Dogs from 49 States and More Than 40 Countries Compete for Over $225,000 in Prize Money and Prestigious Wins

Event Broadcast on ABC Network Television on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011

NEW YORK, /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – Nearly 2,500 dogs will compete for more than $225,000 in cash prizes at the Tenth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC) on Dec. 4 and 5, 2010 in Long Beach, Calif. The two-day event is held in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational (entries of 473 and 117 respectively), the Junior Showmanship competition (134 competitors) and the Eukanuba World Challenge (43 participants), making for a combined entry of 3,233 dogs competing in all events.

“We’re proud to welcome the country’s best conformation, agility and obedience competitors to the 10th edition of our show,” said Ron Menaker, show chairman. “With more than 3,000 total entries, and nearly 40% of the entry from our AKC breeders, the backbone of the sport, the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is one of the largest AKC dog shows in 2010 and a great way to cap off a year of exciting competition.”

“Alongside the American Kennel Club, we’re thrilled to host one of the most unique experiences for any dog lover, with thousands of dogs in competition, dozens of vendors, and numerous demonstrations,” said Jason Taylor, external relations manager, Procter & Gamble Pet Care. “We’re pleased to provide a showcase that brings together the best breeders, handlers and champions and that allows the world to truly appreciate ‘man’s best friend.’”

HAPPENINGS AT THE AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

• Best in Show Competition – Best in Show judge Mrs. Jean Fournier of Calhoun, Georgia will choose one ultimate winner from the country’s top show dogs from each of the 167 AKC recognized breeds. The owner(s) of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show winner will receive more than $50,000, and the breeder(s) of the Best in Show winner will be awarded $15,000.
• AKC Agility Invitational – The agility competition demonstrates the versatility and speed of canines as they race against the clock and overcome a challenging obstacle course of tunnels, weave poles, jumps and seesaws. It is a sport of physical skill, control, patience and most importantly, teamwork between handler and dog. The AKC Agility Invitational is run with the support of J & J Dog Supplies.
• AKC National Obedience Invitational – Obedience trials demonstrate how useful a dog is as a valued companion. Accuracy and precision are essential, but the natural movement of the handler and the willingness and enjoyment of the dog also are important. The AKC National Obedience Invitational is run with the support of Lubrisyn.

• Eukanuba World Challenge – The international challenge will feature top dogs from 43 countries. Rare breeds such as the Cane de Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese and the Eurasier will compete against more traditional favorites for the title of “Eukanuba World Challenge Champion” and a total of $15,000 in prize money.
• Junior Handlers – Top-ranking preteen and teen handlers (ages 9-18), who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based on year-round competition will compete for prestigious wins and scholarship money.
• AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) – Each year dogs are recognized for their outstanding contributions to their respective communities. There are five categories the ACE Award recognizes: Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service and Exemplary Companion.  These honorees and their owners will be on-hand in Long Beach to receive their awards and be recognized in front of the AENC audience.
• AKC Meet the Breeds^® – Showcasing more than 140 breeds, with dogs of all ages, AKC Meet the Breeds^® is designed to teach responsible dog ownership while providing an interactive and fun experience for show attendees. Debuting at the event are some of the newest breeds recognized by the AKC – the Bluetick Coonhound, Cane Corso, Leonberger and Redbone Coonhound.
• Dock Diving Demos – The “long jump” for dogs! Watch a variety of breeds leap off a dock and splash into a pool as they strive to jump the farthest in this exciting event.
• California Narcotics Canine Association Demos – Learn how dogs work to keep us safe as these law enforcement K9s demonstrate narcotics detection and police canine apprehension.

AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY THE NUMBERS

• All 167 AKC registered breeds are entered to compete.
• The largest entries include:
  • 43 French Bulldogs
  • 34 Samoyeds
  • 34 Border Collies
  • 33 Siberian Huskies
  • 32 Australian Shepherds
  • 31 Basset Hounds
  • 30 Golden Retrievers
  • 28 Rhodesian Ridgebacks
  • 28 Boston Terriers
  • 27 German Shorthaired Pointers
  • 27 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • 26 Vizslas
  • 26 Pugs
• The newest breeds to compete include:
  • 3 Bluetick Coonhounds
  • 14 Boykin Spaniels
  • 18 Cane Corso
  • 15 Icelandic Sheepdogs
  • 5 Leonberger
  • 10 Redbone Coonhounds
  • AKC Miscellaneous Breeds:
    • 1 Cesky Terrier
    • 3 Entlebucher Mountain Dogs
    • 1 Finnish Lapphund
    • 2 Norwegian Lundehunds
    • 1 Rat Terrier
    • 12 Russell Terriers
    • 4 Treeing Walker Coonhounds
    • 7 Xoloitzcuintli
• By group, entry totals are: Sporting – 393; Hound – 340; Working – 434; Terrier – 345; Toy – 306; Non-Sporting – 290, Herding – 327 and Miscellaneous – 31
• Dogs from 43 international countries will compete in the Eukanuba World Challenge including Australia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
• More than $225,000 in cash and prizes are offered by Eukanuba.
• The owner/s of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show winner will receive more than $50,000 while the breeder/s of the Best in Show winner is awarded $15,000.
• Judge Mrs. Polly Smith will chose a Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Show from the 953 dogs entered in the Bred-by-Exhibitor (the dog’s handler is both breeder and owner) competition, making up 39% of the entry who will be eligible to win the $15,000 cash prize. Same-day video coverage of the Bred-by-Exhibitor Groups will be provided on akc.org.
• Nearly 350,000 square feet of event space will be utilized.

AGILITY AND OBEDIENCE INVITATIONALS BY THE NUMBERS

• Agility – 473 total; 130 breeds from 40 states (plus Japan).
• Obedience – 117 total; 46 breeds from 30 states and Canada.

To purchase tickets and get more information about the show visit www.akc.org/aenc. To receive daily updates and show results via Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/aenc and www.facebook.com/americankennelclub.

The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884, maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world. Its rules and regulations govern more than 20,000 canine competitions each year.

What: Dog events (and some for humans), for two days

When: December 12-13

Where: Long Beach, California

Everyone’s tails, um…tongues are already wagging about the ninth annual AKC Eukanuba National Championship coming to Long Beach in December. For starters, it’s the American Kennel Club’s 125th anniversary and, to celebrate, you’ll find full roster of spectacular events that will keep dog lovers sitting up and begging for more.

Visit this blog often so you can get to know the exceptional dogs competing in the national and international events, and which ones to watch the nights of the broadcast. You’ll also find updates as they happen, along with air dates and times, premiere party suggestions and the chance to purchase event memorabilia.

Get more details about the show at akc.org>>

Who Will Be the World’s Top Dog?

To commemorate the AKC’s 125th anniversary, the Eukanuba World Challenge—one of the show’s main events—has invited breeders from 41 countries to enter their prettiest pedigrees. Thousands of pooches will be competing for only three places in the finals for Best in Show.

But that’s just part of what will be happening during these two totally amazing dog days. You don’t necessarily have to be knockdown gorgeous to be leader of the pack. While the world challenge is going on, you’ll also want to take a lick, er look…at these events and contests.

Learn more about the 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge>>

Cool Canine Competitions

• AKC Agility Invitational – One of fastest-growing dog sports, you’ll see dogs literally jump through hoops, jump on seesaws, run through tunnels, clear multiple hurtles, and that’s just for starters.
• The National Obedience Invitational – Believe it or not, it all begins with a dog having good manners…no, we don’t mean using the right fork. Experience true synchronicity between human and canine.

Live Doggie Demos

• Police Dog Demo – They don’t need guns to apprehend criminals. Their teeth and agility are more than enough. Watch how these highly trained professionals protect and serve.
• Grooming Demo – See top professional dog groomers do their thing. You’ll learn the basics of keeping your pooch properly pampered, so he looks and feels fabulous.
• Dog-training Demo – A professional trick trainer will show you techniques to teach your old (or young) dog new tricks.

People Pleasers

• Appearance and autographed collars by Shawn Johnson – We’ll “tweet” tips on how to win the gorgeous dog collar that appears in the ad with—and is autographed by—this amazing Olympic Medalist who took home 4 for the U.S. in the 2008 Olympics, and finished first in the eight season of “Dancing With the Stars.”
• “Be a Dog” Exhibit – Did you know that dogs only see blue and yellow? Or that their taste is 1000 times less sensitive than ours? Experience first hand what it feels like to see, taste and live a dog’s life.
• AKC Meet the Breeds?
• Meet more than 150 American Kennel Club breeds and spend quality time with dogs, puppies and breeders from across the Country.