The Reading Room • Sport Guides
One hundred yards, one lure, about ten seconds of pure joy. Fast CAT is the easiest dog sport to try — no training required, just a dog that likes to run. Here’s how it works, how the points add up, and what to expect when your dog runs for the first time.
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What Fast CAT actually is
Fast CAT is a timed 100-yard sprint. Your dog chases a lure — usually plastic bags on a line — down a straight fenced course while an electronic timer records the run.
That’s the whole sport. No jumps, no stays, no heeling. If your dog likes to run, your dog can do Fast CAT.
It’s open to all AKC-registered dogs 12 months and older, including mixed breeds enrolled in AKC Canine Partners. Verify age and registration rules with the current official rulebook before you enter.
How the points work
Every run earns points based on speed, adjusted for your dog’s size:
The Fast CAT formula
MPH = 204.545 ÷ run time in seconds
Points = MPH × height handicap
Height handicap: 1.0 for dogs 18″ and taller · 1.5 for 12″ to under 18″ · 2.0 for under 12″
Example: a 20-inch dog runs 100 yards in 8 seconds. 204.545 ÷ 8 = 25.57 MPH × 1.0 = 25.57 points for that run.
The little dogs get the biggest multiplier — a fast small dog can outscore a Greyhound on points. That’s by design.
The title ladder: BCAT to FCAT and beyond
Fast CAT titles are suffix titles — they go after your dog’s name — and each one replaces the last:
Fast CAT titles
BCAT — 150 points. Most dogs earn this in a single weekend.
DCAT — 500 points.
FCAT — 1,000 points.
FCAT2, FCAT3, and so on — every additional 500 points earns the next number.
Your first event: what to expect
Bring a second person. One of you releases the dog at the start line; the other catches at the finish. This is the single most useful thing to know before you go.
Check in early. Dogs are inspected before they run, and runs go in order. Most events let you enter more than one run per day — check the premium list for the limit.
Walk the track first. You can’t walk it with your dog, but eyeball the start, the finish, and where the lure line runs so you know where to stand.
Don’t overthink the release. Hold the collar (or use a slip lead), point the dog at the lure, let go when the huntmaster says “tally-ho.” Then cheer like you mean it at the finish line.
Glossary
- BCAT / DCAT / FCAT — Fast CAT titles at 150 / 500 / 1,000 points.
- Height handicap — The size multiplier (1.0, 1.5, or 2.0) applied to MPH.
- Huntmaster — The official who runs the start line.
- Suffix title — A title that goes after the dog’s registered name.
Sources: AKC Fast CAT, AKC Titles & Abbreviations. Verify current rules with the official rulebook.
Frequently asked questions
How are Fast CAT points calculated?
Divide 204.545 by your dog’s run time in seconds to get MPH, then multiply by the height handicap: 1.0 for dogs 18 inches and taller, 1.5 for 12 to under 18 inches, 2.0 for under 12 inches.
What is the height handicap in Fast CAT?
A multiplier that levels the field by size: 1.0 for 18 inches and up, 1.5 for 12 inches to under 18 inches, and 2.0 for under 12 inches. Smaller dogs earn more points per run.
How many points does it take to earn a BCAT?
150 points. Most dogs earn a BCAT in a single weekend of runs.
Can mixed-breed dogs run Fast CAT?
Yes. Mixed breeds enrolled in AKC Canine Partners (or with a PAL number) can compete and earn the same titles.
How old does a dog have to be to run Fast CAT?
Dogs must be at least 12 months old. Verify with the current official rulebook before entering.
Do I need two people at a Fast CAT event?
Yes — one person releases the dog at the start line and another catches at the finish. Plan for a helper.
What if my dog won’t chase the lure?
Not every dog cares about the bags, and that’s fine. Many clubs offer practice or fun runs so you can find out cheaply before entering a real trial.
Track your progress on ThePetAdvisor
Log every run, watch the points climb toward BCAT, DCAT, and FCAT, and find upcoming Fast CAT events near you.