Writing Competition Categories

2026

Regular Categories

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 or 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

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
Humor, Opinion, Commentary or Any Other Topic Young Author/Commentator

Visual Arts

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 or Biography
History (including but not limited to events including dog shows or competitions, travel stories, medical breakthroughs, and/or foundational or other legislation impacting breeds, adoption, civil codes, etc.)
For Children Up to 3
For Children 4 to 8
For Children 9 to 12
For Youth 13 to 18
Work by 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.

Enter the Contest

Special Awards

AKC Family Dog Award

Stories that emphasize dogs with good manners. Cash Award: $500

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.

AKC Reunite Microchip Awareness Award

Stories that focus on lost pet recovery. Cash Award: $1,000

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. For information about actual recovery stories, writers can contact AKC Reunite at microchip@akcreunite.org.

Captain William Lewis Judy Award

Stories that feature the roles played by military dogs. Cash Award: $350

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.

DWAA Distinguished Service Award

Recognition of members who go above and beyond for the Association. Cash Award: $500

Sponsored by the American Kennel Club, this award honors extraordinary achievement and communications excellence. It recognizes the person who, by word, deed, exemplary conduct, public communication and professional excellence, best promotes the interest of the sport of dogs. The award consists of a plaque. Do not apply for this award.

Boston Dog Lawyers Award

Stories that illuminate the human-animal bond — and the legal, social, and emotional forces that shape it. Cash Award: $250

Boston Dog Lawyers provides expert legal representation for pet owners facing custody disputes, bite allegations, dangerous dog hearings, and wrongful injury claims. This award recognizes outstanding print, broadcast, or digital journalism that illuminates the human-animal bond — and the legal, social, and emotional forces that shape it. Eligible entries may explore animal welfare, pet custody, veterinary medicine, service and emotional support animals, housing, public policy, or any story that captures the depth and complexity of the relationship between people and their companion animals. This award is open to news, features, investigative reporting, commentary, and multimedia storytelling that demonstrates journalistic excellence and meaningful insight into the lives we share with animals.

Canine Scribbles, Barbara E. Magera, MD

Canine Photojournalism Award for Young Photographers

Provides recognition of the work of youth photographers, 18 years or younger, that tells a story of "life with their dog(s)." Cash Prize $300

Sponsored by Canine Scribbles Owner Barbara E. Magera MD, this award is given to young photographers, age 18 yrs old or younger (based upon age of entrant on September 1, 2026) are invited to submit 6-12 photographs in a photojournalism format (jpeg high resolution) that tells a story of “life with their dog(s).” Photos must be original work of the young photographer. Photos can be taken using any type of camera such as a mirrorless, DSLR, or smartphone camera. Written script is limited to the title of the photojournalism piece. No other written script, language or music should accompany the photojournalism entry. (No dog show win photos done by a professional photographer allowed). Photos cannot be AI generated. Photo enhancement tools (ie Lightroom, Photoshop, Topaz , Microsoft Designer or equivalent) are allowed.

Suggested photojournalism themes include but not limited to: Growing up with your puppy to an adult do; Birthdays parties or holiday celebrations with your dog; Cuddling moments with your dog; Travel or vacation jaunts with your dog; Playtime with your dog; Comedy moments of fun and laughter with your dog; Dog sports activities with your dog; Halloween costume fun with your dog; or Therapy work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics or rehab facilities with your dog.

This special award will be judged by 3 experienced photographers.

Ted Slupik

DWAA Junior Writer Award

Stories from writers under 18. Cash Award: $400 per category

Sponsored by DWAA member Ted Slupik for writers under 18 years of age. This award recognizes and encourages young writers who exhibit talent, resourcefulness, dedication, and integrity in their writing about dogs and dog-related topics. Winners receive a cash award, a DWAA Maxwell Medallion, and a lapel pin.

Category: Up to Age 12
Category: Ages 13-14
Category: Ages 15-17

Sally and Tom Reeder

Harrison Stephens Inspirational Feature Award

Upbeat stories about human-animal bond. Cash Award: $300

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.

James Colasanti, Jr. Memorial Poetry Award

Poems that exemplify unconditional love of a dog. Cash Award: $250

This award is given in memory of James Colasanti, Jr., long-time sponsor of the Special Award in Poetry. It recognizes the poem or poetry that best exemplifies unconditional love for a dog.

The John Henry Walsh Award

Books and research on purebred dogs. Cash Award: $200

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 grant and is privately sponsored.

Lisa Begin-Kruysman

Manette Begin-Loudon Memorial Award

Stories that feature challenges faced by advocates for Bully Breeds and breed specific legislation. Cash Award: $300

Sponsored by Lisa Begin-Kruysman in memory of her parents, Jack and Cindy Begin. Presented to the writer/producer of a work that promotes awareness of the challenges faced by those who advocate for spaying and neutering dogs, encompassing, but not limited to, topics centered on individuals, municipalities, and rescue organizations that are working to reduce the unwanted pet population through such programs as increased awareness of the issue, clinics in underserved communities or legislation.

McFarland Best Book Award

Cash Award: $500

Sponsored by McFarland & Company. Inc., Publishers. The winner is selected by the DWAA president from the winners of all the adult book categories. Do not apply for this award.

Meyers Best Children's Book Award

Cash Award: $300

Sponsored by Dr. Merrie Meyers, this award is for the best book from the Children's Book Categories. The winner is chosen by DWAA's president from the regular category winners 33-36. Do not apply for this award.

Karen Harbert

Murder at the Dog Show Award

Cash Award: $100 per category

In recognition of outstanding writing in fiction, Karen Harbert, author of the Murder at the Dog Show series, is offering a cash reward 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

Articles or productions capturing human-animal connection through Therapy Dog visits. Cash Award: $500

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

Stories focusing on the importance of heritage hunting dogs, sporting dogs that hunt or participate in hunting or field tests. The award includes a $300 cash prize.

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.

JEN REEDER AND BRYAN FRYKLUND

Rio Award

Profiles of dogs that changed a person’s life in a positive way. Cash Award: $300

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.

Second Chance for Good Homes

Stories that reflect the lives of dogs who find good homes after being abandoned, surrendered or left homeless due to owner challenges. Cash Award: $250

Sponsored by Christine Radford, Marshview Realty of St. Marys, GA, 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 displaced dogs who find good homes after being abandoned, surrendered, or left homeless due to their owners death, health issues, advanced age, military transfers among others. The focus of this award is to alleviate the stigma of surrendering pets. As we know, sometimes life circumstances make it necessary to find new homes for a beloved pet. In some cases, factors such as insurance regulations, make it difficult for dog owners to find pets-allowed living arrangements when they find it necessary to move. Readers love to learn of individuals and groups who've positively surmounted these challenges.

Bev Thompson

The Some Dog Award

Articles or columns about a dog or dogs that excel in Barnhunt and/or Scentwork. Cash Award $150.

Created by Bev Thompson in loving memory of her heart dog, Molly Mae, the first Sealyham Terrier to get her BH Novice and Open titles in 2014 (RIP). Depicted in the Watercolor of Some Dog. And High-5 to Pippa, her current Sealyham Terrier at the Excellent Level in AKC Odor & HD Scentwork with "A Nose That Knows Her Human!" This award is for an article or column about a dog or dogs that excel in Barnhunt and/or Scentwork.

Walter R. Fletcher Memorial Award

Articles that feature dog shows in the US. Cash Award: $500

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 a cash award 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

Features about canine sports of agility and rally. Cash Award: $250

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.