Watch the AKC Eukanuba National Championships Live, Dec. 13-15! #celebratedogs

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to attend the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships.  It really is one amazing celebration of dogs, from the top show dogs in the world to the very best performance competitors in agility and obedience.

The great news is, even if you're not in Orlando this weekend, you can catch all the action from the big show! For the first time ever, the 2013 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is offering an interactive livestream of the entire event with social sharing capabilities.

Live.Eukanuba.com will begin streaming coverage on Dec. 13 at 12:30 p.m. ET, including coverage of the breed ring, the AKC Agility Invitational, the inaugural Obedience Classic and more. Altogether there will be 300 hours of must-see action!

For your convenience, we're including a couple of our favorite events here! Each will go live once the action starts.

Watch our canine athlete pals compete in AKC Agility Invitational here:


Here, on the main channel,  you'll see all the best videos from AENC this weekend, including Group Judging livestream on Saturday December 14th at 5:30 p.m. EST, and Best in Show livestream on Sunday December 15th at 5:30 p.m. EST.

You can also watch all the breed ring activity. Here come the Havanese!! (what did you expect?!)



We hope you enjoy the show and much as we plan to!


The fun and games continue every Friday with FitDog Friday, the weekly Blog Hop brought to you by To Dog With Love, SlimDoggy and Peggy's Pet Place to promote a healthy active lifestyle for pets (and their people, too!). Join in every Friday by linking up your FitDog story or visiting the blogs in the Hop.

Newest AKC/Eukanuba National Champion: London the Standard Poodle!

I spent last week at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show, and all the fluffing, puffing and strutting culminated last night with the Best in Show competition. Top honors and $50,000 in prize money went to GCH CH Jaset's Satisfaction, a Standard Poodle known as London, owned by Beth Harris, Michele Molnar and Jamie Danburg of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

It was a spectacular event, all the way around. The AKC/National Championship joined a range of canine sporting events all under one roof, including the AKC Agility Invitational, the AKC National Obedience Invitational and AKC Juniors competition in showmanship, agility and obedience.

After the event we got to hobnob with London and his owners and handlers, and I had the chance to hold the ENORMOUS Best in Show ribbon...

It's almost as big as I am! Wow!

But even more impressive is how lovely and friendly London and his entire team are. London's owner Beth Harris says that London actually paces himself during the year by taking time off and enjoying his down time. He has his own Facebook page where it says he enjoys fetching Frisbees, playing with squeaky toys, swimming and chewing on bones ... sounds familiar! And you can find him on Twitter too, at @London_S_Poodle.

Here, London gives us a big smile in the show ring after he was crowned.

We also enjoyed watching the AKC Agility and Obedience Invitationals as well as the Eukanuba World Challenge and the junior competitions. Check out results from all the competitions here and on akc.org.

Nearly 5,000 dogs competed for more than $225,000 in prize money. The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be telecast on ABC on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012. Stay tuned about details of a viewing party on Twitter party where we'll get to relive all the excitement!

The Road to AKC/Eukanuba: Kara Knotek and Ivy go the distance to compete in AKC Juniors Agility

Kara and Ivy

This week we're highlighting several competitors who have overcome all sorts of obstacles to make it to the biggest dog show in the country -- the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Here we chat with Kara Knotek, who is traveling from Moose Pass, Alaska to Orlando with her Corgi Ivy to compete in the AKC Junior Agility Competition.

This is the first year juniors have their own agility competition, held in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational and the AENC at the Orange County Convention Center this weekend.
 

Kara Knotek, age 15, has traveled far and wide to compete in agility with her Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Ivy. Each week since she was 11, Kara has commuted more than one hour each way to train for agility. This week, she has traveled more than 5,000 miles to compete in the AKC Junior Agility Competition.


Kara researched flights, hotels and car rentals; made a budget; and raised over $2,000 in donations in order to travel from Moose Pass, Alaska to Florida!


A sophomore at Seward High School and a member of the Kenai Kennel Club, her other interests include marine science, debate team, and drama classes.

TDWL: Is Ivy your first agility dog?
Kara: No, Ivy is not my first agility dog. I learned agility using my first coach's retired golden retriever, Tucker.  I got Ivy for my 12th birthday.

TDWL: What titles does Ivy have?

Kara: Ivy has an excellent JWW title, Open Fast title, and Open Standard title.

Kara and Ivy with AKC agility judge Don Farage

TDWL: How many years have you been competing in agility -- with Ivy and/or with other dogs?

Kara: I have been competing for four years, three of those wtih Ivy. I also competed with Tucker, the golden retriever, in the NADAC venue. I primarily show AKC with Ivy.

TDWL: Why/how did you get started in agility? (how did you get introduced to agility?

Kara: Every Sunday, I would attend my mom's practice. My mom's coach asked me if  I wanted to learn and run her dog. Of course, I said YES!

Ivy is among 13 dogs competing at the 8-inch jump height in the Junior Agility Competition in Orlando.
Three are Corgis.

TDWL: Have you competed at the Invitational before?

Kara: No, I have not competed at the Invitational before but I did show two dogs at the AKC National Agility Championship this past April.

TDWL: How did you raise the money for your trip?

I held a cheesecake stand at an agility trial. I also asked for sponsorship from area kennel clubs and sportsmen's clubs. I also received generous donations from individuals. I can not thank everyone enough for helping me get to Orlando.

Ivy and Kara on beautiful Tern Lake in Moose Pass, Alaska

It's a long way to Orlando from Moose Pass!

TDWL: What does it mean to you to be coming to the AKC Junior Agility Competition this year? 

Kara:  It is a milestone in my training and showing we are going farther and getting better.


TDWL: Have you ever been to Florida? Is there anything you're looking forward to doing aside from the Invitational?
Kara:  Although I've been in 22 states,  I have not been to Florida. I'd like to see dolphins.

Kara with 3 1/2-year-old Ivy

TDWL: Do you know what you want to do after High School? 

Kara: I'd like to be a veterinarian or work with animal behavior.

TDWL: Is there anything else you'd like to share about Ivy or competing in agility?

Kara: One of my favorite parts of competing in agility is all the friends I have made. My friends have been very supportive, including financially, to make this trip possible. I'd especially like to thank my coaches!


TDWL:  Safe travels and best wishes to you and Ivy in Orlando! 

Road to AKC/Eukanuba: Judith Swan and Taylor, a big-hearted agility dog in a tiny body!

This week we're highlighting several competitors who have overcome all sorts of obstacles to make it to the biggest dog show in the country -- the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Today's focus is on Judith Swan and her Schipperke Taylor, who will be competing in the AKC Agility Invitational, held in conjunction with the AENC in Orlando this weekend. Judith and Taylor are from Silver Spring, Md.

At age 10, Taylor is not only a more "mature" dog, but she's also a rescue who had a difficult start in life. Four years ago, Judith found her in a shelter after she had been turned in by a family. Taylor had to spend some extra time in “jail” because she would not let anyone near her.  On the intake sheet, the family had listed her personality as “weird.” After a few months of obedience training, she came to like other people and became a very loving little dog. It was obvious that Taylor needed a job and she took to agility quickly.  At the age of 10, she has made it to her first AKC Agility Invitational!  

Taylor will be jumping with other "8-inch" dogs at the Invitational, her first time at the event.

TDWL:  Is Taylor your first agility dog? Judith: Taylor is my second agility dog, the first being Georgie, another Schip who is working on her PACH title (still needs points). 

TDWL: What titles does Taylor have? Judith:  Taylor has her MX (Master Excellent) and MXJ (Master Agility Jumpers).  She is 23 points away from her MACH (Master Agility Championship).  So maybe she’ll get it this weekend or maybe after the Invitational at the coming trials in December or January.

TDWL: How many years have you been competing in agility? Judith:  I have been competing about 3 years, so relatively speaking, I couldn’t be called a veteran.

Taylor is the No. 4 Schipperke heading into the Invitational. The top five in each breed qualify.

TDWL: How old was Taylor when you adopted her?

Judith:  Taylor was six years old, according to her intake papers at the shelter.  Now she is 10 and just starting to blossom as an agility dog.

TDWL: Did you have to do anything special to allow her to compete in AKC agility?

Judith:  Taylor has an ILP number so she can compete in AKC trials.

TDWL: Do you find her age has slowed her down or affected her in anyway? Judith: It hasn’t slowed her down much, but she needs to rest a little between trials.  I don’t run her in more than 2 classes per day.  She can’t do outdoor trials because her eyes have aged and she squints in bright sunlight, so she can’t see all the weave poles.  Her eyes may be her eventual limiting factor.

TDWL: How long do you think you'll compete with her? Judith:  As long as she enjoys it.  You can tell she loves to get into the ring.

TDWL: What does it mean to you to be coming to the AKC Agility Invitational this year? Judith: It is fabulous to be able to come and see all the great dogs in every breed.  I am so happy to bring Taylor, who was a “throw away dog” and now has accomplished so much.  I feel this is an acknowledgement of her value as a partner and our ability to work as a team.

TDWL: Is there anything else you'd like to share about Taylor? Judith: For a tiny dog (9 lbs), Taylor is very brave and feisty.  Since her “jailhouse” days, she has come to love people, but will still snarl at other dogs -- although only to get them to move away, not to bite.  It doesn’t matter how big they are either, so I have to keep my eye on her when I get her out of her crate at a trial.  Imagine “Rocky” as he punches the air on his way to the fight ring.

TDWL: Can't wait to see Rocky, I mean Taylor, run this weekend! Good luck to you both!

Road to AKC/Eukanuba: Agility Handler Stephanie Pickerill and Oreo battle back after injury

Stephanie and Oreo

This week we're highlighting several competitors who have overcome all sorts of obstacles to make it to the biggest dog show in the country -- the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Today's focus is on Stephanie Pickerill and her Cocker Spaniel Oreo who will be competing in the AKC Agility Invitational, held in conjunction with the AENC in Orlando this weekend.


At 10 ½ years old, Oreo will be attending his third AKC Agility Invitational.  But what makes this trip even more special for owner Stephanie Pickerill is that Oreo had a collapsed L6/L7 vertebrae injury the first week of August and was paralyzed and unable to walk.  With x-rays, doctor visits, lots of rehab and patience, he has regained feeling in his rear legs.  On only his third time on agility equipment after the incident, he won the high-scoring Cocker Spaniel award at the Capital City Cocker Club agility trial on November 13th. Oreo has his MACH 3 title, which means he's achieved the requirements needed for his master agility championship title three times. Stephanie and Oreo, from Springfield, Va.,  appreciate every minute of their time in the ring together and are looking forward to competing!

Photo by J.J. Hanlon

Stephanie and Oreo earlier this year

TDWL: Is Oreo your first agility dog?
Stephanie: Yes, I got him before my junior year of college, first dog and first agility dog.  He now has three cocker spaniel sisters!


TDWL: How did Oreo get his injury?
Stephanie: I noticed he wasn't quite right the last couple months and was requiring more and more chiropractor and massage visits.  The weekend prior to the "official" injury he ran five first-place finishes.  The following Thursday I got home from work and he wasn't upstairs in the front window waiting for me like usual.  That night he had trouble jumping on the couch, but it wasn't a huge red flag until he didn't jump on the bed to go to sleep like he usually does.


The next day (Friday) I went to work and came home to my worse nightmare. Oreo was at the front door (again not at the front window upstairs), shaking and with an arched back in a statue position.  I rushed him to my vet.  My vet couldn't extend his rear legs at all without him screaming in pain, and he is a very tough dog so we couldn't get x-rays.  He gave Oreo an injection of pain meds and I took him home that night, slept on the floor with him and carried him everywhere. The next morning (Saturday) my vet met me to sedate him to do x-rays, which showed the collapsed L6/L7 vertebrae.  He had a very grim prognosis, and as you can imagine, I was devastated.  The one thing we love to do more than agility was hiking in the woods and like agility, that was out of question. 


TDWL: So scary! What did you do next?
Stephanie:  At first I was devastated cried for many days and nights.  But then I became empowered that I was going to do everything I could to fight this... and Oreo was the best teammate. He has the fight-and-never-give-up-despite-the-odds spunk about him!  At first there were a lot of meds, vet visits, and strict crate rest. Then we slowly built up his endurance to make sure his body could hold up.  A huge thing I had to learn was patience.  At first I was so devastated and emotional, but then I did my best to make every effort to help Oreo recover.

Photo by Barry Rosen

Oreo worked hard to regain his strength so he could do all the things he loves best!

TDLW: Do you find his age has slowed him down or affected him in anyway?
Stephanie: His age has not slowed him down in the least and he still keeps me on my toes.  Even after the injury, the first time he saw equipment he was rearing to go.  However how quickly his body recovered has changed, which is why even before the injury we took it a little easy. And since his injury he's run just two trials -- one day and then a two-day show a month later --  to see if his body would hold up to run two days at the Invitational.

Photo by Mary Susan Billingsley

Proud doggie! 

TDWL: What does it mean to you to be coming to the AKC Agility Invitational this year?  

Stephanie: Not only is it a huge accomplishment to be invited, it is even more bitter sweet as I have the privilege and confidence (with vet approval and my conditioning) that we are able to step in the agility ring and compete together. A couple months ago I thought that would never happen.  However I'm also a little emotional -- running once monthly is my dream now as long as he stays healthy -- and this will be our last invitational. :( 


TDWL: Is there anything else you'd like to share about Oreo?

Stephanie: He's taught me so much about not only the game of agility but about determination, patience and beating the odds. When you put your heart to something you rise to the occasion. And about what being a team is... you take turns being the stronger link  He's a forgiving teammate that holds no grudges.  I couldn't ask for a better teammate in or out of the agility ring.


TDWL: Thank you Stephanie and best of luck to you and Oreo this weekend!

AKC Agility Invitational at the AKC/Eukanuba show

One of the cool things about attending the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando this week is that it's also the site of the AKC Agility Invitational. Since I'm attending as one of Eukanuba's "VIP Bloggers," you can bet I'll spend some time watching the agility dogs since my Havanese Cosmo has been competing for six years or so.  Cosmo won't be competing at the Invitational, but he's still active in local trials we attend in the Atlanta area.


Here's a quick look at what's going on in agility at the AKC Invitational this week.

• The first AKC Agility Invitational took place in December 2006 in Long Beach, Calif.
• The top five ranked agility dogs in each of the 173 AKC recognized breeds are invited to attend this prestigious event. In addition, FCI membership countries have also been invited to send teams of three dogs per team to this event. The event qualifying period ran from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.   
•  Winners will be crowned in five height classes: 8”, 12”, 16”, 20”, 24”
• On Saturday, dogs will run Excellent-level Standard and Jumpers with Weaves courses. On Sunday, dogs will run Excellent-level Hybrid and Jumpers with Weaves courses. After the completion of four rounds over two days, the top dogs in each jump height will move to the finals. The Finals are open only to the top 57 dogs overall through the four rounds of competition.
• Three hundred and seventy seven (377) Master Agility Champions (MACH) will compete in the 2011 Invitational, including a MACH17. Other champions entered include three National Agility Champions, 105 Breed Champions; 2 Triple Champions; 2 Dual Champions, 5 Field Champions and 2 Obedience Champions.
• California has the largest number of entrants, with 51 dogs entered.
• Breeds ranging from the Great Dane to the Chihuahua will compete in the 2011 event. Several rare breeds entered include the Catahoula Leopard Dog, Coton de Tulear, Eurasier, Kooikerhondje, Peruvian Inca Orchid and Spanish Water Dog. For the first time ever, All-American dogs have been invited to compete. Dogs designated as All-American are mixed breed dogs who can now register to compete in AKC agility, rally and obedience events through the AKC Canine Partners program.
• The inaugural AKC Juniors Agility Competition will run Friday morning prior to the weekend’s AKC Agility Invitational. Juniors participating in the AKC Juniors Agility Competition will be running both Standard and Jumpers with Weaves courses in either the Junior Excellent or Superior Classes, depending on whether they’ve achieved an agility title.
•  To learn more about the AKC Agility Invitational, visit http://www.akc.org/events/agility/invitational/

Cosmo Havanese in the weave poles at a previous event

Also, check out our To Dog With Love Facebook page where we'll post photos of all the action at the AKC/Eukanuba events this week.