Posted: December 11, 2009, 5 a.m. EST
Top dogs from around the country – and around the world – will descend on Long Beach, Calif., on Dec. 12 and 13 to participate in the ninth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.
The event, which marks the American Kennel Club’s 125th anniversary, will feature nearly 5,000 dogs competing in the National Championship, the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational. In recognition of the registry’s 125th anniversary, the show has adopted an open format, meaning any AKC-registered purebred, unaltered dog can compete for top honors.
In addition, the Eukanuba World Challenge will feature the top dogs from 41 countries vying for $15,000 in prize money. In the 2008 Challenge, international dogs from 52 countries including Brazil, England, Japan and Ukraine competed.
The public is invited to attend the family-friendly event to watch the various dog competitions and visit the Meet the Breeds area, where representatives from up to 161 breeds will share their knowledge and love of their chosen breed.
Several breeds will also make their National Championship debut at this year’s event. The newest breeds to compete include 10 Irish Red and White Setters, six Norwegian Buhund and 15 Pyrenean Shepherds.
The show will be broadcast on Animal Planet on February 6, 2010, at 8 p.m. (EST/PST).