04/06/2025
No opening date has been set yet (sometime in May), but I will post as we get closer as it's 100% weather dependent. Picture of Otter so this post doesn't get lost and you can see how big he's getting 😊
I've had many questions over the off-season about competitions, so I thought I'd break it down for you. There are over a handful of organizations that hold events, however there are a few main ones in the Midwest area that I'd like to highlight. If you have more information or a correction to what's posted below, please drop a note in the comments. Please look into the rules and regulations of whatever organization(s) you're looking at before going to an event so you don't unknowingly break any rules.
1. North America Diving Dogs (NADD): CR Sundogs and KLIMB are the locations for these in Eastern Iowa. You do not need an AKC/UKC number to jump (you just won't be eligible for breed rankings), but you do need a NADD number, which is found on their website. Registration for their events tends to fill fast and is also through their site. Titles earned through NADD are able to be recorded on your dog's AKC registration and NADD is the only one that can.
2. Ultimate Air Dogs (UAD): these tend to be pop-up events in Iowa, like at Scheels. As with NADD, you just need a registration number to sign up for the events.
3. Pier Pups: mainly in Wisconsin. They sometimes run events in collaboration with NADD. I do not believe they have a registration number, but I'm not 100% sure on that. These events tend to be a little more laid back and are typically not at permanent docks.
4. Dock Dogs (DD): they require you to register your dog annually in order to sign up for events. Events within driving distance of here would be pop-up type events on mobile docks, however their "World Championship" is typically held in Dubuque in the fall.
5. Super Retriever Series (SRS): similar to NADD and UAD. Southtown K9 used to hold these events, so assuming they re-open this summer, there could be more of those events to enter. STK9 also did UKC diving, so that could happen again too (dog needs a UKC number).
Note that if an organization requires an AKC or UKC number, that doesn't mean the dog has to be purebred. Both organizations have a registry for mixed breeds and I know AKC will register purebreds without papers as well. The requirement is that they are spayed/neutered though.
