Our local community continues to grow and diversify, because of this we cannot ignore the presence of non-puppy pet players.
At a meeting prior to the 2026 contest announcement, the AZPTC Stewardship Team discussed where non-Puppy human pet play identities fit into our contest and whether we should consider changing our contest branding and titles to represent the wider human pet play community.
The team concluded that it would add language to explicitly welcome and encourage non-Puppy identities in the contest while also choosing to maintain the “Puppy” branding and title for 2026.
There are two key reasons they chose this path:
- The Southwest Leather Bear Contest, held annually in Phoenix in January, as of 2026, introduced a Pet category, offering non-pups a path to earn a title with a name that includes human pet play identity.
- The International Puppy and Trainer Contest, which we consider to be the primary next step for our Titleholders*, include elements that explicitly focus on puppy identity, including their Show Ring category, and thus they do not intend to change from their puppy play focus.
Given the stated reasons, the Stewards felt that the 2026 event shall continue as the Arizona Puppy and Trainer Contest, with an affirmation that all pet identities are welcome to apply and compete in our event.
The 2026 Arizona Puppy and Trainer Contest takes place on May 2nd at Kobalt Bar in Phoenix, Arizona. Attend the event by purchasing tickets here
* Our Titleholders are welcome to alternatively–or additionally–compete at other contests, including International Mr Leather, International Ms Leather, Mr International Rubber, and more.