What Changed in the AKC Scent Work Rulebook from 2024 to 2025

In August 2025, the AKC released a new version of the Scent Work regulations.

New red cover color. Same PDF format. Zero summary of what changed.

I went through both versions, the purple April 2024 copy and the red August 2025 edition, section by section, and cross-checked with NotebookLM. Here's what I found.

A Note Before I Start

This is how I read the changes. I'm not an AKC official. I did this because I thought it would help our community. I couldn't find a summary from AKC, so here's mine.

If you spot something I got wrong or missed, please let me know. I want this to be an accurate and usable resource.

Change 1: Dogs with Artificial Coloring

There's a brand-new section in the 2025 rulebook, Chapter 2, Section 4, that didn't exist in 2024.

Dogs with artificial coloring in their coats may now participate in Scent Work. The coloring cannot cover more than one-third of the coat, cannot be in poor taste, cannot contain profanity, and cannot conflict with a test sponsor. The Chairperson has the final call on whether it's acceptable.

If your dog shows up with a dye job, just know someone will be making a judgment call about it.

Change 2: The Entry Fee Went Up

Chapter 3, Section 40 was called "Recording Fees." It is now called "Service Fees."

The fee went from $3.50 to $4.50 per entry.

Per entry.

If you're running four elements across a weekend, you know what that adds up to.

Change 3: Buried Searches

Most of us have already heard about this one. Several things changed in how Buried searches are set up, and if you're a judge, a trial chair, or someone who helps run a buried trial, read this section carefully.

You no longer need a scent vessel for water.

You no longer need to insert the Q-tip into the aquarum tubing and suction-cup it into the bottom of the tub. Just drop the scented cotton swab into the water and let it sink to the bottom.

Note: this means you'll have to make sure all the tubs have Q-tips in them and determine whether the judge or the club will supply odor-free cotton swabs.

The sand depth has been reduced.

In 2024, Buried required four inches of sand.

Now, sandboxes must be filled to a minimum of two inches and a maximum of three inches. The infuser sits on the floor of the box, and at least one inch of sand must sit above it. The rulebook even includes specific examples:

- 3 inches of sand + a 2-inch infuser = 1 inch of sand above the vessel
- 2 inches of sand + a 1-inch infuser = 1 inch of sand above the vessel

These specifications now apply to all difficulty levels of Buried Class searches.

The sand vessel size has more flexibility.

In 2024: "approximately two inches in diameter."

In 2025: between 1 and 2 inches in diameter, proportional to the amount of sand used.

IMPORTANT: There is a drafting error in the 2025 rulebook that will cause confusion.

At the end of the Buried section, there is a summary table with a row for "Depth" that still reads "4 inches" in the 2025 book. The AKC did not update the table to match the new text.

The written specifications in the body of the chapter are what changed. The table did not catch up. If someone at your trial points to that table, this is why it doesn't match what the rules actually say. The text controls.

Change 4: Regional Championships

Chapter 10 now includes Section 10, establishing Regional Championship Events. These are multi-element search events where competitors at each level — Novice through Master — can earn recognition as Regional Champions.

Winners also earn automatic qualification for the National Championship.

The full structure is laid out in Chapter 10, Section 10 of the 2025 rulebook. If you compete at the upper levels, it's worth reading.

Change 5: The Code of Sportsmanship Got an Update

The "AKC Code of Sportsmanship" has been renamed the "AKC Code of Sportsmanship and Civility."

The language throughout was updated from "Sportsmen" to the gender-neutral "Sportspeople." New content was added around equity, inclusion, and fostering a welcoming environment.

And there's one addition worth noting if you spend any time in scent work groups online: sportspeople are now explicitly expected to extend their values of civility and respect to digital and social media platforms.

Change 6: Three New Chapters

The 2024 rulebook had 12 chapters. The 2025 rulebook has 15.

Most competitors won't need to read all three. But specific people in our community absolutely should know they're there.

Chapter 13: Instructions for Protests of Eligibility

The formal process for protesting a dog's eligibility to compete — written protest, $25 deposit, committee hearing, and appeal rights all the way to the AKC.

Chapter 14: Dealing with Misconduct

Covers prejudicial conduct at events: abusive language, altercations, mistreatment of a dog, and what the Event Committee is required to do about it.

Judges, trial chairs, and event committee members: this chapter now exists in your rulebook. Know it.

Chapter 15: Regulation Violations

A separate process for situations where the regulations themselves were violated at a trial. Written complaints go to the Scent Work Department.

Change 7: Two Small VSWT Updates

Quick ones, but worth knowing if you run Virtual Scent Work Tests.

The submission email changed. In 2024, entry forms went to scentwork@akc.org. In 2025, there's a dedicated address: VSWT@akc.org.

There was also a timing inconsistency in the 2024 rulebook where the summary table for the Intermediate level listed the max search time as "2-5 min" while the text said "two and a half minutes." The 2025 rulebook corrected it. Both now say 2.5 minutes.

Did I Miss Something or Get it Wrong?

If something here doesn't match your read of the rulebook, or if you think there's something worth calling out, please let me know.