Eukanuba News

I've told you about the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show in the past. I LOVE it! The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando is taken over by dogs for a whole week. Forget Disneyworld, THIS is the happiest place on Earth for me. There are:

• conformation dog shows
• agility, obedience and rally trials
• dock diving contests
• grooming competitions
• seminars and demos
• lots of freebies
• AKC representatives
• dog show 101 tours
• meet-the-breed booths for every AKC recognized breed
• over 100 dog-centric vendors selling things you don't even know you want yet
• 5000+ gorgeous purebred dogs from around the world

I've been to the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show twice and have already scheduled this year's vacation around it. It's one of the country's biggest dog shows (probably second only to the Westminster Kennel Club dog show) and it's only a three hour drive from my house. So why am I talking about the show three months in advance? Well, a couple of Eukanuba-related things have come up lately that I think are worth sharing.

First off, there's not going to be an AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show this year. Don't panic! (I did.) There's still going to be a week of dog shows in Orlando this December -- it's just that Eukanuba isn't hosting it any more. For the next 15 years the show is going to be sponsored by Royal Canin. (To be honest, my picky dogs won't eat either dog food brands, so I don't care who's doing it.) Royal Canin has promised that the show will be just as wonderful as ever. The most notable difference will be the décor. It will change from Eukanuba pink to Royal Canin's signature red and gold. For information about other changes and to see the line up of events, check out this article from the Canine Chronicle.

And the second bit of news is even more exciting. The German Shepherd Dog Club of North Florida -- my club! -- has been asked to host the German Shepherd Meet-the-Breed booth at the show. We feel honored. And excited. And overwhelmed. And a tiny bit terrified. (OK, maybe that's just me.) We're still in the early stages of this so I don't really have specifics. However, I will be at the AKC National Championship Dog Show Presented by Royal Canin (what a mouthful) in Orlando, Florida on December 17 and 18. If you are going to be there to, please stop by the GSD meet-the-breed booth and say "Hi." I may even have Jedi with me. (It's OK, I know you'd rather meet him.)

Exciting news, isn't it? I'll keep you up-to-date as things develop. And I'll try to remember to take lots of pictures in December. However, longtime readers now I suck at taking pictures. It might be best if you come to Orlando. You know you want to! See you at the show, -- K