-- Breeder/Owner/Handled Champions with Points from Puppy Class Now Eligible --

NEW YORK, NY (April 13, 2007) – The American Kennel Club announced today that dogs may qualify for the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Bred-By-Exhibitor competition by completing their AKC Championship with points from the Bred-By-Exhibitor class and/or Puppy class. In order to retain eligibility, the breeder/owner must handle the dog to all wins in the Puppy and/or Bred-By-Exhibitor classes. The seventh annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be held December 1-2, 2007 in Long Beach, California.

In accordance with existing Bred-By-Exhibitor eligibility requirements, dogs qualifying under this criteria will have a two year eligibility period in which to compete. This makes it possible for dogs, who qualified for the previous show under this new criteria to retain eligibility for competition in the current seventh annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Thus, the eligibility period under the new criteria will be October 11, 2005 to October 9, 2007.

“We realize that some puppies may not be mature enough, or ready to compete in the Bred-by-Exhibitor class, so we are allowing breeders to retain eligibility even if they have obtained points from the Puppy class. The breeder/owner/handler aspect is an important part of our show and that is why we are expanding the criteria,” said AKC Chairman Ronald Menaker. “This new eligibility requirement was formed at the request of breeders. We continue to seek feedback on ways to improve the show with each passing year.”

To receive an invitation to the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, dogs must either be ranked in the top 25 of their breed, have won an AKC all-breed “Best in Show”, National Specialty Best in Show, or earned all championship points, breeder/owner/handled from the Bred-By Exhibitor and/or Puppy classes, culminating during the qualifying period. In addition, top-ranked dogs in each AKC-registered breed are invited from those countries around the world with registries that issue pedigrees acceptable for AKC registration. Invitations under the new criteria will be issued by special, written request from the breeder/owner/handler.

For more information about the seventh annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, please visit www.akc.org. Owners who qualify under this new criteria must request an invitation. To request an invitation for your dog under these new regulations, contact Michael Canalizo at mlc@akc.org or write to American Kennel Club, Attn: Michael Canalizo, 260 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016.