AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Update – Iams

AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Update – Iams

ALASKAN MALAMUTE “COSTELLO” CROWNED AT FIFTH ANNUAL AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Same Dog Sweeps Best in Show, Best Bred-By and Viewer’s Choice — Tampa, FL (Jan. 15, 2006) — And the winner is an Alaskan Malamute.…CH Nanuke’s Snoklassic No Boundaries of Lockport, NY, owned/bred by Sandra D’Andrea (tonight’s handler), W. Corr and M. & P. Peel, commonly known as “Costello.”

Earning a grand total of more than $80,000, the title of AKC/Eukanuba National Champion and Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Show (a competition for breeders to exhibit the dogs they own), Costello was crowned the nation’s top dog at the conclusion of the two-day competition televised live from Tampa, Fla. Best in Show judge Mrs. Robert S. (Jane) Forsyth of Pinehurst, NC, awarded the National Champion title. Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Show was judged by her husband, Mr. Robert. S. Forsyth.

In total, 2,648 dogs in every AKC-recognized breed and variety, including competitors from foreign registries representing 20 countries, competed for prestigious titles and a total of $225,000, the largest cash prize in the dog show world.

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship was once again simulcast live on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel. “We welcome Costello into the distinguished group of AKC/Eukanuba National Championship ‘Best in Show’ winners,” said Ron Menaker, AKC Chairman. “And for the first time in the history of our show, the same dog took home all the top prizes. Millions of dog lovers watched him as he moved gracefully and proudly around the ring. But Costello is not the only winner here. We congratulate the more than 2,600 competitors for their achievement in just being invited and look forward to seeing them at the sixth annual National Championship this December in Long Beach, California.”

“It was a great honor to award Costello with The Iams Celebration of Champions Trophy, which features a likeness of all AKC/Eukanuba National Champions, plus a check for $50,000 for Best in Show,” said Jeffrey Ansell, President of The Iams Company. “We congratulate Costello and owners/breeders Sandra D’Andrea, W. Corr and M. & P. Peel for their tremendous accomplishment.”

And, in the Junior Showmanship competition (for those under 18 years of age) Michael Brunner of Vancouver, Canada with his dog, CH Barkerville M’Aimez, or “Mae Mae,” a Longhaired Dachshund, was awarded Best Junior Handler, along with a $2,000 scholarship.

VIEWERS CHOOSE THEIR OWN BEST IN SHOW

In addition to this year’s traditional competition, dog lovers watching the show voted online for their favorite dog from among all the Best of Breed winners in each group. The Iams Viewer’s Choice winners were announced on air during the broadcast. Viewers cast over 156,000 votes at www.animalplanet.com and selected Costello as the Iams Viewer’s Choice Award Winner.

For more information about the Fifth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, please visit www.akc.org or www.topdogshow.com.

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 16,000 canine competitions each year.

The Iams Company, founded in 1946, is committed to enhancing the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods and pet care products and services.

Animal Planet, available in over 86 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection between humans and animals.

Media Contacts:
Kurt Iverson
The Iams Company
(937) 264-7436
iverson.k@pg.com

Daisy Okas
American Kennel Club
(212) 696-8343
dlo@akc.org

Brian Cox
Fleishman-Hillard
(816) 512-2252
coxb@fleishman.com

~~~~~~~~

The Iams Company
7250 Poe Avenue
Dayton, Ohio 45414
Phone: (800) 675-3849

Copyright© 2005 The Iams Company. All rights reserved worldwide.

Please follow and like us: