What Is The Challenge
The Dogs Can Dance Challenge® embraces and expands upon the musical canine freestyle world by offering titling opportunities, not competition. Each performance earns points toward the division title of their choice. A handler may register an individual dog or an entire team of dogs as their freestyle partner. All handlers will pass the Entry Level, demonstrating the skills necessary to succeed in the Challenge. Comments and scoring by a panel of five judges encourages growth and education with each performance. There is a place for you within the Dogs Can Dance Challenge®
Titles and Divisions
Entry Level
The goal of the Entry level is to introduce the handler to the expectations of the skill level needed to perform a successful musical canine freestyle performance. The entry level tests the handler’s basic training foundation in the sport. All handlers will pass the Entry Level prior to submitting a performance in any Freestyle Division. For handlers who have registered as a “team”, only one dog is required to perform the Entry Level components, however, multiple registered dogs from the team may also be used. Entry level submissions are accepted daily. Refer to the Dogs Can Dance Challenge™ Guide for instructions on how to perform the Entry Level Components.
Download the Entry Level Components and Score Sheet
Musical Canine Freestyle Divisions
The Dogs Can Dance Challenge is proud to offer three uniquely different divisions in the sport of canine freestyle.
The three divisions offered are:
• Classical Freestyle
• Entertainment
• Music Interpretation
The three divisions allow the handler the choice to earn titles where their interests lie, or to become well rounded by completing all three divisions as required to earn the title of “Dogs Can Dance Champion”. For a definition of each division, please refer to the Dogs Can Dance Challenge® Guide.
The Dogs Can Dance Challenge® encourages training and performing from the young stages of puppyhood to advanced senior age. If you have a disabled dog, the Dogs Can Dance Challenge® welcomes you as well.
Judges
The Dogs Can Dance Challenge Judging Guidelines are available to help guide you to success. See the criteria that the judges are looking for and the questions they will be asking themselves as they view your performance.
Events
2025
"Dance Into Spring"
Video Titling Opportunity
Download Premium List
Download Dance Into Spring Entry Form
(To enter this event, use PayPal button below)
Recognizing the amazing accomplishments of DCD-CH Jeri Shipley, Olive and Quincy
A Message from Jeri:
My Freestyle journey began about 7 years ago, first with group classes to learn some of the basics, then working with club members and their dogs on Drill Team and then, ultimately, the creation and execution of individual dance routines. I was a bit apprehensive at first given that I don’t think of myself as a very creative person. I wondered how would I ever go about creating a dance routine. Thankfully with my weekly classes with Judy, and my willing and creative dance partner Olive, we submitted our first routine in the summer of 2017. After that we were hooked!
I was so enjoying the partnership and teamwork of Freestyle with Olive that in 2019 I started bringing my other Golden, Quincy, to class so we too could have fun together. It was initially a bit challenging for me to create and execute two different routines simultaneously with two very different dance partners, but nothing like the challenge I took on in 2021 when I decided that it might be “fun” to create a routine with both girls to earn our DCD-CH title. Now that we’ve accomplished that, the girls and I are starting to work towards our second DCD-CH title though we’re back to separate routines!
Registration
Register to campaign an individual handler and dog toward a championship, or register an individual handler and multiple dogs to campaign as a team! The Dogs Can Dance Challenge offers handlers all the options. A handler always has the option to upgrade to a “team” without losing points earned while campaigning as an individual dog and handler. As the handler of a “team”, you can select the dog of your choice to perform with in any division. Mix and match any of your dogs for any performance. The entire “team” earns the points from each performance. Even if one of the dogs passes away, video performances from the past can earn points for your team! Submit your Registration form and enter the Challenge today!
Download Upgrade Registration Form
(use this form to add a dog or to upgrade to a team)