Canine Athletes from the 50 States, Washington, D.C. and 13 Countries Will Vie for Best in Show
The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin continues to draw impressive numbers. An entry of 5,051 dogs will compete for the title of National Champion on December 18 and 19, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events including the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes, AKC Agility Invitational, the AKC Obedience Classic, AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals, AKC Fast CAT Invitational and the Junior events, the overall show totals top 8,540 entries, remaining the largest dog show in North America.
“We feel extremely fortunate to be in Orlando, FL once again hosting these events despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dennis B. Sprung, AKC President and Show Chairman. “The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin continues to be an event that attracts top-quality canine athletes from around the world, and we will uphold the tradition of this magnificent show in a safe manner. Thanks to the knowledgeable breeders, exhibitors, and judges who make the National Championship a must-see event. Adding to the show are our important Fast CAT, Agility, Obedience, NOHS and Junior competitions.”
2021 Highlights:
Judges: Judge Mr. Dana P. Cline of Albany, GA will select the AKC National Championship Best in Show (BIS) winner. The owner(s) of the BIS winner will receive $50,000. Mr. Elliott B. Weiss of Novelty, OH will judge Best Bred-by-Exhibitor in Show from 1,096 entries and receive $15,000. Best in Stakes at the AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes will be judged by an elite panel: Mr. Dana P. Cline, Mr. Elliott B. Weiss and Dr. Thomas Davies. These esteemed judges will determine the winner from 1,395 entries to be crowned the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed (Puppy/Junior) of the Year.
AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals: The AKC NOHS Finals Best in Show competition will be judged by Dr. Thomas M. Davies, AKC’s Chairman of the Board, on Saturday, December 18. This invitation-only competition is open to the top ten ranked dogs in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series in each breed/variety from the 2021 qualifying year and drew an entry of 816 dogs. The NOHS Group Finals will also be streamed live on AKC.tv.
Viewing Coverage: There will be extensive live coverage throughout each day on AKC.tv and the evening competitions begin live streaming at 4:30pm. The Agility finals will also be streamed live on AKC.tv, available online, on the AKC.tv app which is on the Apple Store and Google Play and Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Altice.
AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY THE NUMBERS
- 195 AKC-recognized breeds are entered to compete
- 5,051 entries in the AKC National Championship
- The largest entries include:
- 141 Golden Retrievers
- 130 Australian Shepherds
- 89 Labrador Retrievers
- 94 Dachshunds (all varieties)
- 85 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- 67 Whippets
- 66 French Bulldogs
- 62 Chinese Cresteds
- 58 Pomeranians
- 58 Collies (both varieties)
- 816 dogs are entered in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals
- 142 juniors, ages 9-17, who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based on year-round competition, will compete in Junior Showmanship
- 1,395 puppies and junior dogs are entered in the AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes
- 1,096 Bred-by-Exhibitors in competition
- 250 dogs entered in the AKC Fast CAT Invitational
OBEDIENCE CLASSIC AND AGILITY INVITATIONAL BY THE NUMBERS
- 248 teams in the two-day AKC Obedience Classic, including 57 breeds and 6 All-American dogs from 33 states.
- 13 Junior Obedience entries and 14 Junior Rally entries in the AKC Juniors Classic, including 12 breeds and 7 All-American dogs from 11 states.
- 676 entries in the AKC Agility Invitational, including 159 breeds from 45 states.
- 77 entries in the AKC Junior Agility Competition (Friday, Dec. 17th).
To get more information about the show, visit us at https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-national-championship/ or on Facebook and Twitter.