The American Kennel Club hosted its seventh AKC Fast CAT Invitational. Over the span of four days, dogs competed to determine who was the fastest dog in two divisions: Pure Speed and Speed of the Breed. The event was held at the Sycamore Creek Family Ranch in Branson, Missouri, from September 18-21.

The top five fastest dogs of each breed were invited to compete in the Fast CAT Invitational, based on AKC Fast Coursing Ability Tests (Fast CAT).

Pure Speed – HCP 1 Placements

Champion

The winner of the HCP 1 divison was Greyhound “Fritz,” Fritsch FCAT6, owned by David Nevius and Chris Kronick. Fritz’s fastest time was 5.675 seconds with a speed of 36.04 mph. Fritz was one of four Greyhounds competing.

Second Place

The HCP 1 runner up was Whippet “Newt,” TCS Mr. Scamander CAA FCAT, owned by Kimberly Salem. Newt ran a time of 5.745 seconds with a speed of 35.60 mph. Newt was the sole Whippet competing in the Invitational.

Third Place

In third place in HCP, Greyhound “Pippin,” Danny’S Moll FCAT, ran a time of 5.763. Owned by Elizabeth and Dave Williams, Pippin’s fastest speed was 35.49 mph.

Fourth Place

In fourth place was All American Dog (L) “Mighty” Mc’s Dyn-O-Mite FCAT, owned by Carrie Vosburg and Justin Daniel. Mighty ran a best time of 6.284 seconds and a fastest time of 32.55 mph.

Fifth Place

“Trevor” Gim’s Treacle FCAT2 the All American Dog (L) came in fifth place. Trevor, owned by Katrina Toshach, ran a fastest speed of 32.23 mph and fastest time of 6.346 seconds.

Sixth Place

Borzoi “Cinder Bell” FC Kalmykova Three Broomsticks And The Leaky Cauldron SC CAA BCAT, owned by Catherine Estes and Maurita Pilla, came in sixth place. Cinder Bell had a best time of 6.486 seconds and fastest speed of 29.89 mph.

Seventh Place

Another Borzoi came in behind Cinder Bell: “Bud” RunTuff Killer Cupcake CD BN RI FDC JC DCAT CGCA CGCU TKN VSWB FTI, owned by Linda Beisswenger. Bud ran a fastest speed of 29.89 mph and a fastest time of 6.843 seconds.

Eighth Place

In eighth place was Belgian Malinois “Kat” Blackout’S Belgian Has Nine Lives FCAT3 DDU CGC, owned by Ashley Brezina. Kat ran a best time of 6.886 seconds and a fastest speed of 29.70 mph. Kat was one of 10 Belgian Malinois competing.

Ninth Place

“Antar” CH Eden’s KT Morocco’s Golden Merzouga sm JC FCAT3 the Saluki came in ninth place. Antar, owned by Celeste Johnson, ran a best time of 6.9 seconds and a fastest speed of 29.64 mph. Johnson also ran another Saluki, CH Eden’s KT Marrakech Express JC FCAT2. There were 10 total representatives of the breed.

Tenth Place

And in tenth place, another Belgian Malinois: “Drama” Drama Llama Von Siefferthaus CAA FCAT2 CGCA, owned by Geneva Fain and Robin Delaine Sullivan, ran a best time of 6.957 seconds and fastest speed of 29.40 mph.

Pure Speed – HCP 1.5 Placements

Champion

The winner of the HCP 1.5 division was All American Dog “Summit,” Sincity’S Social Climber FDC CA FCAT2, owned by Gordon Kane and Lori Lagasse. Summit’s best time was 6.565 seconds with a speed of 31.16 mph. 15 All American Dogs competed, divided by size: Small, Medium, and Large.

Second Place

The first runner up was All American Dog “Bestie,” Sincity’S My Bff FCAT2, owned by Pamela Martin. Bestie ran a time of 6.652 seconds with a speed of 30.75 mph.

Third Place

The second runner up was Australian Cattle Dog “Rose,” Rose Of Earl CA FCAT13 SWN DE DMA FITB FTI, owned by Heather Santella. Rose ran a time of 7.112 seconds with a speed of 28.76 mph. Rose was one of seven Australian Cattle Dogs competing.

Fourth Place

Miniature American Shepherd “Dottie” Dugger Mtn’s Red Dot Ace MX MXB MXJ MJB XF T2B CA FCAT, owned by Jennifer Young, came in fourth place. Dottie ran a best time of 7.413 seconds and 27.59 mph.

Fifth Place

Mudi “Hades” Szomoru Fuz Sajo Hades DCAT TKP VHMA VHMP FITG came in fifth with a time of 7.619 seconds. Hades, owned by Erica Gundlach, ran a fastest speed of 26.86 mph.

Sixth Place

Italian Greyhound “Pink” Divine’s Tickle Me Pink FCAT4 ACT2 ACT2J SWAE SWE SCM SEM SHDN TKI ATT FTI ran a fastest speed of 26.66 mph to solidify sixth place. Pink, owned by Carol Wyatt and Deborah Maicach, ran a best time of 7.672 seconds.

Seventh Place

“Falcon” Everwind Fly High Like A Falcon OA OAJ OF CA FCAT CGC TKN the English Cocker Spaniel came in seventh. Falcon, owned by Jessica Sexton, ran a time of 7.722 seconds with a fastest speed of 26.49 mph.

Eighth Place

In eighth place was Basenji “Axl” CH Bellator’s Welcome To The Jungle DCAT TKN FITS. Axl, owned by Karen and Brett Culver, had a best time of 7.742 seconds and fastest speed of 26.42 mph.

Ninth Place

Another Basenji, “Meiki” Moto-San Sinbaje’s Joyous Jewel RN SC FCAT SWNE SWE SCM TKE FITG, owned by Alyce Sumita, Glenn Fukama, and Linda Siekert, came in ninth. Meiki ran a best time of 7.782 seconds and fastest speed of 26.28 mph.

Tenth Place

Rounding out the HCP 1.5 placements is Pumi “Martha” GCHB CH Catskill Meses Masni FCAT2 DS DJ with a time of 7.796 seconds. Martha, owned by Donna Fairbairn and Ildiko Repasi, ran a fastest speed of 26.24 mph.

HCP 2 Placements

Champion

The winner of the HCP 2 division was All American Dog (S) “Zachary,” George’s Zachary FCAT, owned by Ronald George. Zachary’s fastest run was 24.12 mph with a time of 8.481 seconds.

Second Place

The HCP 2 runner-up was Pembroke Welsh Corgi “Magill,” Patterday’s Everyone Knew Her As Nancy RA MX MXJ MXP MJP MXF FCAT CGC, owned by Erin Day and JoAnn Patterson. Magill’s fastest run was 24.08 mph with a time of 8.496 seconds. Nine Pembrokes competed in the Invitational in total.

Third Place

The second runner up in the HCP 2 divison was Rat Terrier (S) “Halo,” Stone’s Halo On Button’s Angel FCAT SBA SCN SIN TKP ATT, owned by Allison Stone. Halo’s fastest run was 23.32 mph with a time of 8.77 seconds. Halo was one of five Rat Terriers competing.

Fourth Place

In fourth place was Rat Terrier (S) “Raegan,” Meraki Heaven Sent A Little Rae Of Sunshine FCAT3 RATN FITS, owned by Donna and Wayne Grimm. Raegan’s fastest speed was 23.19 mph with a time of 8.821 seconds.

Fifth Place

Schipperke “Kayce” Coco Jacks Kayce Bear AX MXJ OF FCAT7 DJ CGC TKN FTN took home fifth place in the HCP 2 placements. Kayce, owned by Sherry Point and Sheryl Meyer, ran a best time of 8.823 seconds with a fastest speed of 23.18 mph.

Sixth Place

“Brindi” Miss Brindi Brindle FCAT16 FITB the All American Dog (S) took home sixth place. Brindi, owned by Evette and Ted Danielak, ran a best time of 8.896 seconds and a fastest speed of 22.99 mph.

Seventh Place

French Bulldog “Winston Bolt,” Winston Bolt FCAT2, owned by Braden Frederick, came in seventh. Winston Bolt’s fastest time was 8.998 seconds with a fastest speed of 22.73 mph.

Eighth Place

In eighth place in the HCP 2 division was “Nissa” MACH Witchinghour Broom Racer MXS MJB FCAT11 the Papillon, owned by Angela Cergnul and Marco Giavoni. Nissa ran a fastest time of 9.121 seconds and 22.43 mph.

Ninth Place

Poodle (S) “HeyBoo” Atypical May The Best Monster Win BCAT CGC came in ninth. HeyBoo, owned by Hannah Gilmore and Michelle McKee, ran a best time of 9.36 seconds and fastest speed of 21.85 mph.

Tenth Place

Rounding out the HCP 2 placements was Chihuahua“Beetle” MACH2 Dancing To A Different BeetBox MXS MJG MFB TQX T2B3 FCAT5 SWA SCE SEE SBE TKI, owned by Carrie Griffen-Yakush. Beetle ran a best time of 9.379 seconds at 21.81 mph.

Speed of the Breed Division

Dogs that ran in the Speed of Breed Division ran against other dogs of the same breed. Their runs were compared with the average to the breed. In this division, the top 10 fastest dogs competed to see who had the fastest average speed for their breed. The number one dog in this division was crowned 2026 Speed of Breed Champion.

Speed of the Breeds Champion

The winner of the Speed of Breeds Division was “Artie” the Biewer Terrier, owned by Kathleen Miles. Artie, Orbit Three Two One Blastoff Artemis RI DCAT CGC, bested five other Biewer Terriers with a best run of 21.124135 mph. With an SOB of 27.48%, Artie was crowned the Speed of Breed Champion.

Second Place

Pomeranian “Rocky” ran a fastest run of 20.102703 mph. Rocky is owned by Kathleen Bouressa, and was 26.19% SOB. Rocky, Rocky Point BCAT STR FITB, was one of six Pomeranians competing.

Third Place

“Beetle” the Chihuahua, owned by Carrie Griffen-Yakush. Beetle’s fastest run was 21.808828 mph, and was 26.14% in SOB. Beetle, MACH2 Dancing To A Different BeetBox MXS MJG MFB TQX T2B3 FCAT5 SWA SCE SEE SBE TKI, was one of six competing Chihuahuas.

Fourth Place

“Grace,” CH Rocking Oaks Admiral Hopper RI FCAT2 CGC TKN ATT VHMP FITS, a Mastiff owned by Debbie Wolfe, Ross Brensinger, and Tara Gray, came in fourth place. Grace was one of TK Mastiffs, and ran a fastest speed of 22.325366 mph, with an SOB of 26.06%.

Fifth Place

Black and Tan Coonhound “Nori” Crossco’s Nori Of The Sea RN CA BCAT CGC, one of 10 Black and Tans, ran a fastest speed of 24.617282 mph. Nori, owned by Amanda and Derek Brimmer, had an SOB of 25.79%.

Sixth Place

“Cali,” Calista Skye Macpherson Clark FCAT CGC, the Scottish Terrier, came in sixth place. The Terrier, owned by Harvey and Katherine Clark, ran a fastest run of 19.233192 mph with a SOB of 25.22%.

Seventh Place

Yorkshire Terrier “Toby,” Mackies Brighter Days Blessing DCAT, ran a fastest speed of 20.55109 mph to solidify his spot in seventh place. Toby is owned by Donalyn Branham, and had a SOB of 24.78%.

Eighth Place

“Louie” Louie Wonder Pom NA NF FCAT3 ACT1 ACT1J the Pomeranian took eighth place in Speed of Breeds. The Pom’s fastest speed was 19.816412 mph, with a SOB of 24.20%. Louie is owned by Amanda Rivera.

Ninth Place

In ninth place for Speed of Breeds was Silky Terrier “Bucky,” Tessier Wyntuk Even Money DCAT. Bucky, owned by Harriet Beasley, had a fastest speed of 20.152217 mph, and a SOB of 23.71%.

Tenth Place

Pug “Franklin” Frankly My Bear FCAT2 rounded out Speed of Breeds placements in tenth place. Franklin is owned by Natalie Simmons, and ran a fastest speed of 20.429984 mph with a SOB of 22.85%.