EUKANUBA™ Brand Dog Foods Returns To AKC National Championship As Companion Events Sponsor

ST. CHARLES, Mo., Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- EUKANUBA™ brand dog foods will return to the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin and hosted in Orlando, Florida on December 13-18, 2016, as the sponsor of the companion events. This year the brand, which helped the American Kennel Club create the event in 2001, celebrates 16 years of partnership with the largest dog show in North America.

"As a performance dog food brand, EUKANUBA strives to enhance the lives of dogs by providing products with high quality nutrition," said Brad Wadler, Global Brand Director of EUKANUBA. "After crowning the Best in Show for the past 15 years, EUKANUBA is proud to return to our heritage and focus on the show's companion title winners. Our partnership with the AKC National Championship this year further demonstrates our commitment to helping dogs compete at the highest levels."

EUKANUBA will sponsor competitions and show attractions including:

• AKC Agility Invitational: EUKANUBA encourages dog owners to develop a clear understanding of how proper nutrition will help their dog's performance. To express the brand's commitment to helping dogs perform at their highest level, EUKANUBA will present the AKC Agility Invitational award.
• AKC Obedience Classic: EUKANUBA believes that in order to inspire good behavior in dogs, positive rewards are essential. As the presenting sponsor of the AKC Obedience Classic award, EUKANUBA will show the brand's dedication to helping dogs achieve excellence through obedience.
• North America Diving Dogs Championship: EUKANUBA will sponsor the 2016 North America Diving Dogs Championship, a sport where dogs of all breeds compete in both distance and height by jumping off of a dock into a body of water. North America Diving Dogs titles are recognized through the AKC's Title Recognition Program.
• EUKANUBA booth: The EUKANUBA booth, will feature a BREED SMART™ Hospitality area and brand partner, Canine Companions for Independence. Show attendees who are existing BREED SMART members or members that join the program at the show, will be greeted by EUKANUBA brand representatives available to share the benefits of feeding EUKANUBA products. Booth visitors will also have the opportunity to learn more about the special partnership between EUKANUBA and Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization that provides assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Canine Companions volunteers and assistance dog graduate teams will be present at the booth. Additionally, professional trainers will conduct demonstrations of the dogs' skills.

"From our showcase on the BREED SMART program to the partnerships with Canine Companions for Independence and the North America Diving Dogs, our focus on performance will be apparent at the show," said Wadler. "It is a great honor and privilege to continue our support of the AKC National Championship, while making a positive impact on the lives of dogs."  

Visit: www.akc.org/events/national-championship/  to find out more about the show, and the EUKANUBA sponsored events.

About EUKANUBA™
With over 45 years of research, EUKANUBA™ brand offers a complete food lineup, delivering exceptional nutrition by life stage and breed size to promote peak physical condition and activity. EUKANUBA™ is a pet food brand of Mars Petcare. For more information, please visit www.eukanuba.com or at www.facebook.com/eukanuba.

About Mars Petcare 
Mars Petcare US is the U.S. operations of the world's largest petcare company at the privately-held Mars, Incorporated. Mars Petcare US produces some of the world's most beloved pet care brands, including PEDIGREE® Food and Treats for Dogs, CESAR® Canine Cuisine, IAMS™ Pet Food, SHEBA® Entrees for Cats, WHISKAS® Food for Cats, GREENIES™ Dental Chews and PILL POCKETS™ Treats, NUTRO™ Pet Food, EUKANUBA™ Dog Food and TEMPTATIONS™ Treats for Cats, as well as exclusive brands products for some of the leading retailers in the U.S. Headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., more than 3,700 Mars Petcare US associates make, sell and distribute its high-quality pet food from 20 manufacturing facilities located in communities across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

About American Kennel Club
Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club 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 more than 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 22,000 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 Reunite 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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About NADD
North America Diving Dogs was established in 2013. As the only diving dog organizing that is sanctioned by the AKC, they have an amazing opportunity to bring the fun sport of diving dogs to a whole new groups of dogs and dog lovers. Based out of Midlothian Texas, NADD has 3 Mobile Dock that put of competitions all over the country. NADD also has 26 Sanctioned Facilities that train and host events. To find events near you check out the NADD website at http://northamericadivingdogs.com/ or follow us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/northamericadivingdogs/

About Canine Companions for Independence®
Canine Companions for Independence provides highly-trained assistance dogs free of charge to children, adults and veterans with disabilities. Established in 1975, Canine Companions has trained over 5,200 assistance dog teams, with six training centers across the country including Northern California, Southern California, Florida, New York, Ohio and Texas, and over 3000 volunteers nationwide. Canine Companions is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. The result is a life full of increased independence and loving companionship. For more information, visit cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.

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SOURCE Royal Canin