Annual Plaque Awards (Performance)
Annual Plaque Awards are granted for the following achievements awarded each year at the Annual Dinner at the National Specialty, using the AKC calendar for January 1 through December 31 for the prior year. ABC is not responsible for correction of AKC records after the time periods of when ABC has received the official AKC records for the applicable time period as there will be no retroactive recognition. The achievements are calculated based on the AKC Performance Report for the applicable year. To be eligible for the award, at least one of the owners must be a member of ABC or a member of an ABC member club. ABC will pay for one award per category of award if granted to an ABC member; for non-ABC members or where multiple copies of the award are desired, the plaques may be ordered upon payment to ABC, plus shipping and handling, if applicable. Where more than one ABC member exists, the ABC members shall determine among themselves which ABC member shall receive the award and which ABC member shall pay for the duplicate, if a duplicate is desired, and timely advise the Awards chair.
Performance Champion — Any Boxer will be awarded for the first MACH or PACH, AGCH, CT, OTCH, RACH HC
ABC Top Agility Boxer – Awarded to the Boxer that has consistently attained the fastest (Score) and most consistent (Double Q’s) performance in AKC Masters Agility class (Highest class) selected from AKC records of the dog with the highest score for the calendar year in Masters Class. Scores will be sorted and ranked highest to lowest by the Score (Double Q’s x 10) + MACH points
ABC Top Obedience Boxer – This is awarded to the Boxer that has attained the highest level of skill, training and consistency needed to execute the AKC Obedience classes. The dog must attain a minimum of three (3) qualifying scores in the calendar year per AKC records in the regular obedience classes (Novice, Open and Utility) using a formula that averages scores and weights the advanced classes like Utility over Novice. Therefore a dog with a score of 198 in Utility is weighted higher than a dog with 198 in Novice, awarding highest level of training and consistency in obedience.
ABC Top Performance Award – This is awarded to the Boxer that performs at the highest levels of the multi venues of AKC recognized performance sports. This is designed as a lifetime award rather than as a yearly award. The dog is retired after winning and is not eligible to compete in subsequent years. The dog must be nominated on the annual form provided on the ABC website. The Dog must have earned titles in at least two (2) of the core sports: Agility (STD and JWW), Obedience, Herding and Tracking. A point scale has been derived for each of the sports and is updated annually as more titles and sports are recognized by AKC. The points are awarded for titles earned; the more difficult the title, the more points the dog receives. The award will be given to the dog with the highest scores who also meets all the criteria. The owner must have significantly trained and handled the dog to its titles (this does not include conformation titles and will give consideration for handler injury and/or physical impairment). The Dog must obtain at least one of its titles in the year it is nominated.
Download Performance Awards Criteria PDF
Download 2025 ABC Top Performance Dog Award Application PDF
Other Recognitions (Performance)
Champion of Merit – COM
The COM program seeks to award a boxer that is correct in conformation and can demonstrate the characteristics required to be a stable, loving companion and a trainable partner in service, sport or work. Once a Boxer is an AKC Champion of record and has obtained a Companion/Performance or Working title from the list of acceptable titles, the owner of the dog will submit an application with the required documentation. Upon verification by ABC the owner will receive a title Certificate from ABC and the COM suffix may be included behind the registered name in all instances where one would also list a DOM, SOM, or LOM. Qualifying titles do not include instinct tests or certifications. The COM title is retroactive. No title awarded using any qualifying legs acquired virtually can be used. Please refer to the Qualifying COM Titles and the Minimum titling level required.
Additional Information on COM PDF
ABC Performance Award Plaque
This award is granted periodically, upon application to ABC and ABC verification, to (i) Champion Boxers earning the first AKC Obedience title (CD), the first AKC Agility title (NA or NJA), or the first AKC Tracking title (TD); or (ii) any Boxer earning the UD, either MX or MXJ, or VST through AKC. To be eligible for the award the owner of the Boxer must be an ABC member or a member of an ABC member club at the time each title was earned. One plaque will be awarded per title, subject to certain exclusions. ABC Members and members of ABC member clubs may purchase an additional plaque at cost plus postage. Engraving on the plaque is the responsibility of the owner. Exclusions from eligibility are for those who (i) received the old BOW plaque for CD titles or (ii) received the ABC Performance Plaque for AX or AXJ and then obtain a MX or MXJ.
ABC PERFORMANCE AWARD PLAQUE APPLICATION PDF
AKC Working Title Recognition
For more information go to Announcing Special News about Boxer Working Title Recognition in the US
New Titles
New Titles (Companion/Obedience/Performance) — After notice from AKC to ABC, ABC will issue annually to the primary owner of record a certificate reflecting all titles that owner’s dog may have achieved during the calendar year. To be eligible for this certificate one of the owners must be an ABC member.
Obedience High In Trial – Upon approval of an obedience trial by ABC, an ABC member club will be issued a Obedience High In Trial Plaque form to be filled out and sent to the Obedience High In Trial Plaque committee who will send a plaque to the member club. The plaque would be presented to the Obedience High In Trial Plaque by that club at its Obedience Trial. The premium for the show must reflect “Obedience High In Trial Plaque offered by the American Boxer Club”. There is no requirement that the recipient of the HIT plaque be a member of ABC or a member of an ABC member club. In order to receive approval for an Obedience Trial, please refer to the Download: Items to be sent to the ABC Secretary PDF.