AKC National Championship returns to Orlando with 5,700 dogs

Thousands of dogs and their owners are congregating in Orlando this week and weekend as North America’s largest dog show returns to Central Florida.

The AKC National Championship, presented by Royal Canin, which has been coming to Orlando each year for more than a decade, returns to the Orange County Convention Center with a record-breaking entry. On Dec. 16 and 17, 5,762 dogs will compete for the title of America’s national champion.

Along with other events, including the AKC Agility Invitational, the AKC Obedience Classic and the AKC Fast CAT (Coursing Ability Test) Invitational, the overall show adds up to a total of 9,801 entries.

The convention center is filled to the brim with 37 rings (and 69 judges coming from as far away as Australia), plus the agility area and dock diving pool. On Saturday, the sporting, hound, toy and non-sporting breeds will be judged, while Sunday’s competition includes the working, terrier and herding breeds.

The largest entries include 147 golden retrievers, 137 dachshunds,130 Australian shepherds,113 French bulldogs, 103 Labrador retrievers, 90 Chihuahuas, 87 Rhodesian ridgebacks, 74 poodles, 69 whippets, 65 Cavalier King Charles spaniels, 59 Doberman pinschers and 56 Biewer terriers.

The pinnacle of the weekend’s events comes on Sunday evening with the Best in Show competition. The best dog from each group will line up to be judged by Clay Coady, who will select the winner and recipient of the $50,000 prize.

“The most important thing when you’re judging is type. Each breed has a national club,” said Coady, who worked as a professional dog handler for more than 30 years. “Each breed has a size, make and shape, the tail set and the head. All this stuff is well spelled out in these breed standards.”

In addition to judging how well the dog matches its breed standards, or its “type,” Coady will look at a dog’s “soundness,” its attitude and condition.

“In a show like this, you should end up with seven super dogs,” he said. “I’m looking for a dog that will light the ring up. It’s not just a great dog that’s sound and fits the type, but this dog is lit up and exciting.”

Central Florida exhibitor and Dalmatian breeder Mary-Lynn Jensen has had a busy week as all-breed shows, obedience competitions and other events get underway. She is showing Dalmatians and some black and tan coonhounds.

“My dogs do obedience, they do rally, Fast CAT, barn hunt and dock diving,” she said. “This is a hobby that can take on a life of its own. It is a sport of passion.”

In preparing for conformation events, Jensen said the dogs need to be in the “best physical shape possible.”

“You want to make sure their weight is good, their muscle tone is good, they’ve been exercising and their coat is in good shape,” she said. “There are other breeds where a tremendous amount of grooming goes in.”

While each breed has a list of standard criteria, Jensen said there’s still a subjective aspect to judging dogs.

“There’s a written standard that describes the perfect dog, whatever that breed is. There’s still a tremendous amount of interpretation,” she said. “While those words describe the perfect Dobermann, Rottweiler or Dalmatian, our mental pictures are going to look pretty much the same but they won’t be identical.”

As dogs compete in shows, they accumulate points based on how many other dogs they beat. Especially at the giant AKC National Championship, there are canines of all shapes, sizes and specialized skillsets.

“There are smart dogs, there are pretty dogs and there are dogs that are both,” Jensen said. “This is probably one of the best-known shows right up there with Westminster and the Philadelphia Kennel Club, which is the one that airs after the parade on Thanksgiving Day.”

She encouraged public visitors to come and spectate but with one important rule in mind.

“People can always ask exhibitors questions, but always ask before you pet somebody’s dog,” Jensen said. “They just spent 45 minutes fluffing up Fifi’s hair.”

If you go

The AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin is Dec. 16-17 at 9800 International Drive in Orlando. The events are free for public spectators. Parking may cost extra. Coverage also will be available on AKC.tv. For more information, visit akc.org.

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