PHOTOS THIS PAGE BY KAYLA BERTAGNOLLI |
Settling in and Getting Started
Once installed in the grooming areas , competitors got down to the business at hand and found that little else had changed in this , a gem in the triple crown of North American dog shows . Certainly , competition numbers did not disappoint : Dogs from 190 AKC-recognized breeds were entered , and combined with other weekend events ( including the AKC Agility Invitational , the AKC Obedience Classic , the AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals , the North America Diving Dogs / AKC Diving Dogs Championship and Junior events ), overall show totals topped 7,000 entries , making it the largest dog event held in the United States since the AKC Centennial show in 1984 , and the largest dog show in North America . In conformation alone , an entry of 4,710 dogs competed for the title of National Champion , exceeding last year ’ s numbers by well over 500 dogs .
Competitive juices got flowing earlier in the week leading up to the National Championship with the FSS / Miscellaneous Open Show , and the Orlando cluster of shows held by the Space Coast Kennel Club of Palm Bay , the Brevard Kennel Club , the Central Florida Kennel Club and the Orlando Dog Training Club . Supported entries were also held for the Dalmatian , Cavalier King Charles , Havanese , Chow Chow , Coton De Tulear , Sloughi and Glen Of Imaal Terrier , while the American Toy Fox Terrier Club and Norwegian Lundehund Association of America hosted designated specialties . In addition , the United States of America Coton De Tulear Club and the Greater Tampa Bay Collie Club held concurrent specialties . A day of specialty and Group shows was also held on December 16 , which featured a new Best Puppy Competition presented by Royal Canin for dogs 6-12 months of age .
The Royal Celebration Begins
Events for the weekend were kicked off Friday night with the ” Regalia ” hosted by Royal Canin , a “ royal celebration for those who champion purebred dogs .” Attendees enjoyed live
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music , cocktails and hors d ’ oeuvres over lively conversation between old friends and new .
At long last , Saturday arrived , and while the AKC National Championship is a much-anticipated event on the dog fancy calendar , the canine extravaganza was not limited to the interests of competitors . Dog-loving spectators flocked to the show and were dazzled by more than a million square feet of space allocated to a myriad of dog-centric activities . Top canine athletes competed in several disciplines , while a brief stroll away from two pools set up for height and distance dock diving was a “ dangerous ” market area where more than 100 vendors sold unique , necessary and don ’ t-need-it-but-musthave-it-anyway items .
Within striking distance of the market was the immensely popular AKC Meet the Breeds ® area . There , the public got up close and personal with more than 150 breeds and their owners who explained their breed ’ s history and characteristics . Most booths were elaborately decorated to depict a breed ’ s heritage , and many included a historical or pop-culture reference for which the breed is known : An impressive Queen ’ s Guard stood at attention to “ protect ” the Pomeranian display , while Elvis was not only in the building , but helping out at the Basset Hound booth . All displays competed for Best Booth in Show , and this year , the award went to the Rhodesian Ridgeback contingency .
Sharp-eyed observers who thought they saw actor Jerry O ’ Connell walking around the show on Saturday were not mistaken . O ’ Connell , a German Shepherd Dog and Saint Bernard owner , was on hand to videotape segments on purebred dogs , breed standards and behind-the-scenes happenings . O ’ Connell was equal parts “ dog fan ” and “ stranger in a strange land ,” but he was clearly delighted to be there and expressed awe at the “ professional behavior of unaltered dogs to behave around each other .” The spots aired during a broadcast of the show on the Hallmark Channel on January 23 .
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Left : Judge Dr . Anthony D . DiNardo found his Best in Show winner in the Puli GCh . B Cordmaker Mister Blue Sky , handled by Linda Pitts . Bottom : Reserve Best in Show was the Bichon Frisé GCh . P Belle Creek ’ s All I Care About Is Love , handled by Bill McFadden . |