualifying Period: April 25, 2025 – April 24, 2026

Plains Region

The Nebraska Kennel Club will host its event on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Qualifying Period: February 16, 2025 – February 15, 2026South Central Region

The Mid-Del Tinker Kennel Club will hold its event on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Qualifying Period: February 27, 2025 – March 1, 2026

Northwest Region

The Greater Clark County Kennel Club event will take place on Saturday, November 28, 2026.

Qualifying Period: August 28, 2025 – August 27, 2026

Southwest Region

The Santa Barbara Kennel Club will host its event on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

Qualifying Period: May 22, 2025 – May 21, 2026

For more information regarding this new initiative, please visit www.akc.org or contact juniors@akc.org.

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Posted by Liz on Jan 16 2026. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.