Search Menu
Striker the Cocker Spaniel wins the 2017 National Championship

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for! After an incredible competition, GCHP CH Silverhall Strike Force, an ASCOB Cocker Spaniel known as “Striker” was named Best in Show at the 2017 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin. “Striker” triumphed over nearly 5,000 dogs to earn a $50,000 cash prize in addition to the coveted title of Best in Show.

“Striker,” owned by Regina Beinhauer & Carolee Douglas and bred by Wilson S Pike & Bonnie S Pike was crowned “National Champion” by Best in Show judge Mr. Roger R. Hartinger.

Striker won the Sporting Group and competed against the six other group winners.

The group winners, along with Reserve Best in Show, were as follows:

Reserve Best in Show: GCHG CH Le Petit Prince De La Bete, a French Bulldog known as “Princeton,” owned by Alexandra Geremia & Blake Hamman & Peter Photos and bred by Peter Photos & Blake Hamman.

Sporting: GCHP CH Silverhall Strike Force, anASCOBCocker Spanielknown as “Striker,” owned by Regina Beinhauer & Carolee Douglas and bred by Wilson S Pike & Bonnie S Pike.

Hound: GCHB CH Pahlavi Marilyn Merlot, an Afghan Hound known as “Chelsea,” owned by Dr. Patrick Truman & Jeff Bracken & Karen Wagner and bred by Karen Wagner & Ellen C Klosson.

Working: GCHG CH Taolanquest Flying Cloud, an Alaskan Malamute known as “Cloud,” owned by Alisa Syar & Laurie Newburn & Ron Pohl & Mike Stone and bred by Laurie Newburn & Ron Pohl.

Terrier: GCHG CH Absolutely Signature, a Smooth Fox Terrier known as “Bradley,” owned by J W Smith & Dana Gabel and James W Smith/Dana Schumacher.

Toy: GCHG CH Pequest Pickwick, a Pekingese known as “Chuck,” owned by David Fitzpatrick & Nancy H Shapland and bred by David Fitzpatrick.

Non-Sporting: GCHG CH Le Petit Prince De La Bete, a French Bulldog known as “Princeton,” owned by Alexandra Geremia & Blake Hamman & Peter Photos and bred by Peter Photos & Blake Hamman.

Herding: GCHS CH Cordmaker Mister Blue Sky, a Puli known as “Preston,” owned by Ellen Charles & J Beaudoin & L Pitts & P Kelly & S Huebner and bred by Sue Huebner.

If you missed the crowning of the Best in Show winner, be sure to check out the replay on AKC.org. The show will also be televised on Animal Planet on January 1, 2018 7PM ET/PT and will re-air at 11PM ET.

Congratulations to all of these incredible dogs and their handlers!