The fast world of Fast CAT is one of the American Kennel Club’s newest sports for dogs.

Fast CAT – is a timed 100-yard dash where dogs run one at a time, chasing a lure.   Dogs are run singularly and earn points based on their handicapped speed. There are no placements. Titles are issued at designated benchmarks. The dog’s time to complete the 100-yard dash is converted into MPH.. A handicap system is applied to a dog’s MPH to determine the number of points earned. The handicap system is based on the height of the dog at its wither.

 Dogs run individually and earn points that are calculated by multiplying their mph by their height-based handicap.   Titles are issued at designated benchmarks. A handicap system is applied to a dog’s MPH to determine the number of points earned. The handicap system is based on the height of the dog at its wither.

• Handicap of 2.0 for dogs below 12 inches at the withers
• Handicap of 1.5 for dogs 12 inches up to less than 18 inches at the withers
• Handicap of 1.0 for dogs greater than 18 inches at the withers

Dogs earn titles based on a point system   The designated milestones are:

• BCAT – 150 points
• DCAT – 500 points
• FACT – 1000 points
• FCAT# – every additional 500 points

Dogs may start up to 10 feet behind the starting line.  

To participate in FAST CAT®, your dog must be:

• At least 12 months of age.
• Have an AKC number via one of the following:
  • AKC Registration as one of the AKC’s recognized breeds.
  • AKC Canine Partners, which is for mixed-breed dogs and dogs ineligible for AKC registration.
  • Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) program, which is for purebred dogs that cannot be fully registered with the AKC to participate in AKC events.
  • Foundation Stock Service®(FSS), which is for recorded breeds on the road to full AKC recognition.

In addition:

• Spayed and neutered dogs are eligible to compete in these events and are welcome.
• Dogs with Limited or Conditional Registration are eligible to participate.
• Females in season are not eligible to participate.

Images courtesy of Beth Horn
Pictures of Rye & Arejay