The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Is Almost Here!

By Amy Fernandez

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship week kicks off Tuesday, December 10 and AKC Event Management Director Michael Canalizo confirms that the total entry again makes it our largest show of the year. Its lead-in all breed events, Brevard Kennel Club, Space Coast Kennel Club of Palm Bay, and Central Florida Kennel Club have a combined entry of almost 9,000. The 2013 AENC entry for 190 breeds has topped out at 4,086 with exhibitors coming from every state. Canalizo notes that BBE entries typically account for at least 25 percent of Breed competition, adding that, “over $51,750.00 in prize money is earmarked for BBE competitors.”

AENC Bred-by-Exhibitor competition has definitely become a major lure for exhibitors. But FSS and Miscellaneous breeds have also comprised a substantial portion of AENC entries from the start. The AKC Agility Invitational and AKC Obedience Classic provided unrivaled public exposure and competitive opportunities for these breeds. More recently, this has been enhanced by the addition of the AENC Open Show. It’s consistently drawn surprisingly large entries. “They now represent the largest overall entry at the show,” says Canalizo. “This year 22 FSS/Miscellaneous breeds are entered. Great representation includes over 20 Grand Basset Vendeen, over 20 Coton De Tulear, and 17 Russian Toy Terriers, just to name a few.”

The Eukanuba World Challenge has also become an AENC signature event. Top ranked dogs from over 40 countries guarantees thrilling competition, but it has had a far greater impact as a global showcase of purebred quality. It also offers American breeders an unmatched opportunity to evaluate foreign bloodlines. We all know that videos and pictures never compare to firsthand observation.

The AENC has changed radically in the last 13 years. These constant improvements and additions have assured its growth and broad popularity. This year’s event introduces several notable revisions to its format such as the addition of a day for specialties and special attractions. However, the biggest change is AENC’s relocation to the North /South Building of the Orange County Convention Center. This move translates into more than one million square feet of space. And that means that every facet of AENC Conformation, Agility and Obedience competition takes place at this venue. Arguably, AENC now requires a facility of this size simply to accommodate its wildly popular Meet the Breeds feature. It has attracted larger crowds of dog lovers each year. This year, 162 clubs will have their breeds on display throughout the weekend.

As usual, AENC will feature a plethora of activities to entertain and educate spectators, but its primary focus has always been the exhibitor. Along with abundant grooming and setup space, the new venue’s spacious rings range in size from 45×60 feet to 60×90 feet.  It just gets better. This year’s new conveniences include Eukanuba Exhibitor Services – “complimentary unloading assistance for those attending the events from Friday through Sunday,” Canalizo explains. That’s not all. Every exhibitor will be receiving the AENC information packet by email. And we’ve all had the delightful experience of receiving crucial exhibitor info in the mail after we have left for the show.

And if you can’t make it to Orlando this year, don’t worry. They have taken care of that, too. You can access streaming video for live coverage from the event. “Dozens of cameras will deliver more than 300 hours of footage.” According to Canalizo, it will include breed judging for all 190 breeds and varieties in entirety, along with agility and obedience, a selection of Friday specialties and special attractions, plus every Breed, Group and Best in Show competition throughout the weekend.

For the latest updates visit http://www.akc.org/nationalchampionship/2013/news.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Nov 26 2013. 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.