FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS RELEASE
DRAWS LARGEST ENTRY IN HISTORY OF EVENT AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY ROYAL CANIN Dogs from 49 States and 21 Countries Will Vie for Best in Show
NEW YORK, NY (November 20, 2018) —The AKC National Champi- onship Presented by Royal Canin has drawn record entry numbers in its 18th year. An entry of 5,003 dogs will com- pete for the title of National Champion on December 15 and 16, 2018 in Orlan- do, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events including the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes, AKC Agility Invita- tional, the AKC Obedience Classic, AKC National Owner-Handler Series Finals, NADD/AKC Diving Dogs Champion- ship, and the Junior events, the overall show totals top 9,023 entries, making this the largest dog show held in the United States since the AKC 1984 Cen- tennial event and the largest dog show in North America. “The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin is a unique experience that no dog lover should miss,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC Presi- dent and Show Chairman. “With a qual- ity entry thanks to our breeders, and more than 1,000,000 square feet of event space, top canine athletes com- peting in a wide variety of dog sports,
winner will receive $50,000. Mr. Edd E. Bivin of Fort Worth, Texas will judge Best Bred-by-Exhibitor in Show from over 1,063 Bred-by-Exhibitor entries (dogs being shown by their owner/ breeder). Best Bred-By Exhibitor in Show will 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. Edd E. Bivin, Mr. Elliott B. Weiss and Mr. Den- nis B. Sprung. These esteemed judges will determine the winner from 1,306 entries to be crowned the AKC Roy- al Canin National All-Breed (Puppy/ Junior) of the Year. Viewing Coverage: The AKC National Championship evening com- petition will be streamed live begin- ning at 4:45 p.m. each night on AKC. TV and www.akc.org. The Bred-By Exhibitor groups, Junior Showmanship Finals, Best Miscellaneous, agility and obedience will be taped and available on demand at AKC.TV. The Agility finals will be streamed live on AKC.TV. AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals: The AKC NOHS Finals Best in Show competition will be
tons of vendors selling dog-themed items in time for the holidays, more than 160 AKC Meet the Breeds ® booths and more, there is something for every- one at this canine extravaganza.” Events in the one million square feet of canine-centric space during the National Championship week of December 11-16, 2018 include the: • AKC Junior Showmanship Finals • AKC Junior Agility Competition • AKC Juniors Obedience & Rally Classic • AKC National Owner-Handler Series Finals • AKC Meet the Breeds ® • Specialty Shows, Group Shows and the FSS/Miscellaneous Open Show • Orlando cluster, consisting of the Space Coast Kennel Club of Palm Bay, the Brevard Kennel Club, the Central Florida Kennel Club and Orlando Dog Training Club 2018 HIGHLIGHTS: Judges: Judge Mr. Elliott B. Weiss of Novelty, Ohio will select the AKC National Championship Best in Show (BIS) winner. The owner(s) of the BIS
62 • S how S ight M agazine , D ecember 2018
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