- Tennessee Artist to Sign Limited Edition Prints of “Best in Show” -

NEW YORK (October 27, 2006) – The American Kennel Club and Eukanuba are pleased to announce that Kathryn Rutherford of Sevierville, Tenn. is the winning artist in the fourth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship commemorative art poster competition.

Her winning oil on canvas portrait “Best in Show” depicts one breed representing each group winner from the previous AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Her design best captured the contest’s theme “The Wonderful World of Purebred Dogs”.

Rutherford, a professional fine artist and art teacher, specializes in paintings and portraits which are created in “high realism”. Her work is often praised for being lifelike. She says that, “For this painting, I wanted to create a lasting portrait that honored the actual champions from last year.”

Rutherford will receive $1,000 and a four-day/three-night trip for two to the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, Calif. December 2-3, 2006.

A limited edition of 500 copies of the poster will be created. Rutherford will be available to autograph her work during the show at the AKC booth. The poster will also be sold on AKC’s website at www.akc.org. Proceeds from the sale of the poster will benefit Take the Lead , a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to providing direct services, support and care for all qualified participants in the sport of dogs who suffer from the devastating realities of life-threatening or terminal illnesses.

“Take the Lead has had a profound affect on the world of purebred dogs in their efforts to assist fanciers in times of need,“ said Show Chairman and AKC Chairman Ron Menaker. “We are delighted to give dog lovers the opportunity to take home a small part of the show by donating to this worthy cause.”

The year’s international line-up of top dogs at the Sixth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will compete for $225,000 in cash prizes. In addition, the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational will once again join the National Championship at the same venue. The show will be simulcast live on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel on December 2 and 3, 2006 from 8 to 11 p.m. (EST) both nights.

For more information about the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, please visit www.topdogshow.com.