New York, N.Y. – The 2015 Obedience and AKC Rally® National Champions were crowned this weekend at the American Kennel Club® (AKC®) National Obedience Championship and the AKC Rally National Championship, held at Purina Farms just outside of St. Louis, Missouri. The Championships, sponsored by J & J Dog Supplies, RB Rubber Products, Inc. and Purina® Pro Plan®, drew a combined entry of more than 500 of the most highly trained dogs in the nation.
“We congratulate our new Champions for triumphing over some of the best dogs in the country in the sports of Obedience and Rally,” said Pamela Manaton, AKC Director of Obedience, Rally and Tracking. “We’re proud to celebrate the accomplishments of these talented dogs and dedicated handlers; and thank our sponsors for their support to showcase these wonderful companion dogs and their handlers.”
The 2015 Obedience and Rally Nationals were dedicated to Patricia Scully. Ms. Scully was an AKC Board member for 16 years, had judged the Obedience Nationals on four occasions and was the 2012 AKC Companion Events Lifetime Achievement Award winner. She was a tireless advocate for the sport and most importantly, a friend to all.
The 21st AKC National Obedience Championship
The purpose of obedience trials is to demonstrate the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in heeling, jumping and retrieving as directed by the handler. All contestants in a class are required to perform the same exercises in essentially the same way, so that the relative quality of the various performances may be scored.
The top obedience dogs in the country were invited to this event based on the number of Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) points earned throughout the year or placements at AKC Obedience Regional Qualifying Events.
The 2015 AKC National Obedience Champion
NOC OTCH High Times Instant Soup UDX2 OM4 SH NA NAJ, a Golden Retriever owned by Bridget Carlsen of Yorkville, Illinois.
1st Runner-Up
NOC OTCH High Times Ris’N Above The Tide UDX23 OGM RE, a Golden Retriever owned by Kathleen Rasinowich-Platt of Papillion, Nebraska.
2nd Runner-Up
OTCH Goldenloch Makin’ A Statement UDX15 OGM, a Golden Retriever owned by Gary J. Platt of Papillion, Nebraska.
3rd Runner-Up
OTCH Sunsplash No Free Time UDX26 OGM RE OA OAJ NAP NJP, a Golden Retriever owned by Helen Smith of Newalla, Oklahoma.
The 2nd AKC Rally® National Championship
AKC Rally® combines elements of Obedience and Agility. The dog and handler move through a course of numbered exercises, all while the handler is communicating with and praising the dog. Rally demonstrates a sense of teamwork and provides an excellent introduction to AKC Companion Events for new dogs and handlers. The sport can also provide a challenging opportunity for competitors in other events to strengthen their skills. AKC Rally® promotes a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for dogs at all levels of competition.
Dogs and handlers competed for the top spot in the Novice, Advanced, Excellent, and Rally Advanced Excellent classes at this national championship.
The 2015 AKC Rally® National Champion (winner of the Rally Advanced Excellent Class)
RNC OTCH Dd’s Slice Of Pie VCD3 UDX2 OM5 RAE TDX JH AJP NFP, a Golden Retriever owned by Dee Dee Anderson and Billy Anderson of Lodi, California.
Rally Excellent
Duq’wood’s Brand New Start BN GO RE NJP, a Belgian Tervuren owned by Gail Brown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Rally Advanced
Sunchase’s Simply Lightning Strikes Twice UDX RA MX MXJ NF CA CGCA, a Boxer owned by Tracy Hendrickson and Rhonda Brouillette of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Rally Novice
Rite Of Honor Vom Kraftwerk BN RN, a German Shepherd Dog owned by Luann Vuckson of Elizabeth, Indiana.
For complete results, visit the Obedience and Rally pages on the AKC website.
The 2015 Obedience and AKC Rally National Champions were crowned this weekend at Purina Farms just outside of St. Louis, Missouri.