(MENAFNEditorial) NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin has drawn record entry numbers in its 17th year. An entry of 4803 dogs will compete for the title of National Champion on December 16 and 17, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events including the inaugural AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes, , the , , , and the Junior events, the overall show totals top 8600 entries, making this the largest dog show held in the United States since the AKC 1984 Centennial event and the largest dog show in North America.
"The AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin is a must-attend event," said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and Show Chairman. "With more than 1,000,000 square feet of event space, top canine athletes competing in a wide variety of dog sports, tons of vendors selling unique dog-themed items in time for the holidays, more than 160 AKC Meet the Breeds® booths and more, this unique experience is truly a canine extravaganza."
Events in the one million square feet of canine-centric space during the National Championship week of December 12-17, 2017 include the:
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 2017 Highlights: Judges: Judge Mr. Roger R. Hartinger of Cincinnati, Ohio will select the AKC National Championship Best in Show (BIS) winner. The owner(s) of the BIS winner will receive $50,000. Mrs. Paula Hartinger of Cincinnati, Ohio will judge Best Bred-by-Exhibitor in Show from over 1079 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 inaugural AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes will be judged by an elite panel of three All Breed Judges: Mrs. Paula Hartinger, Mr. Roger R. Hartinger and Dr. Steve Keating. These esteemed judges will determine the winner from 1229 entries to be crowned the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed (Puppy/Junior) of the Year.
Viewing Coverage: The AKC National Championship evening competition will be streamed live beginning at 5:00 p.m. each night on and . The Bred-By Exhibitor groups, Junior Showmanship Finals, Best Miscellaneous, agility and obedience will be taped and available on demand at . The Agility final will be streamed live on .
AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals: The AKC NOHS Finals Best in Show competition will be judged by Ms. Patricia W. Laurans of Newtown, Connecticut on Saturday, December 16. 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 2017 qualifying year and drew an entry of 705 dogs. The NOHS Group Finals will be taped and available on demand at .
AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY THE NUMBERS
All 190 AKC recognized breeds are entered to compete. 4,803 entries in the AKC National Championship The largest entries include: 138 Golden Retrievers 125 Dachshunds (all varieties) 108 Australian Shepherds 98 French Bulldogs 96 Labrador Retrievers 72 Rhodesian Ridgebacks 71 Manchester Terriers (both varieties) 67 Poodles (all varieties) 63 Chihuahuas (both varieties) 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 60 Rottweilers 705 dogs are entered in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals. 162 juniors, ages 9-17, who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based on year-round competition, will compete in Junior Showmanship. More than 630 dogs will compete in the North America Diving Dogs/AKC National Championship. OBEDIENCE CLASSIC AND AGILITY INVITATIONAL BY THE NUMBERS
235 entries in the two-day, including 60 breeds from 30 states, Canada and Puerto Rico 35 Junior Obedience entriesand 33 Junior Rally entries in the (Saturday, Dec. 16th for Obedience and Sunday, Dec. 17th for Rally) 716 entries in the, including 166 breeds from 45 states and 4 countries 78 entries in the (Friday, Dec. 15th) To purchase tickets or get more information about the show, visit us at or on and . ABOUT THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB
Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its more than 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 22,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit .
AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Become a fan of the American Kennel Club on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @AKCDogLovers.
ABOUT ROYAL CANIN USA
Royal Canin USA is a leader in science-based cat and dog health nutrition. Founded by a veterinarian in 1968, Royal Canin has more than 40 years of experience in delivering individualized nutritional solutions. In collaboration with an expert team of nutritionists, breeders and veterinarians from around the world, Royal Canin places cats and dogs at the central point of the innovation process. The Royal Canin product line offers a range of diets based on size, age, breed, lifestyle and therapeutic requirements. Royal Canin diets are available at veterinary hospitals and pet specialty stores nationwide. Royal Canin is a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated. To learn more about Royal Canin, visit and "LIKE" us on Facebook at.
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SOURCE American Kennel Club
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