Clever and Capable Canines Literally Jump Through Hoops to Secure Top Spots at AKC Agility and Obedience Invitationals

-- Nation's Most Obedient and Athletic Dogs Crowned --

LONG BEACH, Calif., Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The winners of the 2010 AKC National Obedience Invitational and the AKC Agility Invitational, sponsored by Eukanuba, LubriSyn and J & J Dog Supplies, were named this weekend in Long Beach, California.

Held December 4 and 5 at the Long Beach Convention Center in conjunction with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, the two events demonstrate the highest level of training and teamwork between dog and handler and are the culmination of thousands of trials held throughout the year.  

"Both our Agility and Obedience Invitationals attracted the top dogs and handlers in the nation, so a win at these events is one of the greatest achievements in a dog's career," said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "With a little dedication, the general public can learn some of the same skills these champions demonstrated this weekend. We recommend that all responsible dog owners enroll their dogs in a local training class, and maybe we'll eventually see them at future Invitationals!"

AKC National Obedience Invitational

The 2010 AKC National Obedience Invitational Champion is NOC OTCH High Times Ris'n Above The Tide UDX7 OM9 RE, a Golden Retriever known as "Buoy," owned by Kathleen Rasinowich-Platt of Papillion, Nebraska.

Obedience trials test a dog's ability to perform a prescribed set of exercises on which it is scored.  More than 110 of the nation's top Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) pointed dogs in the country competed for the coveted title of AKC National Obedience Invitational Champion (NOC) during the two day competition in Long Beach.

AKC Agility Invitational

Five agility dogs and their owners – one dog/handler team in each of the five height categories – were crowned at the event, which brought together more than 470 dogs from across the country and beyond.

Placing first in their height division (8", 12", 16", 20" and 24" respectively) were:

• 8" -  "Popeye" a Pomeranian owned by Gena Zglinski of Houston, Texas
• 12"- "Lilly" a Poodle owned by Alicia Bismore of Hilliard, Ohio
• 16" - "Vixen" a Border Collie owned by Robin Kletke of Woodinville, Washington
• 20" - "Scarlett" a Labrador Retriever owned by Elisa Hirsch of Westlake Village, California and handled by Kate Moureaux
• 24" - "Booster" a Weimaraner owned by Steven Jenks of Covington, Washington and handled by Jef Blake

Agility events allow dogs to demonstrate their athleticism and versatility by racing against the clock and overcoming a challenging course of different obstacles.  Success requires proper training, as it is a sport of physical skill, control, patience and – most importantly – teamwork between handler and dog. There are five different height categories, so dogs compete fairly according to size.

For more information on all the events and additional results, visit http://www.akc.org.  For photos, visit http://www.akc.org/press_center/photo_gallery/high_rez_2010.cfm

The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function.  Along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 20,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog.  For more information, visit www.akc.org.

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.

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SOURCE American Kennel Club