Lisa Croft-Elliot/(c) Animal Planet
With $225,000 in prize money available, the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is the largest prize-money dog show in the world, according to Animal Planet, which will air highlights from the event on Feb. 6.
Elite dogs competed in several separate events, including Best in Show and AKC invitationals in agility and obedience. In addition, the Eukanuba World Challenge -- presided over this year by Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson -- featured dogs from 41 countries. The event brings together "some of the world's most beautiful and diverse dogs," promises Animal Planet. (Be sure to watch for Sadie, a black Scottish terrier, pictured left, who was ranked the number-one dog going into the competition.)
The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship premieres on Animal Planet and also on the Discovery Channel on Saturday, February 6, 2010, from 8-11 PM (ET/PT).
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I for one am totall turned off by the "beauty contests" for dogs. It's the canine version of Miss America, but thank God that is only once a year, and only the finals of the very top contestants waste our time and money being shown on the chanels we have to pay too much to watch. There is no way for the average citizen to judge these outcomes like they can the talent, and such on the beauty contests, and not much effort is ever made to explain why one example wins over another. They don't perform, or do obedience, so it's just watching some overpaid "trainer" lead them prissing around the ring. NOT EVEN INTERESTING! There are so many much more interesting subjects about animals and their welfare that could and SHOULD be covered by Animal Planet.
I agree, AKC dogs are gay, give me a performance bred dog from a proven line any day.
Hi Marilon,
Trainers are Not highly paid. I was one for 5 years. We enjoy a Lot of work, and on certain years a Lot more work while working the shows. If you do not care for the show, by means, change the channel. Training dogs is Not a game, nor is it cruel or harmful to the dogs being handled. At this point in time, I spend a lot of my free time working with H.S.U.S., dealing with the puppy mills and animals in harms way. This pays Much less. I feel it is my civil duty. My "giving back", if you will. No, it is Not because I feel guilty due to having worked with show dogs for so long. It is because I love animals, whether they be fluffed up, or rail thin and starving.
Cathy
wish i was there
i happen to enjoy the dog shows. besides having friends that train . i find it interesting. it takes alot of time,effort and love which is put into the training of all the breeds plus patience that the trainers must have. there are alot of trainers out there who i would never leave my dogs with, yet there are several good one's also. it is finding the right person for your dog, also it is very expensive!
since I'm one of those shelter dogs only people (or adopted only!) as well as neuter, spay, stop the damn puppy mills, pet shops which runs that industry I am .. well, ashamed that I'm watching anyhow. went to a Madison Square Garden show way back; like 30 something years ago I think... a friend and I went; she and I both had purebreds. hers, a rescued dog, mine a daughter of same. it was a gas! and a total goof! atleast this is the way we looked at it back then (sort of like that movie and THEN some -!?). it is interesting to see some breeds change over the years; how some come back... the people who participate would never 'do' puppy mill stuff. however, the winning dog often becomes, as a breed, so exploited. almost as bad as to have been the starring breed of a Disney flick.
watched some of the show on t.v. i thought that it was wonderful to see the many known and learning about the lesser known breeds. very professionally done. i wouldn't have been the one to judge best in show. they were all beautiful and their handlers were professional and caring.