What: Conifer Canine’s Christmas Cup is a timed competition for K9 teams. Both single and dual-purpose teams are welcome to attend. The Cup is open to K9 handlers in law enforcement, security, as well as K9 enthusiasts. It includes both handler and K9 involvement in several scenarios in a stressful environment. The Cup is designed to test team’s proficiency in obedience, agility, detection skills, handling stressors, apprehension skills, working together as a team. All participants will be judged from a Police K9 operational perspective; i.e. differently than IGP points, etc. Score will be determined on best overall time as well as stress recovery, accuracy of shooting, tactical soundness, accuracy of scent detection, team cohesiveness without internal tension. Teams will not be graded on whether they have a focused heel or not, have a bark/hold or not (we’re not trying to imitate IGP etc. Again, the Cup stems from real-world operational Police K9 efficiency). There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards for both single and dual-purpose teams.
More details will be added as they develop 😉
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026.
When: 0900 to finish. Participating handlers (without their K9s) will need to check in at 0815 and meet at 0830 for the morning briefing.
Where: New location TBA; within easy driving distance of Spencer, IN.
Registration Cost: TBA once the location has been secured. 2025 was $65 for participating K9 teams. Includes team and one spectator: spouse, friend, etc. Handlers are encouraged to read below in order to be prepared for the competition. Registration DEADLINE: Monday, Nov.9, 2026.
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Awards and prizes: There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards. Winners may receive one or more of the following: a trophy, RuffLand XL or L crate, Dogtra 1900X, NuVet supplements, NuJoint supplements, tugs, other dog toys, and many nice surprises planned.
What participating K9 teams should prepare for: The following skills may be included. Others may not be listed but will revolve around the following: Heeling (focused Heel not required), jumping, recall to Heel, clean Out off of sleeve/suit (choke-offs will not be permitted), crawling, sit, down, stay (up to 3 minutes), down/sit-out-of-motion, handler carries dog, handler crawls with dog, handler aids injured dog, handler-down scenarios, shooting, detection of target odor, apprehension of suspects, bark on command. In addition, the team will be handling distractors possibly including (but not limited to) people screaming, loud noises, other dogs/animals, flashing lights, crowds, tennis balls, toys, gunfire.
Contact us with other questions: tim@conifercanine.com or 800-795-4201 x3
Christmas Cup Registration
Register here for the Christmas Cup!