Some of the fastest dogs in the country dashed after the coveted “bunny” lure in a 100-yard Fast CAT dash at AKC Fastest Dogs USA, part of AKC Salutes the Troops. This multi-event celebration, in partnership with ESPN, celebrated canine athletes and the Army’s 250th anniversary in Georgia at the end of April and early May. AKC Fastest Dogs USA took place on May 1 at Fort Stewart, and was broadcast on ESPN2 on June 14th, which is also the day of the founding of the United States Army, and Flag Day.
The event also showcased the fastest members of some of America’s favorite breeds: Dachshunds, Belgian Malinois, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
See the 2025 winners below, as well as the Fastest Dogs USA winner from last year. Each dog ran the 100-yard dash twice, with the top five fastest running an additional heat to determine the winner.
Overall Winner
Call Name: Otto
Registered Name: Sr. Orions Onyx FCAT2 FITG
Breed: Greyhound
Owner: Cynthia Patterson
From: New York, NY
Runner-Up
Call Name: Goez
Registered Name: Quixandz 1up Blaster Master BCAT
Breed: Whippet
Owner: Michael Hattery
From: Woodstock, GA
Second Runner-Up
Call Name: Ginny
Registered Name: Vj Gi Jenny DCAT
Breed: Greyhound
Owner: Patricia A Rector
From: Derby, CT
Golden Split
Two Golden Retrievers happened to score the exact same time at this year’s event. Kathryn Reifsnyder’s Golden Retriever “Otis” Shady Grove’s Road Less Traveled FCAT STR and Robin Regina Setzer’s Golden Retriever “Romeo” Roselake’s Golden Romeo RI FDC CAA FCAT10 SWE DJ CGCA TKI ATT FTI, tied. Reifsynder and Otis are from Gibbstown, NJ, and Setzer and Romeo are from Winston Salem, NC.
Special Heat Winners
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Patterday’s Everyone Knew Her As Nancy OA AXJ NF BCAT CGC “Magill,” Pembroke Welsh Corgi, owned by Erin Day, from Saint Peters, MO.
Belgian Malinois
Valhalla’S Lullaby DCAT RATS CGC “Jameson,” Belgian Malinois, owned by Samantha Sciolino from Waterloo, NY.
Dachshund
FC Juniper Hill Brocade SE DCAT “Brosie,” Dachshund, owned by Dawn Poland from Longmont, CO.
How Does Fast CAT Work?
Fast CAT is a timed straight race of 100 yards where one dog runs at a time chasing a lure. It’s fast, and exciting, and you will see hair flying in the wind. The time to complete is recorded and the 100-yard dash is converted into MPHs. A handicap system that is based on the height of the dog is applied to a dog’s MPH to determine the number of points earned.
If your dog loves running and chasing, they will likely love Fast CAT. To get started call or visit your a local AKC club and see if they offer one or both of the two types of tests: Lure Coursing or the Coursing Ability Test. From there, you can truly see how fast you dog runs for some serious bragging rights.
Tune in to Fastest Dogs USA, an AKC and ESPN production! Watch on ESPN2 on June 14 at 1:30 p.m. ET to see the country’s speediest canines gather for this invitation-only event. Dogs of all breeds participate year-long, around the country, in AKC Fast Coursing Ability Tests (Fast CAT) – the 100-yard dash for dogs.