Meet the 2022 AKC Agility Dog Premier Cup Champions

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has announced the winners of the 2022 AKC Agility Dog Premier Cup, which was held July 9, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. This means we get to talk about one of my very favorite things: sporty dogs doing sporty things.

If you're not familiar with the basic concept of agility competitions, here's your cliff's notes: Agility courses are basically obstacle courses with a number of different challenges—usually between 14 and 20—set up for dogs to make their way through. Jumps, ramps, weave poles, tunnels, tire jumps, seesaws, A-frames, and a pause table are all used in various combinations to create a course that dogs have to sprint through with their handler. Not only are dogs timed through their circuit, but judges keep a keen eye on the run and assign faults (penalties) based on weave poles skipped, ramp touch pad areas missed, or obstacles run out of order. Too many faults and the dog can be disqualified entirely.

RELATED: The Benefits of Dog Agility Training (and How to Get Started)

The pace is explosive and frantic and the connection between a dog and their handler is absolutely incredible to watch and listen to their communication. AKC calls agility "one of the fastest-growing canine sports in the United States," and if you've ever watched a clip on YouTube, it's easy to see why.

Dogs compete in categories by height, and the deserving winners are pictured and listed below. Don't miss encore broadcasts of the competition across ESPN networks (check your local listings for exact days and times).

Winner: Finn

Breed: Papillon

Handler: Jesse Westover

From: North Braddock, Pa.

Time: 36.314

Winner: Swindle

Breed: Shetland sheepdog

Handler: Abigail Beasley

From: Centerburg, Ohio

Time: 31.940

Winner: Lucky

Breed: Shetland sheepdog

Handler: Jennifer Crank

From: Pickerington, Ohio

Time: 36.375

Winner: Hallelujah

Breed: Border collie

Handler: Jessica Ajoux

From: Wyncote, Pa.

Time: 30.227

Winner: Wit

Breed: Border collie

Handler: Perry DeWitt

From: Wyncote, Pa.

Time: 31.992