In celebration of its 125th anniversary, the American Kennel Club (AKC) will waive the invite-only process for its National Championship scheduled for Dec. 12 to 13, 2009, in Long Beach, Calif.
The club said it anticipates a high turnout, which could prompt it to impose a limit on the number of entries. It will return to an invite-only process in 2010, and all dogs that would have qualified for the 2009 show will be invited to the 2010 show, along with the 2010 qualifiers.
The 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will offer classes at the breed level and championship points. Nearly 90 individuals will make up the judging panel. Held in conjunction with the championship will be the Bred-by-Exhibitor, Eukanuba World and AKC’s National Obedience and Agility invite challenges
The Los Encinos Kennel Club, Kennel Club of Beverly Hills, and Long Beach Kennel Club shows will precede the show Dec. 9 to 11 in the same location.