National Purebred Dog Day Fine Art/Poster 2026 Competition

About the Open Call

National Purebred Dog Day is pleased to announce its tenth annual Fine Art/Poster competition, challenging artists to include as many different breeds from the AKC's seven groups as possible. Art will be judged on its portrayal of the diversity and heritage of purebred dogs, creativity, originality, craftsmanship, and the artist's skill in their chosen medium, ensuring the image maintains integrity in poster form. The juror for this competition is Mr. Alan Fausel, Curator of the AKC Museum of the Dog.

What is Offered

One 'Best in Show' winner will receive $2,000 and their winning image will be made into National Purebred Dog Day's official poster for 2026. All entries are encouraged to be made available for sale on National Purebred Dog Day's website, with the organization retaining 25% of sold pieces. National Purebred Dog Day reserves the right to use any or all submitted images for educational and promotional purposes through social media, providing full attribution and one link to the artist.

Requirements

Competition is open to all international artists over 18 years of age who have no affiliation with, nor support any animal rights group. Entries must be original artwork in both concept and execution, not previously exhibited, published, or included in any public or private collection. Accepted media include oil, acrylic, watercolor, graphite, pencil, pastel, water-soluble oils, casein, charcoal, conte crayons, mixed media, gouache, tempera, or ink, and printmaking methods (serigraph, woodcut, linocut, intaglio, lithography). Photographs, sculpture, digital/AI-generated art, and fiber art are not accepted. Original size is left to the artist's discretion, but the finished poster size of the winning piece will be 18 x 24 inches. Each entrant is required to submit one digital JPEG image of their entry, including the name of the piece, its price, medium, and the artist’s name.

How to Apply

Artists must submit their work online via the Call for Entry platform. Each submission requires one digital image in JPEG format. Ensure the image quality is high as entries will be juried by JPGs. Submissions must include the name of the piece, its price, medium, and the artist’s name. A non-refundable entry fee of $35.00 is required for each submitted work; artists may submit up to three works.