'Reckon' an Australian Shepherd Wins Best in Show at Tenth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

National Champion Emerges From Nearly 2,500 Canine Competitors

LONG BEACH, Calif., Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show honors and $50,000 in prize money went to CH Propwash Reckon, an Australian Shepherd known affectionately as "Reckon" owned by Leslie Frank and Judy Harrington of Kensington, New Hampshire. Before a crowd at the Long Beach Convention Center Sunday night "Reckon" was crowned "National Champion" by Best in Show judge Mrs. Jean Fournier after a weekend of intense canine competition.  

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship -- recognized as one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world -- joined a range of canine sporting events all under one roof, including the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational. These highly anticipated events featured nearly 3,233 dogs vying for "top dog" bragging rights and more than $225,000.

"We are proud to have Reckon join the family of Best in Show winners at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship," said Show Chairman Ron Menaker. "We had a record-breaking entry this year of highly competitive canine athletes in conformation, agility, obedience and the Eukanuba World Challenge. Congratulations to all the winners!"

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be telecast on ABC Network Television on Sunday, January 23, 2011. Check local listings for airtimes.  

"We're pleased to award Reckon with The Eukanuba Celebration of Champions trophy, which features a likeness of all AKC/Eukanuba National Champions, plus a check for $50,000 and a year's supply of Eukanuba dog food," said Dan Rajczak, Senior Vice President, Global P&G Pet Care and Snacks. "More than 3,000 of the top dogs in the country and around the world came out to enjoy a spectacular weekend, making this truly one of the best dog events in the world."

Best in Show Finalists and Group Winners

After winning Best of Breed competitions the following top dogs went on to win in their respective groups and compete for Best in Show:

Sporting: GCH CH Ripsnorter's Mt View Lookout, a German Wirehaired Pointer known as "Scout" owned by Kiki Courtelis, James & Helen Witt and J. Wilkinson of Paris, Kentucky.  

Hound: GCH CH Starline's Chanel, a Whippet known as "Chanel" owned by Lori, Carey & Nicole Lawrence of Rancho Santa Fe, California. 

Working: GCH CH Aviator's Luck Be A Lady, a Portuguese Water Dog known as "Lady Bug" owned by Victor Malzoni Jr., Jerson Valle and M & C Dugan of Shingle Springs, California.

Terrier: CH Slyfox Sneaks a Peek, a Smooth Fox Terrier known as "Adam" owned by JW Smith of North Collins, New York.

Toy: GCH CH Palacegarden Malachy, a Pekingese known as "Malachy" owned by Iris Love, S. Middlebrooks and David Fitzpatrick of East Berlin, Pennsylvania.

Non-Sporting: GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy, a Bichon Frise known as "Drummer" owned by Barbara Weidner, L. Darman, K. Griffin and C. Ruggles of Wichita, Texas.

Herding: CH Propwash Reckon, an Australian Shepherd known as "Reckon" owned by Leslie Frank and Judy Harrington of Kensington, New Hampshire.

Other top-dogs awarded during the two-day event included the following:

Eukanuba World Challenge

This international event featured top dogs from 43 countries and six continents. Argentina's CH Alex De Akido San, a Doberman Pinscher owned by Andrea F. Laruccia and Dr. Anthony & Sheila DiNardo was awarded a hefty purse of $10,000 along with the title of "Eukanuba World Challenge Champion."

Junior Showmanship

In the Junior Showmanship competition, for handlers from between 9 to 18 years of age, Katie Mazurowski and her English Setter "Lamont" was awarded the coveted title of Best Junior Handler, along with a $2,000 scholarship.

Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Show

GCH CH Kimro's Soldier Boy, a Miniature Pinscher known as "Major" was awarded Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Show, edging out more than 950 dogs representing 39 percent of the total competitors entered in the "Bred-By Exhibitor" competition. Major's owners Kimberly P. Calvacca and Linda & Richard Stark of Westbury, New York were awarded a $15,000 cash prize.  

Best in Miscellaneous Group

CSG Stackem Ups Best Kept Secret, a Treeing Walker Coonhound known as "Vicky" owned by Rebecca Lynn Geffs of Casey, Illinois.

Agility and Obedience Competitions

The 2010 AKC National Obedience Invitational and the AKC Agility Invitational were held in conjunction with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. The two events demonstrated the highest level of training and teamwork between dog and handler and were the culmination of thousands of trials held throughout the year.

The 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.

Five agility dogs and their owners – one dog/handler team in each of the five height categories – were crowned at the AKC Agility Invitational, 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

Download high resolution photos on AKC's Web site at http://www.akc.org/press_center/photo_gallery/high_rez_2010.cfm

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