What does CPE stand for?
CPE is short for Canine Performance Events, the formal name of the organization that writes the rules, licenses clubs, trains judges, and records scores for its three dog sports.
The word “Performance” highlights the group’s focus on a dog’s natural abilities — running, jumping, hunting scent, and sprinting — rather than on breed standards or conformation. Whenever you see CPE printed on a trial premium, ribbon, or title certificate, it signals that the event follows the official Canine Performance Events rulebook and contributes directly to a dog’s lifetime points and titles within the CPE system.
Where CPE Began
Canine Performance Events started in Michigan in 1998 when a small group of agility handlers wanted courses that were fun for pets while still being safe and honest in judging. They wrote a slim rulebook, held a handful of trials in barns and fairgrounds, and mailed typed results to a central scorekeeper. Word of these low-pressure meets spread by phone tree and club newsletter. Within a year, clubs in Ohio and Illinois asked for licenses, and the sport continued to snowball from there.
How CPE Grew Into a National Force
By early 2000 the founders realized they needed a structured office, a uniform title ladder, and a trained judge corps. They drafted a clear advancement path labeled Levels 1 through 5, plus Championship (Level C). Then they opened a judge-apprentice pipeline that required mentorship, course reviews, and continuing education. These safeguards turned CPE from a casual weekend pastime into a respected multi-sport organization. Headquarters later moved to Florida, but the cooperative atmosphere stayed intact, drawing clubs in every US time zone and parts of Canada.
Three Dog Sports Under One Banner
CPE now sanctions three separate programs:
CPE Agility
Seven classes — Standard, Colors, Wildcard, Snooker, Jackpot, FullHouse, and Jumpers — offer everything from straightforward numbered courses to strategy-heavy games. Lower jump heights for Enthusiast and Specialist divisions invite older or less explosive dogs to play.Canine Scent Sport
Set up a decade after agility, this program mimics professional detection tasks yet keeps rules approachable. Searches include containers, interiors, exteriors, vehicles, and handler-discrimination articles. A four-level title ladder guides teams from basic birch searches to multi-odor puzzles.SpeedWay
A head-to-head sprint that feels like drag racing on paws. Dogs dash ninety feet in one lane, loop a barrel, and sprint sixty feet back. Electronic timers crown the fastest times and title thresholds reward drive as much as raw speed.
Each sport uses the same dog registration number, which makes entering multiple events seamlessly easy.
CPE Title Ladders and Point Tracking
CPE tracks Q-legs and points with an online portal. Agility titles climb through CL1, CL2, CL3, CL4, CL5, and C-ATCH (Champion). Scent Sport and SpeedWay have their own point grids, but each retains the same two-step theme: earn Qs at increasing levels, then collect a set number of extra points for top titles. Because scores accumulate gradually, any team can see weekly progress and celebrate mini-milestones.
What Sets CPE Apart from Other Dog Sport Venues
Accessible Courses – Generous time limits and forgiving lower levels help green dogs succeed early.
Fun-Heavy Games – Handlers choose paths in Colors and build point trips in FullHouse, so no two runs feel alike.
Smaller Rulebook – At roughly one-third the pages of some agility federations, CPE’s rule set is easy to learn.
All-Breed Welcome – Purebreds and mixed breeds stand equal on the start line.
Community Vibe – Trial days often open with group walk-throughs per level, allowing questions without pressure.
Getting Started in Five Simple Steps
Register Your Dog on the CPE website. The one-time fee generates a lifetime ID.
Read the Rulebook section for your chosen sport. Each PDF lives under the Documents tab.
Find a Host Club nearby. Most clubs hold monthly fun runs that mimic trial conditions.
Choose a Starting Level. Level 1 for brand-new dogs, Level 2 or 3 for dogs already skilled in other venues.
Enter Early. Premium lists open six to eight weeks out, and popular dates fill fast.
CPE began as a friendly alternative to higher-pressure venues and blossomed into one of the most welcoming dog-sport families in North America. Shorter jumps, novel game classes, and clear point charts invite everyone from spry puppies to veteran dogs to play safely and succeed often. If you long for a weekend hobby that offers fresh challenges without intimidating rule density, give CPE a try. Register your dog, find a local fun run, and enjoy that first Qualifying ribbon. The road from CL1 to C-ATCH and beyond is paved with camaraderie, high-fives, and plenty of wagging tails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. All breeds and mixes are welcome
Fifteen months for full-height agility, twelve months for lower Enthusiast heights, eight months for SpeedWay.
Level 1 Standard uses no weaves and generous time; most dogs qualify on their first or second run.
Yes. The CPE Nationals rotate regions each spring.
No food or toys inside the ring; reward outside once the run ends.
Yes. Advancement is optional; many senior dogs remain at beginner levels for comfort.
Move-ups occur only when you submit a Level Move form after meeting Q requirements.
