How to Watch the 2026 Diving Dogs Team Challenge – American Kennel Club

What’s going to work? Dock diving teamwork! The AKC Diving Dogs Team Challenge

Dogs are making a splash in this year’s AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup, held in Temecula, California, on March 20. This fast action competition is exciting to watch as dogs fling themselves into the water, chasing after their favorite toy. Catch the action on ESPN2 on May 3!

Held in collaboration with North American Diving Dogs, dogs from across the country competed in Distance and Air Retrieve, with the top three in each receiving prize money.

The Diving Dogs Team Challenge Rundown

This head-to-head competition allows dog-handler teams to compete with one another against other teams. Eight teams will be competing, with six dogs on each team. There are four Distance dogs and two Air Retrieve dogs per team. The preliminary rounds consist of 48 total jumps.

Then, seven matchups with three jumps each will make up the 21 knockout rounds to make up the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals and declare the winning team. This single elimination bracket in each finals round includes two Distance dogs and one Air Retrieve dog per team.

What Is Distance?

In Distance, dogs compete for the farthest jump, which is measured from the end of the dock to the base of the dog’s tail when it breaks water.

What Is Air Retrieve?

In Air Retrieve, each dog tries to jump off the dock and knock a bumper off an apparatus. The bumper is suspended above the water and centered across the width of the dock, at a set distance from the edge. After a successful attempt, the apparatus is moved one foot farther. Each dog has two chances at each distance.

How to Watch AKC Diving Dogs Team Challenge

You can watch the AKC Diving Dogs Team Challenge on ESPN! Signing in on any device and check back for updated broadcast information. On the day of the event, check AKC.tv  on your device of choice to watch the livestream of the event!

How Does Dock Diving Work?

While the competition is entertaining to watch, you may be wondering how Diving Dogs works aside from dogs jumping into the water. Like other dog sports, there are rules that determine who wins and why.

The goal is simple enough: Have the longest jump possible. Competitors wait on a 40-foot dock before they run and launch themselves off the end to get their favorite toy that their owners tossed in.

Diving Dog teams are comprised of only one dog and one handler, with occasionally one additional handler to help restrain the dog. A handler may use one or two toys to help encourage the dog to jump into the water.

Want to Get Started in Diving Dogs?

If you think your dog would love competing, chances are you’re probably right! This sport is great for energetic, water-loving dogs.

Like many dog sports, all dogs, including mixed breeds (6 months and older), are eligible to compete in Diving Dogs (except females in season). Titles earned through North America Diving Dogs (NADD) will be recognized by The American Kennel Club. To apply, simply complete the Title Application.

For more information about Diving Dogs and getting involved in your local area, visit NADD. There, you can learn more about Diving Dogs events in your area, diving facilities, and how to train your dog.