The Reading Room • Family Dog Guides
AKC FIT DOG: Get Fit Together, Earn Titles Doing It
FIT DOG is AKC's answer to a simple observation: the walks you're already taking count for something. It's a fitness title program where you and your dog earn points for activities — walks, hikes, runs, swimming, even parkour — and convert them into official AKC titles.
Three levels: Bronze (5 points), Silver (10 points), Gold (20 points). Points come from six activity categories, and each title requires points from at least two categories — so you can't just walk the same loop forever. Well, you can walk a lot, but mix in something else too.
The titles are consecutive: Bronze before Silver before Gold. And here's a nice touch — fitness-related AKC titles your dog already holds (Fast CAT, agility, Fetch) can count toward Gold.
Earning this title? Create your free ThePetAdvisor account — log it, track your dog’s progress, and find testing near you.
Requirements
- Bronze (FITB): 5 activity points from at least 2 of the 6 categories.
- Silver (FITS): 10 activity points from at least 2 categories. Requires Bronze first.
- Gold (FITG): 20 activity points from at least 2 categories. Requires Silver first. A fitness-related AKC title (e.g., Fetch, Fast CAT, agility) can satisfy part of the requirement.
- The 6 activity categories: (1) AKC FIT DOG courses (6-week classes with approved instructors); (2) community runs/walks (5Ks, Turkey Trots, AKC-recognized fun runs); (3) walks and hikes, independent or group; (4) “unique to you” activities — swimming, paddleboarding, parkour, canine fitness drills; (5) fitness-related AKC titles; (6) parent-club performance titles (sledding, carting, draft work).
- Dogs should be cleared by a veterinarian for physical activity. Handlers with disabilities may use any mobility aids necessary.
Test items can be updated by AKC — confirm the current list with your evaluator before test day. Source: AKC official page.
How to earn it
- Step 1: Check the FIT DOG participant guide and title checklists on akc.org for the current point values per activity.
- Step 2: Start logging activities — walks, hikes, runs, classes. Keep it simple: date, activity, category.
- Step 3: When you've banked enough points for a level (from at least 2 categories), apply through the AKC portal with your checklist and documentation.
- Step 4: Earn Bronze, then build toward Silver, then Gold.
Find testing near you
Many conformation dog shows offer CGC, Trick Dog, and Fetch testing right on the show grounds — sometimes you can literally walk up ringside, pay the fee, and get evaluated the same day. Check the premium list for any show you’re attending, or ask the show secretary. Training clubs and stand-alone test days run year-round too.
Frequently asked questions
Do my regular walks count?
Yes — that's the point. Independent walks and hikes are a core category. If you're already walking daily, you may be closer to Bronze than you think.
Do I have to do different activities, or can I just walk?
Each title requires points from at least two categories, so mix in one more — a community fun run, a FIT DOG course, swimming, anything active you both enjoy.
What counts as a ‘unique to you’ activity?
Essentially anything that gets your dog moving: swimming, paddleboarding, parkour, backyard agility drills, dog yoga. If it's active and documented, it counts.
Can my dog's Fast CAT or agility titles help?
Yes — fitness-related AKC titles can count toward the Gold level requirement.
Is there an age or breed restriction?
No breed restriction. Dogs should be vet-cleared for exercise. The program scales from gentle walks to advanced athletics.
How do I document activities?
Keep a simple log: date, activity, category, and any supporting detail (event name, course completion). AKC's title checklist is the official format at application time.
Track your dog’s Family Dog journey
Log every title, watch the progress bars fill, and never miss a testing opportunity.