There were so many winners in terms of the Fifth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Event, it would take too long to name them all. But by far, and to my mind the greatest, winner was the sport itself.When I talked to the co-breeder and co-owner and handler of Ch. Nanuke's Snoklassic No Boundries, she told me of her plans to give a portion of the winnings, which were close to $85,000, to the Canine Health Foundation, Take The Lead, the Alaskan Malamute Rescue Organization and her local ASPCA. After all, she said, this was money she would never have had and why shouldn't it be spread among thosedeserving dog organizations? And if you were wondering why Sandy is one of the most popular people in the sport, that sort of attitude and reaction to her monetary windfall tells more about her personally than all the Best in Shows in the world ever could. I may add she is also one of the most successful breeders as well, since this dog, called Costello, is a son of the Westminster Group winner in 1997 and one of the top dogs all breed that year. I refer, of course, to the world famous and acknowledged Ch. Nanuke's Takes No Prisoners, a legend in his own right. The owners et al. are Sandra D’Andrea, W. Corr and M. and P. Peel.
As for the overall event, how can it be topped? Really, the conformation competition, while a foundation pillar for the six days, is in reality a $50,000 topping. Of the over 3,400 dogs entered, 2,600-plus were in conformation. Realistically, Costello walked away with over $80,000 of the $225,000 prize monies offered, what with his Best of Breed BIS, awarded by Bob Forsyth. Jane—Bob's wife, of course—was the all breed Best in Show adjudicator, looking, I might add, resplendent in her lovely yellow knit St. John's gown. Of interest, of course, and for what was another first, the TV audience voted Costello as their favorite dog in Best in Show, too. Last year he was fourth in the Working Group and third in the Bred By Group. He has thus won the breed and Best Bred By two years in a row.
While our own predilection may be towards Conformation, let one not forget that crowned as well was Top Junior for those under 18 years of age. This was Michael Brunner of Vancouver, Canada. Also, top Agility teams for the most athletic dogs and tops in Obedience were crowned. In addition, the Meet the Breeds was an overwhelming success as spectators and breeders flocked to these areas in record numbers. Formidable, too, and setting all-time numerical figures were the over 40,000 spectators jamming both the Tampa Convention Center during the day and the St. Pete Times Forum at night. At night, of course, is when the conformation Group finals were televised live on successive nights.
But it was not only the Groups which were honored and adjudicated upon at these nightly extravaganzas. The first night, the AKC Breeder of the Year was acknowledged. The winner from the seven group winners were the Working Group representatives, Dave and Peg Helming of Pouch Cove, Newfoundland fame. This incredible honor is truly one of the most prized to be given in our sport. It symbolizes the culmination of years of devotion and concern for a breed and for the active participants therein. If I have any problem at all with the concept, it is in the execution, which limits contestants who are to be nominated for this honor of honors to have had an exhibit invited to participate in the Invitational itself. A broader field of contestants to include perhaps retired breeders of note could be a positive addition to this feature, don't you think!
On the second night, the ACE awards were given by AKC to recognize the longstanding respect for the extraordinary canine-human bond. It helps emphasize the countless ways dogs meaningfully and courageously contribute to our lives. To my mind, this is a highlight of the show in terms of significance to all dogs in our lives.
I would certainly be remiss not to call your attention to the Show Guide for the event, which is modeled, I would think, after the one produced for Crufts annually. It is a 96-page color tome which covers all aspects of AKC involvement with dogs, as well as a fascinating but abridged history of AKC itself.
Now for you conformation goonies, of which I must admit I am one, once again, I thought the grooming areas and rings for the breeds were too tightly bunched together. Hopefully, in Long Beach in December, this can be rectified, which was a problem the last time in LB insofar as grooming accessibility was concerned. It was difficult, too, to watch the Bred By group judging but certainly the arena area at night was unquestionably superior. In certain instances, I wondered aloud as to how certain people got their breed assignments, while by and large most visiting or foreign judges, I thought, acquitted themselves quite well. The group adjudicating left too much time for the spectators between commercials and other TV messages. Some form of interlude, other than that Frisbee dog, should be found, don't you think?
How, you may ask would, I rate the event itself? A near perfect 10! The conformation end a high 8! I have not seen the TV presentation, but reports filtering back are very positive. See you in December in 2006 in Long Beach—for sure! •