AKC National Championship

The 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin was, according to our constituency, once again, an overwhelming success. Each year the show continues to grow and draw the top dogs in the country to vie for the title of America’s National Champion. The result was a record-breaking year with more than 5,300 entries in Conformation and nearly 9,400 entries across events! These incredible numbers solidify our standing as the largest dog show in North America. It is an amazing accomplishment of which we and Royal Canin are very proud.

Mounting this extravaganza is no small feat. Every December, after months of planning, we turn 1,000,000 square feet of the Orlando Orange County Convention Center into a canine celebration with several quality local shows, Conformation, Agility, Obedience, and FastCAT, as well as special attractions like Dock Diving, all leading up to the beautiful, newly named Ronald H. Menaker arena where evening Group judging takes place.

This work is the culmination of collaboration between several departments, including Sports and Events, Judging Operations, IT, Conference and Travel, and so many more along with our associates at Royal Canin. These combined efforts create more than an event. They create moments that we cherish and that are added to the annals of AKC history.

We offer our esteemed congratulations to America’s newest National Champion, GCHG Cherokee Legend Encore, a Bulldog known as “Star,” handled by Dennis O’Conner and owned by Alaina Moulton, Kevin Mason, and Natalie Mason of Glen Rose, Texas, and bred by Cody T. Sickle, Sherry Hazelett, and Connie A. Chambers. Star, judged by Mr. Desi Murphy, beat out dogs from the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 20 countries to win Best in Show. It was not an easy task, but Star definitely rose to the occasion.

We also congratulate our Reserve Best in Show winner, GCHG Crivitz Humphrey Bogart Von Diable, a Standard Schnauzer known as “Bogart,” owned by Amy Shaffer, J. Low & W. Matthews III, and T. Skinner of Crivitz, Wisconsin, and bred by Amy Shaffer.

We are very proud of these dogs and breeders, and look forward to their achievements in 2023. And a hearty congratulations to each of our winners during the National Championship weekend in Conformation, Agility, FastCAT, and Obedience. Each event was truly enthralling to watch.

We would be remiss in not thanking every exhibitor, breeder, handler, steward, judge, the AKC and Royal Canin staffs, the superintendent, and the AKC Board of Directors for their participation and dedication that make our events a success year after year.

For those who missed these spectacular events, or want to relive each exciting moment, coverage is available On Demand on AKC.tv, which can be watched via the app on your smart TV, computer or phone.

We are excited for 2023 and look forward to seeing you in the ring!