AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show Winner Australian Shepherd 'Reckon' Honored with Governor's Commendation

-- Watch Reckon Defeat Nearly 2,500 Top Dogs During the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Broadcast on January 23, 2011, on ABC Television Network --

NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AKC/Eukanuba National Champion and New Hampshire's Top Dog, Australian Shepherd Ch. Propwash Reckon, received an Official Commendation today from New Hampshire Governor John Lynch, congratulating him and owners Leslie Frank and Judy Harrington for his Best in Show win at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, CA on Dec. 4-5, 2010. Dog lovers across the country will be able to relive the excitement and watch Reckon's triumph during the network television premiere of the show this Sunday, January 23rd at 2 p.m. EST on ABC.

Reckon, who defeated nearly 2,500 dogs from 49 states and 40 countries, received the commendation today at a press conference held at the Legislative Office Building in Concord, N.H., joined by representatives from New Hampshire's Environment & Agriculture Committee, the American Kennel Club, and Dogs Owners of the Granite State. Breeder and co-owner Leslie Frank, an AKC Breeder of Merit and the 2010 AKC Breeder of the Year Herding Group winner, was also honored for the decades she has dedicated toward breeding top winners in the show ring as well as wonderful family companions.

"We are very pleased that the State of New Hampshire recognized such a deserving AKC breeder, Leslie Frank. Her lifelong passion of carefully breeding happy, healthy and capable puppies echoes AKC's mission of promoting responsible breeding and dog ownership," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson at the New Hampshire press conference. "Our congratulations go to Reckon as well for a superb performance."

ABC Television Network Broadcast Premiere

Todd Grisham, the lead broadcaster for World Wrestling Entertainment and Fox Soccer Channel's MLS package, will join AKC's Assistant Vice President Gina DiNardo for commentary duties on the ABC Television Network Premiere of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Grisham, with his trademark humor and enthusiasm, along with DiNardo's life-long involvement with purebred dogs, will make for an exciting and fun as well as educational broadcast for all dog lovers. Catch the newly invigorated format at 2 p.m. EST/PST and 1 p.m. CST to enjoy all 167 AKC breeds competing. Special highlights include junior handlers, AKC Breeder of the Year and AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence presentations.

Six new AKC-recognized breeds will make their television dog show debut during the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship broadcast – the Bluetick Coonhound, Boykin Spaniel, Cane Corso, Icelandic Sheepdog, Leonberger, Redbone Coonhound. Watch these diverse breeds – raccoon hunters, herders and companions – in the show ring and learn more about them at www.akc.org.

Join us for the AKC's virtual viewing parties on Facebook and Twitter starting at 2 p.m. for the broadcast. Dog lovers are encouraged to stop by to root for their favorites, participate in pre-event trivia, get some behind-the-scenes info on the show and chat with other dog show enthusiasts. In addition, dog clubs will be hosting viewing parties in their hometowns to celebrate the 10th edition of this internationally prestigious show.

Visit www.akc.org/aenc for more information about the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.

The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884, maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world. Its rules and regulations govern more than 20,000 canine competitions each year.

Eukanuba offers the most complete food lineup, delivering nutrition that is customized by breed and breed size as well as health and performance requirements. Eukanuba is a division of Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), and you can visit us on the Web at http://www.eukanuba.com or visit Iams at http://www.iams.com.

SOURCE American Kennel Club