Tampa, Florida has been filled with smiling faces and wagging tails this weekend, as exhibitors of more than 150 different breeds of dog gathered together for the 2006 AKC/Eukanuba Championships. January 14-15 were the dates when the planet’s greatest dog show would crown the world’s top dog.
Held in the Tampa Convention Center and St. Pete Times Forum, three championship events occurred during this weekend; the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, AKC National Agility Championship and the AKC National Obedience Invitational. Almost 2,500 dogs competed last year, including 108 competitors from 16 different countries and this year was expected to be even larger!
The AKC/Eukanuba Championship offers an impressive monetary award; in fact, it is the only sizeable monetary award in dog shows overall. With cash and prizes totaling more than $225,000, it’s no wonder that everyone is abuzz. The dog chosen as National Champion takes home an impressive $50,000 alone.
And this year’s winner? A beautiful Alaskan Malamute, CH Nanuke’s Snoklassic No Boundaries of Lockport, NY. Owned and bred by Sandra D’Andrea, W. Corr and M.&P.Peel, “Costello” as he is affectionately called, swept up the awards “Best in Show,” “Best Bred-by,” and “Viewer’s Choice.” This is the first time in the history of the show, that the same dog has been awarded all of the top prizes.
Congratulations to Costello, his terrific handler and his wonderful owners!
