Meet the 2025 AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup Winners
The 2025 AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup, presented by Cosequin, was held in collaboration with North American Diving Dogs on April 5 at the Mississippi State University Campus in Starkville, MS. Dogs competed in Distance and Air Retrieve with a winner crowned in each subdivision. The competition aired on ESPN, and champions were announced for each discipline. See the 2025 AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup winners below!
AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup Distance Division
In Distance, dogs competed 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. In this year’s competition, Distance was separated into three subdivisions: Distance Lap, Distance Senior Master, and Distance Elite Premier.
Distance – Lap Winners
Winner
Call Name: Adios
Breed: All-American Dog
Handler: Christy Hiles
Age: 11 years old
Second Place
Call Name: Tate
Breed: Cocker Spaniel
Handler: Kelly Dolan
From: Houston, Texas
Age: 4 years old
Third Place
Call Name: Havok
Breed: All-American Dog
Handler(s): Kylie Steele
From: Buckeye, Arizona
Age: 1 year old
Distance – Senior Master Winners
Winner
Call Name: Whiskey
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Handler: Kevin Zondlak
Age: 1 year old
Second Place
Call Name: Isabella
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Handler: Ashley Hughes
From: Memphis, Tennessee
Age: 5 years old
Third Place
Call Name: Hazel
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Handler: Jessica Kulak
From: Buffalo, New York
Age: 5 years old
Distance – Elite Premier Winners
Winner
Call Name: Bobo
Breed: Whippet
Handler: Maggie Chen
From: Oak Point, Texas
Age: 5 years old
Second Place
Call Name: Strike
Breed: Australian Shepherd
Handler: Brittany Fox
From: New Iberia, Louisiana
Age: 4 years old
Third Place
Call Name: Poppy
Breed: All-American Dog
Handler: Heather Rothwell
From: Lubbock, Texas
Age: 4 years old
AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup Air Retrieve Division
In Air Retrieve, dogs competed to knock a bumper of an apparatus, which hangs at the middle of the dock’s width at the farthest distance. The rig moved out in one-foot increments and each dog had two attempts. This year, Air Retriever had two subdivisons: Lap and Open.
Air Retriever – Lap Winners
Winner
Call Name: BoomBoom
Breed: All-American Dog
Handler: Laura O’Donnell
From: Mars, Pennsylvania
Age: 7 years old
Second Place
Call Name: Ruby
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Handler: Megan McCoy
From: Thomasville, Georgia
Age: 5 years old
Third Place
Call Name: Remie
Breed: All-American Dog
Handler: Brandie Thrash
From: Tomball, Texa
Age: 3 years old
Air Retriever – Open Winners
Winner
Call Name: Akuma
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Handler: Zachariah Karr
From: Glenview, Illinois
Age: 3 years old
Second Place
Call Name: Riot
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Handler(s): Logan Boyle
Age: 4 years old
Third Place
Call Name: Shiner
Breed: Golden Retriever
Handler: Melinda Clark
Age: 2 years old
Get Started in Dock Diving
If the AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup seems intriguing and you have a dog that loves water, you’re already one step closer to competing yourself.
Like many dog sports, all dogs over 6 months, including mixed breeds, are eligible to compete in Diving Dogs (other than 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.
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