The AKC Fetch Program is one of the newest additions to the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Family Dog Program, providing a structured way to turn the beloved game of fetch into an official titling event dog sport. Fetch has long been a favorite pastime for dog owners and their pets, but with this initiative, it becomes a formalized training activity that allows dogs to showcase their retrieving abilities while earning recognized AKC titles.
The development of AKC Fetch Program spanned over a year, with AKC experts designing a system that gradually increases in difficulty across multiple levels. The program was carefully structured to ensure accessibility for all dogs—whether purebred or mixed breed—and to create a fun, noncompetitive way for owners to bond with their dogs while engaging in physical and mental enrichment.
From the initial concept to the first official title trials, the launch of the AKC Fetch Program followed a structured timeline. Below, we explore the key milestones that led to the program’s successful rollout and how it is expected to expand in the future.
Development Timeline & Key Milestones Of AKC Fetch Program
Early Concept and Program Design
The idea for AKC Fetch Program originated within the AKC Family Dog team, who sought to introduce new activities that would appeal to pet owners looking for structured but fun training options. Recognizing that fetch is already one of the most popular ways dogs and owners interact, AKC saw an opportunity to develop a titling program centered around retrieving skills.
In early 2023, AKC experts began formulating the rules and requirements for a retrieving-based title system. They designed a progressive challenge across four levels—Fetch Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Retriever—to test dogs’ ability to complete increasingly complex retrieving exercises. The program was structured to ensure that any dog, regardless of breed, could participate and succeed.
As part of the development process, AKC created official guidelines for setting up Fetch courses, testing criteria, and judging standards. These guidelines helped establish consistency and fairness across all Fetch trials while maintaining the focus on enjoyment and skill development.
October 2023 – Public Announcement of the AKC Fetch Program
In October 2023, the AKC officially introduced the AKC Fetch Program to the public through its website and promotional materials. The announcement included an overview of the program, test requirements, and an introduction to the titling structure.
Along with this announcement, the AKC released educational resources such as:
- Step-by-step guides on setting up Fetch courses
- Instructions for clubs interested in hosting Fetch trials
- An overview of the different title levels and their requirements
At this stage, the program was in a soft launch phase, meaning that while the materials were available, no official trials had yet been conducted. The goal of this phase was to build awareness and encourage clubs, trainers, and owners to begin preparing for upcoming events.
To generate interest, the AKC encouraged dog trainers and clubs to host practice sessions so that dog-and-handler teams could familiarize themselves with the rules. This approach helped ensure that when official trials began, participants would already have a foundational understanding of what was expected.
December 4, 2023 – Judge Training Becomes Available
A critical step in rolling out the program was training qualified judges to evaluate Fetch tests. On December 4, 2023, the AKC launched an online course through AKC Canine College, allowing individuals to become certified AKC Fetch Program judges.
Prospective judges included experienced dog trainers, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluators, and other dog sports professionals who had prior experience evaluating obedience, performance, or training-based tests. The training course covered:
- The official rules and structure of the AKC Fetch Program
- How to properly score and evaluate a dog’s performance
- Best practices for setting up fair and consistent testing environments
To become an approved AKC Fetch judge, participants had to complete the online course and pass an exam. This step was essential to ensuring that all Fetch trials were judged accurately and consistently, laying the foundation for the program’s credibility.
January 2, 2024 – Clubs Begin Applying to Host Events
With judges in place, the next step was allowing AKC-affiliated clubs and organizations to apply to host Fetch trials. As of January 2, 2024, the AKC began accepting applications from clubs interested in running official Fetch tests.
At this stage, AKC Fetch Program became an officially sanctioned AKC event, similar to obedience trials and agility competitions. Hosting organizations had to meet specific requirements, including:
- Having an AKC-approved Fetch judge present at each test
- Following the official AKC Fetch testing structure
- Ensuring fair conditions and proper documentation of results
Because the AKC Fetch Program required dogs to progress through the titles sequentially, the AKC recommended that early events focus primarily on Fetch Novice (FTN) tests, allowing all participants to start at the first level.
Additionally, event applications needed to be submitted at least one month in advance, giving AKC time to approve and promote the tests.
February 2, 2024 – First Official Fetch Titles Earned
The first AKC Fetch trials took place in February 2024, marking the program’s official launch. On February 2, 2024, participating clubs began holding sanctioned Fetch trials where dog-and-handler teams could attempt to earn their first titles.
As the first Novice-level tests were completed, the program was tested in real-world conditions, allowing AKC to ensure that the rules and evaluation system worked as intended.
Dogs that successfully completed two Novice Fetch tests under different judges were awarded the Fetch Novice (FTN) title, making them the first official titleholders in the program. With these early successes, more clubs and participants began signing up, leading to increased demand for Fetch trials across the country.
Ongoing Growth and Future Expansion Of AKC Fetch Program
Since its launch, the AKC Fetch Program has continued to evolve. AKC has provided additional resources, including:
- A detailed Judges and Participants Guide
- Instructional videos on how to train for Fetch titles
- An updated events calendar for upcoming Fetch trials
As awareness of the program grows, more clubs are beginning to include Fetch trials in their event schedules. Over time, participation in higher-level tests (Intermediate, Advanced, and Retriever) is expected to increase, as more dogs earn their Novice titles and move up through the ranks.
AKC has also hinted at future program developments, such as potential adjustments to testing guidelines, additional training resources, and broader promotional efforts to introduce Fetch to more dog owners nationwide.
With a well-structured rollout and strong engagement from the dog training community, AKC Fetch has quickly transitioned from a concept into an official AKC event, offering a fun, structured, and rewarding way for owners and dogs to enjoy the game of fetch while earning official titles.
The AKC Fetch Program has rapidly gained popularity since its introduction, offering a structured but fun way for dogs to demonstrate their retrieving skills. Through careful planning and a phased rollout, the AKC ensured that the program launched smoothly, from early concept development to the first official trials in 2024.
With clear rules, qualified judges, and growing participation, Fetch is set to become a widely recognized event in the world of AKC dog sports. As more clubs host trials and more dogs earn titles, the program is expected to expand and evolve, providing an exciting opportunity for all dog owners—regardless of experience level or breed.
For those looking to get started, now is the perfect time to train, participate, and become part of the Fetch community.
