Inside The 12th Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Dog Show

ROYAL STRUT 

"Sky" and his handler take a walk around the ring for everyone to admire. 

NO LOOKING BACK 

A group of Pug participants prepare to be inspected by the show's judges. Best of luck, guys! 

BEAUTY REST 

A Poodle catches up on her beauty sleep to make sure she looks her best at the show.

FRIENDLY CONTEST

Dog handlers introduce themselves and their canine companions as they wait inside the Orange County Convention Center in Florida. 

101 DALMATIAN SPOTS 

A group of dapper Dalmatians get in line before they walk out to the ring. 

INVITE ONLY 

Did you know that the AKC/Eukanuba National Dog Show is invite only? The top 25 dogs in every AKC recognized breed and variety, as well as every Bred-By-Exhibitor Champion, Amateur Owner Handled Champion, Grand Champion, Bronze /Silver/Gold/Platinum Grand Champion and Best in Show winner during the qualification period, are invited to compete. 

JUST CALL ME JOE 

GCH CH Banana Joe V. Tani Kazari, an Affenpinscher also known as "Joe," gives his best pose for the judges. He is owned by Zoila Truesdale and Mieke Cooymans of Seekonk, Mass. "Joe" was the winner of the Toy Group. 

RICKY THE ALASKAN LATIN LOVER 

An Alaskan Malamute named GCH Catanya’s Latin Lover, also known as "Ricky," walked away the winner of his Working Group. Ricky is owned by PJ Kendrick, Armando Martinez and Alisa Syar of Granite Bay, Calif. 

POODLE PRIDE

Del Zarzoso Salvame From Afterglow, a Standard Poodle, stands proudly as he receives the honor of being the best in the Non-Sport Group. He is owned by Michael Gadbsy and Jason Lynn of the United Kingdom.

AIN'T NOTHING BUT A HOUND DOG 

GCH CH Shiraz California Dreamin', a Saluki owned by Nicklas & Ingunn Eriksson of Sweden, was crowned the winner of his Hound group.

BOUVIER BEAUTY 

GCH CH Rocheuses Me And My Shadow Of Cornus, a Bouvier des Flandres known as "Casper" smiles along with his handler as he receives the title of Best in Herding Group. He is owned by F. & C. Dreyfus, H. & C. Johnson, and K. Brown of Colorado Springs, Colo. 

BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM 

GCH CH Casablanca's Thrilling Seduction, a Black Cocker Spaniel known as "Beckham" was dubbed best of the Sporting Group. He is owned by B. Vandeman, C. Douglas, M. Walker and L. Moore of Dallas, Texas.

BEST BRED 

GCH Protocol’s Veni Vidi Vici, a Doberman Pinscher known as "Fifi," was awarded Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Show with breeder/owner/handler Jocelyn Mullins. 

HERO DOGS HONORED 

K9 Kirby, a German Shepherd handled by Detective Christine Kelliher of the Bensalem Township (Pennsylvania) Police Department, is honored at the AKC/Eukanuba National Dog Show. K9 Kirby was one of a handful of dogs to receive the AKC Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence.

SEARCH AND RESCUE CHAMPION

Seven-year-old Keahi was also honored with an ACE award. During her career with Arizona Search Track and Rescue, Keahi has proved to be durable, versatile, and uncannily accurate. Along with her handler, Keahi has found lost children and wandering seniors, led investigators to the bodies of murder victims and recovered key evidence in criminal investigations. 

CHECKING OUT THE COMPETITION

Two dogs sit next to each other outside of the Orange County Exhibition, checking out one another to see how they measure up to their canine competition. 

FACE OFF

They may be pretty and poised on the floor, but it's not unusual to see two dogs go head to head backstage. What happens behind the scenes stays behind the scenes. 

SHOWY SHOW DOG 

A Rottweiler decides to get fancy for the judges with her favorite decorative collar. So chic! 

DOG TIRED

A canine competitor takes a breather while he can. The AKC/Eukanuba show offers five days of some of the most competitive dog showing around. As you can see, it's not easy being a show dog! 

SMILING SWEETHEART 

An Akita is all smiles when he prepares to enter the floor. Why shouldn't he be? He's gorgeous! 

WELL WORTH THE WORK 

In front of a full house at the Orange County Convention Center, “Sky” was crowned “National Champion” by Best in Show judge Mr. Edd E. Bivin after a weekend of intense canine competition.