Writing Competition Categories
2025Regular Categories
The Written Word
Includes Print and Online, Newspaper and Magazine- Health and General Care
- Behavior, Training or Sports
- Single Breed, Show Groups, or All Breed
- Human/Animal Bond
- Canine or All Animal Publication
- Club Publications (Regularly Scheduled Publication)
- Club Publications (Special Topic)
- Rescue or Adoption
- Recurring Column
- Humor
- Poetry
- Op Eds or Commentary
- Short Story / Fiction (5,000 words max)
- Website
- Blogsite
- Any Other Topic
- Young Author
The Spoken Word
Includes Video, DVD, TV, Podcast, Radio and Other Media- Health and General Care
- Behavior, Training or Sports
- Human/Animal Bond
- Rescue or Adoption
- Any Other Topic (Includes Humor, Op Eds or Commentary)
- Young Author/Commentator
Visual Communication
Includes Brochures, Leaflets, Calendars, Pamphlets, Greeting Cards, etc.- Single Photo
- Photo Series
- Single Illustration or Painting
- Series of Illustrations or Paintings
Books
Print and Online- Health and General Care
- Behavior, Training or Sports
- Human/Animal Bond
- Rescue or Adoption
- Fiction (Adult) or Humor
- Memoir
- History (Including Biography, Persons Impacting Breeds, Shows, Laws, Medicine, Travel, etc.)
- For Children Up to 3
- For Children 4 to 8
- For Children 9 to 12
- For Youth 13 to 18
- Young Authors
Children's Books
You may notice some new terms in our children’s book categories. We have tried to align the categories to industry age groupings. When deciding on a category in which to submit your work, please see the Contest Rules for guidelines to consider.
Special Awards
AKC Family Dog Award
Sponsored by the American Kennel Club, this award is for the best writing (including books, articles and blog posts) about any or all of the good manners programs under the AKC Family Dog umbrella, including AKC Therapy Dog, AKC Trick Dog, AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine, Urban CGC and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy. While participating in these activities that are fun for both dogs and people, dogs become well-socialized and develop a lifelong bond with their owners. This award consists of a $500 cash grant.
AKC Reunite Microchip Awareness Award
Sponsored by AKC Reunite for the best article on how microchips can be used in pet recovery. Articles can include recovery stories of how dogs were identified or returned to owners, permanent identification in cases of theft, uses of microchips to confirm identity of dogs in competition, etc. The award is a $1,000 cash grant. For information about actual recovery stories, writers can contact AKC Reunite at microchip@akcreunite.org.
Captain William Lewis Judy Award
Sponsored by American Legion Post 348 of Brick Township, New Jersey. For a submission in any form of media that educates the public about the important role our military dogs play in our Armed Forces, including issues affecting their emotional and physical care during their training, active service and retirement. The award consists of a $350 cash grant.
Teoti Anderson
The Cody Award
Created by Teoti Anderson in loving memory of her heart dog, Cody, a three-legged rescued Labrador Retriever. This award is for an article, book, or essay that profiles a dog (or dogs) with a disability. This includes, but is not limited to, stories of inspiration, challenges, and the human-animal bond. The award consists of a $250 prize.
Ted Slupik
DWAA Junior Writer Award
Sponsored by DWAA member Ted Slupik for writers under 18 years of age. This award is to recognize and encourage young writers who exhibit talent, resourcefulness, dedication and integrity in their writing about dogs and dog-related topics. Award: $400.00 cash grant per category, a DWAA Maxwell Medallion, and lapel pin.
- Category: Ages 10-12
- Category: Ages 13-14
- Category: Ages 15-17
Sally and Tom Reeder
Harrison Stephens Inspirational Feature Award
Named in honor of Harrison Stephens, a newspaper editor who wrote thought-provoking features marked by journalistic integrity and humor until his death just before his 100th birthday. This award is for a feature article that highlights the human-canine bond and leaves the reader with a smile. Potential topics include working dogs (or a lazy dog with a winning personality), or dog-centric nonprofits that promote positive outcomes for pets and people. The award is sponsored by Sally and Tom Reeder and consists of a $300 grant.
James Colasanti, Jr.
James Colasanti, Jr. Poetry Award
For the poem/poetry which best exemplifies the unconditional love of a dog. Sponsored by James Colasanti, Jr. The award is a $250 cash grant.
Anne Tureen
The John Henry Walsh Award
This award is for books on purebred dogs. The work can be an in depth look at a single breed or a comparison of more than one breed but must contribute quality research and thoughtful reflection. The work can cover history, morphology, specific work in the field, conformation showing or any other subject concerning purebred dogs. This award is also available for published research projects promoting the greater knowledge or health of purebred dogs, either a single breed or a group of breeds. The award includes a $200 cash prize. It is privately sponsored.
Lisa Begin-Kruysman
Manette Begin-Loudon Memorial Award
Sponsored by Lisa Begin-Kruysman. Presented to the writer/producer of a work that promotes awareness of the challenges faced by those who advocate for dogs included in the “Bully Breed” category, encompassing, but not limited to, topics centered on Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), Dog Fighting Rings and breed discrimination in general. The award consists of a $300 grant.
McFarland Publishing
McFarland Best Book Award
Sponsored by McFarland & Company. Inc., Publishers. The winner is chosen by DWAA's president from the winners of all the book categories. The award is a $500 cash grant. Do not apply for this award.
Karen Harbert
Murder at the Dog Show Award
In recognition of outstanding writing in fiction, Karen Harbert, author of the Murder at the Dog Show series, is awarding $100 to each of the following regular category winners. Do not apply for this award.
- Fiction or Humor for Adults – $100
- For Children up to 3 – $100
- For Children 4 to 8 – $100
- For Children 9 to 12 – $100
- For Youth 13 to 18 – $100
National Dog Show Presented by Purina Excellence in Writing/Producing Award
Sponsored by The National Dog Show Presented by Purina, NBC’s Thanksgiving Day TV special, this award will be presented to the article or production in any media that best captures the essence of the human-animal bond in the context of therapy dog visitation at schools, healthcare institutions, weather/tragedy locations or other relevant venues where a need for comfort or anxiety relief is serviced by certified/registered therapy dogs dispatched by a verified organization. The award is being sponsored in conjunction with the National Dog Show Therapy Dog Symposium at Rowan University, America’s most prominent open forum for developing and sharing best practices for advocates, aspirants and practitioners in both the veterinary and lay communities. The award consists of a $500 cash grant to the individual to be used as an incentive to further pursue the topic going forward.
Next Generation Gundog Training
NG Gun Dog Training Heritage Hunting Dog Award
This award recognizes the importance of heritage hunting dogs, the Sporting dogs that hunt, or participate in hunt tests or field trials; setters, pointers, spaniels, and retrievers include breeds originally developed to find and retrieve game birds. They all play an important role in the tradition of hunting for the table, while enhancing an appreciation of the outdoors and respect for the waterfowl and upland birds they are used on so that no bird is lost. Hunt tests and field trials give these dogs a chance to demonstrate that they still have these instincts and skills and could be used in the field. Contest entries for this special award must have a primary focus and accurate information about these Sporting dogs engaged in these traditional activities of hunting, hunt tests,or field trials. Entries must be a single article, book, or photograph. The award is sponsored by Next Generation Gundog Training and offers a $300 cash prize.
Barbara Magera
Patricia "Pat" Hastings Mentorship Memorial Award
Sponsored by Canine Scribbles, owner Barbara E. Magera, MD, this award is named in memory of Patricia "Pat" Hastings. Pat was an all-breed judge, breeder, author, and mentor to many confirmation dog enthusiasts. She was a member and contributor to the DWAA contests. The prize will be awarded to the single author (18 years old or older) of the best article that describes the mentor who inspired or encouraged them to pursue their passion in dogs. Genres include any canine-related activities such as showing, writing, service work, training, breeding, or enjoying dogs as a family pet. The article should be 800-1200 word length and include a brief one to two sentence bio of the author's mentor. If not included in the original publication, please include a high resolution jpeg photo of your mentor.
JEN REEDER AND BRYAN FRYKLUND
Rio Award
Sponsored by Jen Reeder and Bryan Fryklund in honor of their beloved Labrador retriever mix, Rio, this award is for an article, book or essay that profiles a dog who changed someone’s life in a profoundly positive way. The award consists of a $300 cash prize.
Merrie Meyers
Second Chance Award
Sponsored by Merrie Meyers, this award goes to the best article, book, blog, TV segment, radio spot, video, column or other creative media format that reflects the lives of older dogs that receive a chance for a new fur-ever home. This may include stories about programs that enable older dogs to retain their homes or find new homes; dogs who are retired from a life of work in law enforcement, rehomed from shelters or rescues, show animals placed in pet homes, medical victories, hospice care for homeless dogs or other ways in which communities and/or individuals are helping to make sure no old dog dies alone or afraid. The winner will receive a $250 cash prize.
Sleepypod Pet Safety Award
Sponsored by Sleepypod, this award is for the best article or book that shares tips for pet safety during travel and/or anecdotes of dogs helped by owners who take safety precautions. The award consists of a $500 cash grant.
Walter R. Fletcher Memorial Award
Sponsored by The Westminster Kennel Club in memory of legendary dog show reporter Walter Fletcher, this annual award goes to the reporter who best exemplifies continued press coverage of dog shows in America. The writer must submit a bylined article in a nationally distributed print or online general interest publication about a dog show (or shows). Articles must be a minimum of 1,000 words in length. The winner will receive $500 and a seat in the working Press area for both nights of the 2025 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden.
United States Dog Agility Association®
USDAA Agility Award
The United States Dog Agility Association® encourages and recognizes outstanding writing featuring canine sport in agility or rally. The winning entry can appear in any format, including newspaper/magazine, newsletter, blogs, websites, or specialty publications such as club publications, or brochures. The winning entry will receive $250.