Record-Breaking Entry of 3,233 Top Competitors Will Participate At Tenth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

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

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

NEW YORK, NY – Nearly 2,500 dogs will compete for more than $225,000 in cash prizes at the Tenth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC) on December 4 and 5, 2010 in Long Beach, California. The two-day event is held in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC 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.

“The top dogs from across the country have entered the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, including our new AKC Grand Champions, so we expect this event to be one of most hotly contested Championships yet,” said Ron Menaker, AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Show Chairman. “In addition to the conformation dog show, we'll have the hardest working dogs in the nation at the AKC National Obedience Invitational and AKC Agility Invitational. Nearly 40% of our entry also comes from the Bred-By-Exhibitor competition, which showcases dogs bred by AKC breeders, the backbone of our sport.”

The Long Beach Convention Center has long been the home to the Dog Hair & Eggnog Cluster of dog shows held by local kennel clubs. The Kennel Club of Beverly Hills, Los Encinos Kennel Club and Long Beach Kennel Club shows will precede the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Dec.1-3, 2010, making for five full days of dog shows.

AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY THE NUMBERS

• 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. The Eukanuba World Challenge is a unique event offering top dogs from countries around the world the opportunity to compete for prestigious international recognition. 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.
• Over $225,000 in cash and prizes offered by Eukanuba. Judge Mrs. Jean Fournier of Calhoun, Georgia will select the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show (BIS) winner. The owner(s) of the BIS winner will receive more than $50,000 while the breeder(s) of the Best in Show winner will be awarded $15,000.
• Mrs. Polly Smith of St. Stephens Church, Virginia will select Best Bred-By Exhibitor in Show from the 953 dogs that are entered in the Bred-by-Exhibitor (dogs being shown by their own breeder) 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
• 134 youngsters, ages 9-18, who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based on year-round competition, will compete in Junior Showmanship.
• 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). J & J Dog Supplies is a proud sponsor of the AKC Agility Invitational.
• Obedience – 117 total; 46 breeds from 30 states and Canada. Lubrisyn is a proud sponsor of the AKC National Obedience Invitational.

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.