2021 AKC Trick Dog winner used some Batman-inspired moves

The 2021 AKC Trick Dog winner has been announced, and he put on a super pawformance. (We couldn’t resist, as we’re big fans of superheroes around here.)

Eli, a Miniature Poodle owned by Leslie Gelesh of Akron, Ohio, was named as the 2021 AKC Trick Dog winner in the third annual competition, which was held virtually this year due to the pandemic, which continues to wreak havoc across the dog sports calendar.

143 entries from the United States, Canada and Turkey were submitted, as the contest was limited to Elite Performers, the highest classification of Trick Dog rankings.

“This performance was a joy to watch,” Mary Burch, AKC Family Dog director, said in a press release. “Eli’s routine included a number of advanced tricks and he was able to perform tricks with minimal cues from his handler. A dog who works so happily shows the bond that can result from training.”

The 2021 AKC Trick Dog winner has been named.

Eli’s performance was titled “Batman Furever,” and it can be viewed here. The impressive editing, voiceover and over-the-top comic book graphics all greatly added to the fun of the show as well, as the tricks were edited together to fit the story pawfectly.

We bet that Krypto the Superdog, Ace the Bat-Hound, and all the rest of the Legion of Super-Pets would approve of the show.

Other finalists included Maddie of Altoona, Wisconsin, who has handled by Muriel McMullen, and Brio the mixed breed of Minooka, Illinois, who was handled by Faye Roche.

“It was such a pleasure to judge these remarkable dogs and handlers,” judge and veterinarian Lee Cera said in a press release, adding that it was a close race to pick the winner.

To learn more about the canine sport of Trick Dog, see the AKC website for more information.

For more news, reviews, opinions and more when it comes to all things superheroes within the FanSided Network, see our sister site Bam Smack Pow for all the latest.