The 20th annual AKC Agility Invitational saw some of the most agile dogs in the country. The competition took place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on December 13 and 14 as part of the 25th annual AKC National Championship week, presented by Royal Canin
Agility winners were crowned in different height divisions: 8 inch, 12 inch, 16 inch, 20 inch, and 24 inch. A total of 718 dogs raced around predetermined obstacle courses and work with their handler to navigate the course the fastest without fault. The dogs with the fastest, cleanest runs, were the winners in their height divisions.
8-Inch Regular/Preferred Division Winners
First Place
The 8-inch division in the lowest height division in agility. This year, 11-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel “Dot” and handler Antonia Rotelle took home first place. Dot, AGCH MACH32 PACH5 Kayangee Dorothy Parker MXB9 PDS MJG10 PJS MXP15 MXPS2 MJP19 MJPG2 PAX5 MFG TQX T2B6 CGC, and Rotelle of Dover, PA, scored a total of 100 points with a time of 37.163 seconds.
This is Dot’s third time winning the 8-inch division. “It feels amazing to win. She’s almost 12 years old,” Rotelle says. “As long as she wants to run, she will run.”
Second Place
In second place in the 8-inch division was nine-year-old Chihuahua “Zoot” handled by Brenda Landis. Landis and Zoot, MACH3 PACH3 Rossmoyne’s Little Red Zoot RN MXC MJB2 PJD MXP10 MXPC MJP10 MJPC PAX3 MFS TQX T2B3 TKN, are from Lewisberry, PA. The team scored 100 points and ran a time of 38.189 seconds.
Third Place
“Epi” (MACH6 Epi’s Rapid Response MXS2 PDS MJS2 PJS MFS TQX T2B5 SWE) the six-year-old Miniature American Shepherd and handler Terri Wyman took home third in the 8-inch division. The Dayton, OH team scored a total of 100 points, and ran the course in 38.765 seconds.
Fourth Place
West Highland White Terrier “Mellow” and Susan Chapman came in fourth place. Six-year-old Mellow, GCH CH AGCH MACH5 Celestial Blue Peace And Harmony BN RA MXG2 PDS MJG2 PJG MFC TQX T2B7 MXE SXE2 EE FCAT2 SWN SCE SIA SBA CGC TKI, and Chapman are from Oak Lawn, Illinois. The team ran a clean run in the 8-inch division with a score of 100 and a time of 39.279 seconds.
12-Inch Regular/Preferred Division Winners
First Place
Coming in first place in the 12-inch division was three-year-old Shetland Sheepdog “SuperStar” and Abigail Beasley. Superstar, MACH Apex Dream Impossible Things MXS MJS and Beasley are from Centerburg, OH. The team scored a total of 100 points and ran a time of 29.736 seconds.
“I never thought I would come to this event – it’s so hard to qualify for it. But this year, I decided to try,” Beasley says. SuperStar is fairly new to the sport, but Beasley has been competing since she was eight years old. “[SuperStar]’s incredible and we made it, and to make it to the finals is just the icing on top. But to win? It’s just a dream come true.”
Second Place
Miniature American Shepherd “Rose” and Jeri Frye came in second place in the 12-inch division. Four-year-old Rose (MACH3 Crimson’s Run for the Roses RI MXC MJC XF BCAT TKN) and Frye are from Warrenton, MO. The team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 33.378 seconds.
Third Place
In third place in the 12-inch division was seven-year-old Poodle “Benni” and Sandra Mainardi. Benni (CH MACH5 Logos Benecio Joie De Vivre CDX BN MXB2 MJS2 NF BCAT CGC TKA) and Mainardi are from Lincoln Park, NJ. They ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 34.473 seconds.
Fourth Place
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel “Dutch” and Antonia Rotelle came in fourth place in the 12-inch division. Five-year-old Dutch (AGCH MACH13 Daisylane American Pie MXG4 PDS MJC4 PJS MFG TQX T2B5 BCAT) and Rotelle are from Dover, PA. The team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 35.361. Rotelle also took home first place in the 8-inch division.
16-Inch Regular/Preferred Division Winners
First Place
The dog and handler team that came in first place in the 16-Inch division at the 2025 AKC Agility Invitational was Pumi “Xuby” AGCH MACH7 Abiqua Pompas MXS3 PDS MJB3 PJS MFC TQX T2B8 ACT2 TKN, and handler Kathie Ogden. The San Marcos, CA team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 34.794 seconds.
The team competed last year, coming in fourth place in the 16-inch division. Xuby has been doing agility with Ogden for seven years. “I’ve been doing it for 15 years,” Ogden says. “I’ve made it to finals, but I’ve never won first. The people are wonderful, and it’s awesome to be in this community.”
Second Place
In second place in the 16-inch division was English Springer Spaniel “Fern” and handler Jenny Kroll. Fern (AGCH MACH18 Merfey’s Meadow of Ferns CD RA MXS5 PDS MJS5 PJS MFG TQX T2B5 BCAT RATO CGC) is eight years old. The Lawrenceburg, IN team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 37.861 seconds.
Third Place
Manchester Terrier “Kipsey” and Inez Pennington came in third place in the 16-inch division. Kipsey (MACH4 Mosaic’s Whirlaway CD BN RI MXC MJC MXF T2B BCAT CGC TKA) is eight years old. The Lees Summit, MO team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 38.114 seconds.
Fourth Place
Six-year-old Brittany “Cadi” (CD BN RI MXC MJC MXF T2B BCAT CGC TKA MXC2 MJS3 XF T2B2 DCAT DS) and Terry Santelli came in fourth place. The West Chicago, IL team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 38.378 seconds.
20-Inch Regular/Preferred Division Winners
First Place
In first place in the 20-Inch division at the 2025 AKC Agility Invitational was Working Kelpie “Nunee” MACH Moohollow Nunee (Australia) MXB MJS PJD MXF, handled by Diane Bauman. The Chuckey, TN team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 35.859 seconds.
“We’re quite excited and very surprised,” Bauman says. “I’ve been doing agility about 30 years. It’s a lot of fun and it really proves that your training technics are holding up under pressure.”
Second Place
In second place in the 20-inch division was Australian Cattle Dog “Cady” and Helen Springut. Cady (MXC2 MJS3 XF T2B2 DCAT DS UD OM1 BN RE HT MXB3 PDS MJB3 PJS MFG TQX T2B5 BCAT SWE SCM SEM SBM SHDM CGC) is eight years old. The North Salem, NY team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 36.547 seconds.
Third Place
Golden Retriever “Bounce” and Lois Williams came in third place in the 20-inch division. Bounce (AGCH2 MACH32 PACH2 Watermark’s Good Vibrations MXC8 PDC MJC9 PJC MXP5 MXPS MJP6 MJPS PAX2 MFB3 TQX T2B11) is 12 years old. The Houston, TX team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 41.337 seconds.
Fourth Place
Australian Shepherd “Kaiden” and Christine Armbrust came in fourth place. Kaiden (AGCH2 MACH8 Mtn Mist Courageous Kaiden FDC MXG3 PDC MJS3 PJC MFG2 TQX T2B11 CGCA) is eight years old. The Galena, OH team ran scored a total of 95 points with a time of 34.277 seconds.
24-Inch Regular/Preferred Division Winners
First Place
The winner of the 24-Inch division at the 2025 AKC Agility Invitational was six-year-old German Shepherd Dog “Cinder” AGCH2 PACH19 Dark Side Cinderella MXP45 MXPS5 PDBP2 MJP46 MJPS5 PJBP2 PAX19 MFPG2 TQXP T2BP12, handled by Joe Sheridan. The Overland Park, KS team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 37.771 seconds.
Sheridan and Cinder came in third place in the 24-inch division in 2024. “This is the third time we’ve been here, and it feels good to come home a winner,” Sheridan says.
Second Place
In second place in the 24-inch division was Chesapeake Bay Retriever “Leonidas” and Thomas Martin. Leonidas (GCH CH PACH8 Curly’s One For Sparta BN RN MH MXP17 MXPG2 PADP MJP18 MJPG2 PAX8 OFP T2BP BCAT DS CGC TKN) is nine years old. The Davison, MI team scored a total of 100 points with a time of 47.876 seconds.
Third Place
Dalmatian “Mark” and Mary Moore placed third in the 24-inch division. Mark (CH PACH7 Fiacre N Proctor Marks the Nu Spot MXP20 MXPC2 MJP20 MJPC2 PAX7 SWA SCM SIE SEE) is six years old. The Vallejo, CA team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 48.769 seconds.
Fourth Place
Flat-Coated Retriever “Zimmy” and Ann Decker came in fourth place. Zimmy (AGCH MACH11 Wingmaster Viking MN Miracle CDX SH MXG3 PDS MJG3 PJG MFC TQX T2B6) is eight years old. The Hampton, MN team ran a clean run with a score of 100 and a time of 48.971 seconds.
The AKC National Championship, presented by Royal Canin, has crowned its 2025 Best in Show! Learn more about conformation and follow your favorite breeds at dog shows throughout the year.