A Look Back at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

By Amy Fernandez

It’s difficult to believe that the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC) is midway through its second decade. Its ongoing success long ago eclipsed early uncertainties about the potential for an AKC-sponsored show, especially an invitational event. AENC continues moving forward, getting bigger and better each year. Conceived in partnership with it sponsor Eukanuba dog food, this unique showcase of canine talent immediately made headlines for its whopping cash prizes, most notably a BIS bounty of $50,000 to spice up a year’s supply of Eukanuba dog food.

Outstanding spectator attendance has also become an AENC hallmark thanks to Meet the Breeds, which is now the centerpiece of a broad range of attractions. However, it’s regarded primarily as the crowning jewel in many the star-studded careers of the best our sport has to offer, beginning with the 2001 Best In Show winner, the record breaking Bichon, Ch. Special Times Just Right.

Handled by Scott Sommer for owners Cecilia Ruggles and breeder/owners Eleanor McDonald and Flavio Werneck – J.R. ended 2000 as the top dog and was retired after becoming the first Westminster winning Bichon two months later. Needless to say, he also topped the 3200 dog invitation list for AENC’s inaugural event on December 12, 2001 in Orlando, Florida. J.R. came out of retirement to defeat over 1,500 challengers, taking his crown as the first National Champion. His subsequent stud career more than validated his 101 BIS career total. The Top Bichon sire for 2002 and 2003, he sired over 60 champions before his death in 2012.

The Kerry Blue, Eng./Am. Ch. Torum’s Scarf Michael was among J.R.’s major adversaries during his sensational show career. Whelped in 1996, Mick earned five BIS and two RBIS to finish 1999 as Britain’s top Terrier. A few months later he kicked off the new millennium with a Crufts Best In Show before hopping a plane to shake up the competition across the pond. Campaigned by Marilu Hansen and handled by Bill & Taffe McFadden, his equally astonishing American career was studded with juicy wins like Morris & Essex Kennel Club in 2000, consecutive Bests at Montgomery County, and three Westminster groups leading up to his 2003 BIS. He ended 2001 as America’s top dog and ranked as the Top Terrier of 2002 when he capped off his year by capturing the second AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on December 11 in Orlando. Mick retired with a total of 109 BIS wins and sired 61 champions by the time of his death in 2011. He also became the trailblazer for Terrier domination at the AENC.

2003 heralded some radical transformations to the National Championship. The substantially expanded roster of events took the first step toward a canine extravaganza. The AKC National Agility Championship and AKC National Obedience Invitational became part of the weekend, making it a premier showcase for canine sports. The AENC also introduced its hugely popular Best Bred-By Exhibitor competition.

That year, a four year-old English import Norfolk Terrier, Eng./Am. Ch. Cracknor Cause Celebre, made it two wins in a row by a Terrier at the AENC. Coco’s breeder, Elisabeth Matell, had finished her in England with six CCs and a Group First. After raising her first litter, Coco arrived in America in January, 2002. Handled by Beth Sweigart, she ended 2003 as America’s top dog. The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship became Coco’s 47th Best In Show that year.

Coco continued her reign as top Terrier in 2004, earning another 22 Bests despite taking a maternity leave. She wasn’t done yet. Shortly after earning her second Westminster Group win in 2005, she returned to England to win Crufts. After going Group Second at Westminster, 2006, Coco retired to life as a housepet until her death in 2011. She remains the breed’s all-time top winner.

The AENC’s glamorous image, lethal competition, and $225,000 prize money rapidly placed it among the dog world’s top honors. In 2005, that coveted plum lured 2451 entries, including 108 foreign dogs from 16 countries. That year’s showdown in Tampa was broadcast live on Animal Planet and Discovery Channel. And millions of dog lovers watched as a four-year-old Bloodhound, Am./Can. Ch. Heather’s Knock On Wood, became the fourth AKC/Eukanuba National Champion. Bred by Heather’s Hounds in Quebec, Knotty was owned by Lyn Sherman, and handled by Ken Griffith. He ended 2004 as America’s top Hound. He went on to win the Hound Group at Westminster in 2005, along with 34 Best In Shows, while securing his place in history as the first BIS winning liver/tan Bloodhound. Sadly, a rattlesnake bite ended his life in 2008.

The fifth annual AENC in Tampa on January 14 -15, 2006 launched the event into mainstream popular culture. Its initial venture into social media launched the ongoing popularity of today’s simulcast by inviting viewers to vote online for their favorite dogs. They responded with more than 156,000 votes that gave a clear margin to the Alaskan Malamute, Ch. Nanuke’s Sno Klassic No Boundaries. Along with the Iams Viewer’s Choice Award, Costello made an unprecedented sweep of the show’s major awards and cash prizes. His co-breeders and co-owners, Sandra D’Andrea, Tex and Patty Ann Peel, and Wendy Corr, took home a jackpot totaling more than $80,000. His subsequent consecutive Westminster group placements were icing on a very fabulous cake.

The AENC returned to Long Beach, California in December, 2006 and a six-year-old Springer became its first winner from the Sporting Group. Handled by Kellie Fitzgerald for owners Terri and Al Patton, Ch. Felicity’s Diamond Jim finished the year with 34 Best In Show, making him top Sporting Dog and second amongst all breeds. His call name, James, was definitely prophetic. It was chosen in homage to his illustrious ancestor, Ch. Chinoe’s Adamant James, who made history as one of the select few two-time Westminster winners in 1971 and ‘72. James carried on the family tradition in 2007 becoming the sixth Springer to go Best In Show at Westminster.

Another AENC signature event was introduced that year. The Eukanuba World Challenge officially acknowledged the growing international element of its competition. The inaugural World Challenge showcased top dogs from 52 countries. A Canadian-bred Sealyham became the third Terrier to seize the National Championship.

Ch. Efbe’s Hidalgo at Goodspice, aka Charmin, soon made it clear that he was much more than “squeezably soft”. His handler/co-owner Margery Good calls herself, “very fortunate to be at the other end of his lead. He did it because I asked him and he was always consistent in the ring.” By the end of 2007 their teamwork had elevated him to America’s Top Terrier and #4 in the all breed rankings. However, he was far from the only rockstar at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship that year. “The level of competition at that show is so high. Of course, I hoped for that win, but never really considered it possible.” Judge Miss Maxine Beam thought different.

Good recalls that moment as “an incredible feeling of euphoria.” In addition to the mind-blowing experience, “His win gave me international exposure as a handler and did so much for the Sealyham breed.” And the $50,000? “I used it to buy my truck.” Aptly christened the Charminmobile, Good says, “Charmin made it possible for us to travel to shows in much more comfort.” He knows this better than anyone because he is onboard every weekend. But that’s not all he has been doing since his retirement. His children and grandchildren have earned top wins all over the world. Charmin ranks as the breed’s top winner with a cumulative record of 95 Best In Shows. In addition to the AENC, his resumé features Best In Show wins at Montgomery, Crufts 2009, and the 2008 World Show in Stockholm. That phenomenal win secured his invitation to the Eukanuba World Challenge at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in 2008, where he finished as runner-up.

That year, another Sporting dog prevailed. Handled by Michael Scott, Ch. Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry shattered every record in Pointer history. She finished undefeated from the 6-9 Puppy Class and went on to win 117 Best In Shows. But 2008 was definitely her year. Her goodie basket included a Group Two at Westminster, BIS at the National Dog Show, and her second Best of Breed at the American Pointer Club National.

On Sunday, December 13, 2009 another Terrier planted its flag on the AENC. Ch. Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, a four-year-old Scottie bitch owned by Amelia and Dan Musser, had blazed through the ‘09 competition. Handled by Gabriel Rangel, Sadie’s year started with a Group First at Westminster and Group Second at Crufts. She wrapped it up with triumphs at Montgomery in October, the National Dog Show November, and the AENC a month later to end the year as the top dog of all breeds. She retired as the eighth Scottie to win Westminster in February, 2010 with a career total of 112 Best In Shows.

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship broke with tradition that year when a two-year-old Australian Shepherd became the first National Champion from the Herding Group. Owned by Leslie Frank and Judy Harrington, Ch. Propwash Reckon was a multiple group winner from the classes before embarking on his European show campaign where he earned BOB at Italy’s Australian Shepherd National Specialty, BIS at the combined specialties in Monte Carlo, and BIS at the ProPlan Cup Invitational. By December 5, 2010 he was primed and ready for his starring role at the AENC.

GCh. Ch. Jaset’s Satisfaction had quite a year leading up to the 2011 National Championship. Handled by Ann Rairigh for owners Beth Harris, Michele Molnar, and Jamie Danburg, London racked up 25 BIS wins as his warm-up for the Poodle world’s ultimate prize, Best Of Breed at PCA. From there he went on to win another 64 Bests, but that wave crested in Orlando, Florida on December 18, 2011 when he became the next AKC/Eukanuba National Champion.

London’s breeder, Chris Bailey, calls her reaction, “It was fabulous, it was exciting. I knew he was competitive, but did I go there expecting to watch him win it? No.” She adds, “It was really special because a number of us were there together. We were up all night.” But she emphasizes that she is first and foremost a breeder. “Yes, he had backers, but we’re small-time breeders. We have been in Poodles for 17 years. In the big picture, that could be a short time. But this is not a business, it is our hobby. Maybe we have one litter a year. It’s never been a numbers game for us. We have always been really conscious of quality, not quantity. London is not an anomaly in our breeding program.”

As for London’s retirement, “He did his job and he did it well. Now he gets to be a dog. He still lives with Ann, and travels with her to all the shows. He never misses PCA.” He’s done a bit more than that. Now six-and-a-half years old, he is hitting his stride as a producer. “Currently his champion offspring total 38, including nine Grand Champions. He is a wonderful, consistent sire and an incredible ambassador for the breed. He is such a great dog,” she says.

It’s fair to say that great dogs are the ongoing theme of this show. In 2012, the AENC became a Terrier replay when the stunning six-year-old Wire bitch, GCh. Afterall Painting the Sky, continued her yearlong winning streak. Owned by Victor Malzoni, Torie Steele, Mary Olund, and Diane Ryan, Sky was handled throughout her career by Gabriel Rangel.

After finishing undefeated, she commenced her takeover at the 2011 World Show in Paris, France. She blazed through an entry of over 30,000 dogs, including 160 Wires, to place third in the Best In Show lineup. When she got home, she got down to business. Her cumulative record of 129 Bests included Montgomery, the National Dog Show, and Westminster 2013. But her owner, Diane Ryan, acknowledges that the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in 2012 was special, especially because Sky’s stardom was completely unanticipated.

“We loved her and she had done some good winning up to the AENC, but I’m the sort of person who never anticipates the most positive outcome. I chalk some of it up to my Midwestern upbringing, but I have shown dogs since the ‘60s and Mary probably even longer. You learn along the way not to count on things too much. Sometimes you win when you shouldn’t, sometimes you don’t win when you should. Never once did we take anything for granted. Mary and I were high up in the bleachers that night and our reaction was genuine surprise and happiness. We stood up and announced to the crowd ‘that’s our dog!’ and ran down to the floor. Ivonne was waiting for us at the entrance. They wouldn’t have let us through otherwise – because we were obviously two crazy people!”

Ryan remembers that night as an endless surprise. “I had attended the AENC when I first moved to California, but knew nothing about the big party afterward. We would have gone back to the room. Sky was there too, eating chicken bits, it was so much fun. She has definitely exceeded my expectations. But I could never have done any of this without Torie and Victor. They have been wonderful.” Sky is now raising her first litter of two girls and three boys.

Throughout her campaign, Sky’s leading rival was a young Portuguese Water Dog, GCh. Claircreek Impression de Matisse. Co-owned by Milan Lint, Peggy Helming and Donna Gottdenker and handled by Michael Scott, Matisse has eclipsed every Working Group record. His war chest was packed with over 90 BIS when he arrived in Orlando for the 2013 National Championship. His record was no guarantee of a win. Like every other aspect of the AENC, the competition becomes more intense each year. More than half of 2013’s top-ranked dogs entered the fray – with most of the year’s top group winners leading the charge. And like every great dog, Matisse was up to the challenge. He’s continued to rack up wins this year and possibly he is destined to become the first two-time National Champion. We will know in a few weeks.

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Posted by ralbee on Nov 11 2014. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.