Nearly 2,500 Top Dogs From 50 States and 40 Countries Compete for $225,000 and Top Honors at Seventh Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

Nearly 2,500 Top Dogs From 50 States and 40 Countries Compete for $225,000 and Top Honors at Seventh Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

Canine Competitors in Conformation, Agility and Obedience Descend on Southern California

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Kennel Club(R) and Eukanuba announced today that 2,444 dogs will compete for a total of $225,000 in cash prizes at the Seventh Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Dec. 1 and 2, 2007 in Long Beach, Calif. The show is held in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational (entries of 470 and 95 respectively) making for a combined entry of nearly 3,000 dogs competing in the three events.

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be simulcast on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 from 8-11 p.m. (ET/PT). Highlights from the AKC Agility Invitational will air on Animal Planet on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 from 8-9 p.m. (ET/PT).

"The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is a unique experience for any dog lover -- whether they are watching it on TV or enjoying it in person," said Ron Menaker, Show Chairman. "With nearly 400,000 square feet of event space, 3,000 dogs in competition, dozens of vendors, 148 educational displays, numerous demonstrations and now 40 international competitors in our Eukanuba World Challenge event, there is nothing that can compare to this complete canine extravaganza."

"The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is a phenomenal event that brings together the best breeders, handlers and champions to encourage and celebrate the excellence of dogs," said Dan Rajczak, general manager, Procter & Gamble Pet Care. "Alongside our partners -- AKC and Animal Planet -- we're proud to be part of one of the most prestigious and well-respected dog shows and to provide a showcase that allows the world to appreciate these amazing animals."

Event highlights include:

-- Eukanuba World Challenge -- This inaugural international competition
will feature top dogs from 40 countries and six continents. Rare
breeds such as the Spanish Greyhound and the Azawakh will compete
against more traditional favorites such as Poodles and Dalmatians for
the title of "Eukanuba World Challenge Winner" and a total of $15,000.
The 2006 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship and 2007 Westminster Kennel
Club Best in Show winner -- "James," an English Springer Spaniel --
will represent the U.S.

-- AKC Meet the Breeds(R) -- Dog enthusiasts will have the opportunity to
get up close and personal with 148 breeds, as the AKC/Eukanuba National
Championship continues its honored tradition of highlighting
responsible dog ownership with its "AKC Meet the Breeds" event.
Designed to showcase a wide variety of adult dogs and puppies, breeders
will also be on-hand to share their insights and expertise on unique
canine characteristics. Visitors should make sure to stop by the
booths of the two newest AKC breeds -- the Beauceron and Swedish
Vallhund.

-- The AKC Agility Invitational -- The AKC's fastest-growing canine sport
and one of the most exciting to watch, agility allows dogs to
demonstrate their athleticism and versatility by racing against the
clock and overcoming a challenging obstacle course of tunnels, weave
poles, jumps and seesaws. It's a sport of physical skill, control,
patience and -- most importantly -- teamwork between handler and dog.
The top five ranked agility dogs in each of the AKC recognized breeds
are invited to attend this prestigious event. A total 470 dogs of 129
breeds from 41 states plus Puerto Rico and Canada will compete. The
AKC Agility Invitational airs 8 p.m., (ET/PT). Feb. 10, 2008, on Animal
Planet.

-- AKC National Obedience Invitational -- Obedience trials demonstrate the
usefulness of a dog as a companion to humankind. Accuracy and
precision are essential, but the natural movement of the handler and
the willingness and enjoyment of the dog are also important. To be
invited to this prestigious competition, a dog and handler must be
ranked within the top 10 percent of their breed or be ranked in the top
25 nationwide. A total of 95 dogs of 30 breeds from 44 states and
Canada will compete.

-- Junior Showmanship -- The excitement of competing in the National
Championship isn't just for adults -- 159 Junior Handlers (ages 9-18),
who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based
on year-round competition will compete for prestigious wins and
scholarship money.

-- AKC Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) -- Given annually to dogs in
five categories (Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service
and Exemplary Companion), the ACE Awards commemorate loyal,
hard-working canines that have made significant contributions to their
community. The five honorees and their owners -- including Junior
Handler Francisco Sanguino who discovered the sport of dogs with the
help of his foster mother and a rescued Rottweiler -- have been flown
to Long Beach to receive their awards and be recognized in front of the
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship audience.

For more information visit www.akc.org or topdogshow.com or to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.akc.org/invitational/2007/tickets.cfm.

The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884, maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world. Its rules and regulations govern more than 20,000 canine competitions each year.

Eukanuba offers the most complete food lineup, delivering nutrition that is customized by breed and breed size, as well as health and performance requirements. Eukanuba is a division of Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG), and you can visit us on the Web at www.eukanuba.com or visit Iams at www.iams.com.

Animal Planet, available in more than 93 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection between humans and animals.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

CONTACT: Kurt Iverson of Eukanuba, +1-937-264-7436, iverson.k@pg.com; or
Daisy Okas of American Kennel Club, +1-212-696-8343, dlo@akc.org; or Melissa
Berry of Animal Planet, +1-240-662-2946, melissa_berry@discovery.com; or
Heather Wilkins of PainePR, +1-949-809-6766, hwilkins@painepr.com, for Procter
& Gamble

Web site:

http://www.akc.org/
http://www.topdogshow.com/
http://www.akc.org/invitational/2007/tickets.cfm
http://www.eukanuba.com/
http://www.iams.com/
http://www.pg.com/

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