USDAA Celebrates 40 Years and Announces 2026 Season
News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Betty Weibel
216-956-4034 / bw@yp-pr.com
Photos Available Upon Request
Plano, Texas—August 2025—In 2026 the United States Dog Agility Association® (USDAA®) will celebrate 40 years since the sport was introduced in the United States and agility enthusiasts began developing the framework for USDAA. The sport traces its beginning to Great Britain, where it was introduced at the Crufts Dog Show in 1978 and captured the interest of dog fanciers and fans, including USDAA founder Kenneth Tatsch.
In November 1986, Tatsch officially announced USDAA’s creation at the Gaines Obedience Classic in Houston, Texas. Over the years, USDAA has hosted numerous tournaments and demonstrations across the country and, as a charter member of the International Federation of Cynological Sports (IFCS), has helped to organize canine sports worldwide after the Olympic ideal.
“There have been remarkable transformations within the sport over these past 40 years, and there will be more to come,” said Tatsch. “All sports evolve, and dog agility is no different. Without a doubt, refinements in training and handling techniques have enabled competitors to ‘push the envelope,’ keeping the sport fresh and exciting.”
USDAA will kick off its 40th anniversary celebrations in 2026 and honor a history that has developed it into the world’s largest independent canine sports authority dedicated to promoting the sport of dog agility. The celebrations will last through the 2026 Cynosport Dog Agility World Games (which will return to the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, November 11-15, 2026) and include a full slate of regional championships across the country with the USDAA Tournament Series sponsored by Purina® Pro Plan®.
At the start of the 2024 tournament competition season Purina® Pro Plan® announced its exclusive title sponsorship of the USDAA tournament seasons running through 2026 for the four USDAA tournament series:
- Purina Pro Plan Grand Prix of Dog Agility®
- Purina Pro Plan Dog Agility Steeplechase®
- Purina Pro Plan Masters Challenge BiathlonSM
- Purina Pro Plan Dog Agility Masters®
“Purina Pro Plan is so excited to get involved in USDAA agility events at every level, from local clubs to regional championships and the year-end Cynosport® Dog Agility World Games. There is such a rich history with this organization bringing the sport to America and starting these tournaments. Dogs competing in agility are the top canine performers in the sport world, and we wanted to be involved in every tournament in the series,” said Scott Smith, Director, Breeder/Enthusiast Group at Purina Pro Plan.
The 2026 schedule includes:
- Wild West Regional, January 22-25, hosted by Good Dog Agility Club in Tucson, Arizona
- Sunshine Regional, March 6-8, hosted by Pals & Paws Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida
- South Central Regional, May 1-3, hosted by Dallas Agility Working Group (DAWG) in Greenville, Texas
- Rocky Mountain Regional, May 29-31, hosted by Bad Ass Agility in Kaysville, Utah
- Mid-Atlantic Regional, June 12-14, hosted by Keystone Agility Club in Barto, Pennsylvania
- Pacific Northwest Regional, June 19-21, hosted by Columbia Agility Team (CAT) in Salem, Oregon
- New England Regional, July 10-12, hosted by Riverside Canine Center in Kingstown, Rhode Island
- Southeast Regional, August 7-9, hosted by Sirius Dog Agility Training Center in Perry, Georgia
- North Central Regional, August 7-9, hosted by Canine Sports Zone in Middleton, Wisconsin
- Western Regional, September 5-7, hosted by The Bay Team in Prunedale, California
More information will become available on www.usdaa.com as the anniversary gets closer.
About agility
The exciting sport of dog agility showcases talented dogs performing against the clock over jumps and A-frames, through tunnels, weave poles and more. Easy for spectators to understand, the objective is to score the fastest time with the least penalties. Dogs of all breeds and sizes compete in various classes where obstacles are set based on the height and experience of the dog.
About USDAA
The United States Dog Agility Association Inc. (USDAA), the world’s largest independent authority for the sport of dog agility, has more than 50,000 registered competitors and more than 200 breeds of dogs, including mixed breeds. Credited with bringing the sport to North America in 1986, USDAA is dedicated to promoting dog agility as a recreational family sport that fosters responsible pet ownership.
Today, USDAA has over 100 groups conducting more than 500 live events annually. USDAA also offers hundreds of competition opportunities to dog owners at home through its virtual competition platform, USDAA@Home!SM.
USDAA is recognized the world over as a leader in the sport of dog agility and is a founding member of the International Federation of Cynological Sports, an international sports federation headquartered in Belgium. For more information, visit www.usdaa.com.
About Purina
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations.
Purina manufactures some of the world's most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Our more than 11,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. Nearly 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.
Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.
Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.
About Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan is a leader in the advanced nutrition category, with more than 140 targeted formulas to help your pet thrive throughout every stage of life. For more information, visit www.proplan.com or follow @ProPlan on X, Instagram or Facebook.
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