Events
ANNUAL CANINE CLASSIC EVENT
The 2026 Canine Classic registration is open! Join the fun and sign up to hike, run, and raise funds for conservation and rescue dogs!
Thanks to the generosity of a dedicated supporter, every dollar raised through the Canine Classic will be matched up to $10,000 — including registration fees, direct donations, and participant and team fundraising efforts!
Wine & Bitch Dinner: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Canine Classic Event: Sunday, August 23, 2026
Join us for a hike or run, great food, and a fun day supporting Working Dogs for Conservation! The Canine Classic is a family‑friendly, dog‑friendly event at Paws Up.
Choose from a ½ marathon, 5‑mile race, 2‑mile run/walk, or virtual options with great fundraising prizes. Dogs are welcome—and can even be off‑leash across Paws Up’s 37,000‑acre, trap‑free property.
After the race, enjoy a gourmet lunch and plenty of goodies. You can also kick things off the night before at the Wine & Bitch Dinner, featuring a sit‑down meal, conservation dog demo, and silent auction. Proceeds generously support WD4C through the Paws Up Foundation.
Fundraising for the Canine Classic adds an extra layer of fun to the event - every mile and every dollar helps transform rescue and career‑change dogs into conservation heroes who protect wildlife and wild places around the world. As you raise support, you’ll also unlock exciting rewards along the way. Milestones come with perks like waived entry fees, WD4C and Ruffwear gear, gift certificates, and even the chance to win an unforgettable Paws Up adventure with lunch at The Shed. Top fundraisers can earn a night of luxury glamping at Paws Up, making your impact for conservation feel even more rewarding.
Volunteering at the Canine Classic is a fun and meaningful way to be part of something bigger. When you give your time, you’re directly supporting the incredible work of WD4C and helping make this community event possible. Volunteers get to experience the excitement of race day, connect with an amazing group of people, and enjoy a gourmet BBQ lunch and event swag as a thank‑you for their support.
A big thanks to our 2026 sponsors!
Want to volunteer to help with some of our in-person events? Email events@wd4c.org with your interest!
UPCOMING EVENTS
We host several events throughout the year, including local events in Montana and virtually as well!
You’re invited! We’d love to see you - come join us!
Have a fundraising event idea you’d like to share? Reach out!
Join us on July 14 for a PaddleHeads Game and Community Night! Tickets sales for this baseball game made through this link will be donated to help support Working Dogs for Conservation. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and first pitch is at 6:35 p.m. Meet some of our team and dogs as well! Hurry - order now to get your tickets! GET TICKETS: https://tickets.paddleheadspost.com/s/jlUBjIH-
Join us to hear from Working Dogs for Conservation (WD4C), including Director of Law Enforcement Jay Crafter, as he shares insights into WD4C’s mission and recent anti-poaching work, for the International Elephant Foundation's Conservation Chat webinar series. Learn how conservation dogs play a critical role in protecting elephants and other wildlife, working in close collaboration with partners to help stop wildlife trafficking and poaching. He'll also highlight WD4C’s latest project and collaboration with the International Elephant Foundation (IEF).
When: August 20th 9am Pacific/10 am Mountain/11am Central
Where: Zoom, Free to attend
RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/ConservationChat
Dog Days of Summer Webinar Series
This dates for this webinar series have passed, but you can view the recordings on our YouTube Channel.
CLASSES AND TRAININGS
Upcoming course: FITNESS FUNDAMENTALS
Our working dogs greatly benefit from fitness and conditioning training - and your dog can too! Canine fitness helps improve strength and flexibility, while also preventing injuries, helping to keep dogs ready for any Montana adventure.
This class will be held at WD4C Headquarters, just 15 minutes outside of Missoula, from 6-7pm each Tuesday from July 7-July 28, 2026. $120 for 4-class series.
Canine Field Specialist and Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach, Paige Smith, will lead you and your dog in the beginning steps of fitness. In addition to fitness, this 4-week class will cover skills like targeting, marker words, reward locations, how to use equipment, and more!
Contact us for more information and to register!
Want to Bring WD4C to Your Event?
Whether you're planning a conference, classroom visit, community gathering, or something in between - we’d love to share the incredible work of our conservation detection dogs! From inspiring talks to engaging demonstrations (yes, we can bring the dogs!), we’re happy to explore ways to be part of your event.
Availability depends on our fieldwork schedule, but we’ll do our best to make it work or find a creative alternative. To support the time, travel, and preparation involved, a speaker or demo fee or donation is greatly appreciated to help support this work. Reach out to us at events@wd4c.org with a little bit about your event, your ideal date, and what you’re looking for and we’ll see if we can connect!