Winners of the 2026 AKC Diving Dogs Team Challenge – American Kennel Club

The dock diving teams are going head to head! The AKC Diving Dogs Team Challenge has crowned its winner, after a thrilling bracket competition. Learn more about the event, part of AKC Celebrates USA 250, broadcast on ESPN on July 4. The event took place at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on June 6.

Dock Diving Teams

Each team was put together at random to represent a city, including Philadelphia, the home base for the competition. Members of the teams came from all over — not just these cities. Each team featured two Lap and four Open dogs, ranging from purebred to All-American Dogs.

Boston

Boston’s team was comprised of two Labrador Retrievers and two All-American Dogs: “Dublin” owned by Shea Vallen and “Sully” owned by Melinda Rhynes; “Mattie” owned by Aimee Algrim and “Saffron” owned by Rinn Siegrist. “Mirra” the Miniature American Shepherd was the team’s other Lap dog along with Mattie. “Ike” the Airedale Terrier was one of the teams’ Open dogs, owned by Candice McKing.

Chicago

Chicago’s two Lap dogs were Pembroke Welsh Corgi “Link” owned by Ashley Jellen and Cocker Spaniel “Tate” owned by Kelly Dolan. The Open dogs consisted of “Lyta” the Belgian Malinois owned by Marcella Ruhana, “Baxter” the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, “Bertha” the Chesapeake Bay Retriever owned by Katherine E Case, and “Juniper” the Golden Retriever owned by Patricia White.

Dallas

Dallas had two Golden Retrievers and two Labrador Retrievers on the team, making up the four Open dogs. Goldens “Shiner,” owned by Melinda Clark and “Milo,” owned by Victor Villalobos and Labs “Bayou,” owned by Christine Dewson and “Shelby,” owned by Debra Emery made up the Open dogs. All-American Dog “Bash,” owned by Katelyn Spooner and Boston Terrier “Yogi,” owned by Christine Kemper comprised the Lap dogs.

Los Angeles

Some uncommon agility dogs made up team Los Angeles, including breeds you don’t see every day, much less on the agility course. “Geronimo” the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, owned by Jenniger Rouse and “Mojo” the All-American Dog, owned by Joanna Weir, made up the teams’ Lap dogs. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier “Jameson,” owned by Jaime Borenstein, Dutch Shepherd “Brazen,” owned by Heather Suedkamp, Miniature American Shepherd “Riley” owned by Carrie Healy, and Labrador Retriever “Sophie,” owned by Luella Poplaski made up the teams’ Open dogs.

Nashville

More rare agility dogs came into the mix for team Nashville: Icelandic Sheepdog “Atlas,” owned by Megan Bishoff, one of the Lap dogs. The other Lap dog was Border Terrier “Wilson,” owned by MeganRai Ferguson. “Posey” the Belgian Malinois, owned by Katie Smith, “Remi” the German Shepherd Dog, owned by Shelby Dumond, “Wager” the Whippet owned by Sarah Maleski, and “Dublin” the Australian Shepherd owned by Kristina DeGiovanni made up the teams’ Open dogs.

New York

The New York team featured no two dogs of the same breed. “Atreyu” the Danish-Swedish Farmdog, owned by Dae Grodin, and “Sailor” the Russell Terrier, owned by Heather Gacho, were the teams’ Lap dogs. The Open dogs were as follows: “Kratos” the Belgian Malinois, owned by Matthew Bohn; “Misfit” the Whippet, owned by Lindsey Sharkey; “Manny” the Labrador Retriever, owned by Bryan Hay; “Lane” the German Shorthaired Pointer, owned by Alisha Tomac.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s two Lap dogs were both All-American Dogs: “Cannonball,” owned by Jessica Edgerly and “Logan,” owned by Guiliana Cucinelli. Their four Open dogs were “Pico” the Border Collie, owned by Jodi Weatherford; “Vern” the Labrador Retriever owned by Beckie Cizenski; “Anise” the Belgian Malinois owned by Rychelle Velasquez; “Rider” the Golden Retriever, owned by Hilary Lefko.

Washington D.C.

The Washington D.C. team was another that featured no two dogs of the same breed. The Lap dogs were Rat Terrier “Ace,” owned by Kit Fleming, and “Louie” the Parson Russell Terrier, owned by Jenny Orr. “Suzie” the All-American Dog, owned by Julie Beckerdite, “Rip” the Australian Shepherd owned by Sierra Barcroft, “Goose” the Whippet owned by Marilynn Willkom, and “Sanji” the Labrador Retriever owned by Gabby Knauer made up the Open dogs on the team.

Champions of the Pool

The winners of the AKC Diving Dogs Team Challenge were none other than team Philadelphia — in Philadelphia!

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.

The AKC Diving Dogs Team Challenge participants are making a splash! Catch all of the action on July 4th at 1pm ET on ESPN2!