Purina Pro Plan Returns As Presenting Sponsor of the 139th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Months of training and preparation will be on display once again as top dogs from across the nation return to New York City on February 16 and 17 for the 139^th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, presented by Purina Pro Plan for the fourth consecutive year. The prestigious, two-day competition culminates with the crowning of its "Best in Show" winner, a title that has been held by a Purina Pro Plan fed dog for the last eight years.

Purina Pro Plan, which has a rich history in the sport of purebred dogs, has helped elevate some of the world's top dogs to great success through innovative products and exceptional nutrition. The brand is seeking its ninth Purina Pro Plan-fed winner in 2015.

"At Purina Pro Plan, we're dedicated to providing dogs with outstanding nutrition to help them be their absolute best," said Rebecca Schulz, Brand Director at Purina Pro Plan. "Whether it's fueling their training and appearance on the green carpet at Westminster, or their athletic power and mental focus during an agility competition, Purina Pro Plan fuels champions at each stage of life. We are proud to have fueled the last eight straight 'Best in Show' winners, and we hope to continue that legacy this year."

For dog lovers watching from home, Purina Pro Plan is providing an alternative view of the competition via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, offering exclusive behind-the-scenes action and opportunities to get involved:

• Twitter users can enter to win 15 product coupons for Purina Pro Plan by sharing a photo of their dog watching the show to @ProPlan and including the hashtag #WKCDogShow.
• Capturing some of the most candid photos of last year's top dogs, the Twitter Mirror will again be on-hand to provide a dog's-eye-view of the competition and snap tongue-wagging selfies of the competitors just outside the show ring at #WKCDogShow, shared via @ProPlan.
• One of the Internet's favorite Golden Retrievers, @GoldenJays, will be taking over @ProPlan on Instagram, posting live updates from the agility competition on Saturday. Additionally, @TheDogist and @DogsofInstagram will be attending the Westminster Dog Show to share their favorite dogs and moments using the hashtag #ProPlanDogs.
• Fun facts, behind-the-scenes features, quizzes and exciting content will be shared during the competition all day Monday and Tuesday and throughout the week from Pro Plan's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.

Athletic performance will also be showcased during the 2nd Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster, presented by Purina Pro Plan, on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Pier 94 in New York City. Although the dog show is exclusively for purebreds, the agility championship is open to mixed breeds enrolled in the American Kennel Club (AKC's) Canine Partners Program, allowing dogs of all different ages, breeds and sizes to display incredible skills in conditioning, concentration, training and teamwork as their handlers navigate them through an obstacle course against a racing clock. The agility finals will be broadcast from 12 to 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 15 on FOX Sports 1.

For those looking to expand their canine knowledge, the Westminster Kennel Club presents AKC Meet the Breeds® brought to you by Purina Pro Plan on Saturday, Feb. 14,  at Pier 92 in New York City.  Now in its sixth year, Meet the Breeds offers attendees the unique chance to meet and play with over 100 different dog breeds in elaborate booths depicting each breed's history, all while learning about responsible pet ownership and what breed is right for their lifestyle.

The WKC Dog Show, featuring the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups, will be televised from 8 to 11 p.m. EST Monday, Feb. 16, on CNBC, live from Madison Square Garden. The show will culminate from 8 to 11 p.m. EST Tuesday, Feb. 17, on USA Network with judging of the Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups and Best in Show. Almost 3,000 dogs, including the newly AKC-recognized Coton de Tulear and Wirehaired Vizsla, will compete for top honors.

For more information and to follow along during the 2015 Westminster Dog Show, use the hashtag #WKCDogShow, follow Pro Plan on Twitter and Instagram using @ProPlan, at Facebook.com/ProPlan, or visit proplan.com.

About Purina Pro Plan:
Purina Pro Plan is the food of choice for the past eight Westminster Best in Show winners. Our goal is to give your dog the nutrition to be his absolute best, helping him to be energetic and resilient, and maintain an ideal body condition, healthy skin and a stunning coat.  Because being the best he can be means something different for every dog, our wide range of dry and wet foods, snacks and supplement bars, sold exclusively at pet specialty stores, can be found in five specialized categories formulated for a dog's unique needs. For more information, visit www.proplan.com or follow @ProPlan on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Vine or Google+.

About Nestle Purina PetCare:
Nestle Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestle Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestle S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness.

About The Westminster Kennel Club
Established in 1877, The Westminster Kennel Club is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Its world-famous dog show is America's second-longest continuously-held sporting event in America, after only the Kentucky Derby. In 2015, the 139^th Annual Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog show will take place on February 16-17. On the Saturday preceding the show (February 14), the 2nd Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster and The Westminster Kennel Club presents AKC Meet the Breeds brought to you by Purina Pro Plan will take place as part of Westminster Week. www.westminsterkennelclub.org.

About The American Kennel Club
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 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.

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SOURCE Purina Pro Plan

Related Links

http://www.akc.org