We feel extremely grateful to be able to hold the 20th AKC National Championship this year given the COVID-19 pandemic.
While this year will look and feel very different, we are excited to welcome breeders, exhibitors, judges, Delegates, and superintendents to the Orlando, Florida, Orange County Convention Center to showcase the top dogs in Agility, Conformation, Diving Dogs, Rally, Obedience, and Fast Cat.
This year, the AKC National Obedience Championship and the AKC Rally National Championship will be held during the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. These championships recognize the best of the best in our companion events and we are thrilled to celebrate them.
We also have added a performance event to ANC this year with The Inaugural AKC Fast CAT Invitational. The country’s fastest dogs from each breed, based on rankings from AKC Fast CAT Tests, have been invited to compete for the designation of Fastest Dog USA or Speed of the Breeds Champion. Dogs will compete in two final divisions: Fastest Dogs USA and the Speed of the Breed Championship. The third and final round will be held on Friday, December 11th.
Due to our COVID-19 protocols and enhanced safety measures to protect the safety of everyone, there will be no spectators at the National Championship. Understanding that people in the US and around the world want to see their breed judged, we have found an option so that you can enjoy every minute of it.
Breed judging live streams will be available at www.AKCChampionnshipLive.com. This will mark the first time that the judging of every single breed will be viewable online, in real-time. In order to provide this level of coverage, there will be a one-time streaming fee of $3 for one day of all-breed judging or $5 for both days.
Fees to watch the breed live streams are purely at cost. One-hundred percent of any net proceeds will be donated equally to the following dog-related charities; Take the Lead, AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite, and AKC Museum of the Dog.
The National Championship Groups and Best in Show, Best Bred-by Exhibitor and BBE Groups, NOHS Groups and Finals, Puppy & Junior Stakes Groups and Best in Stakes, Junior Showmanship Finals, Agility, Obedience, and Rally will continue to be livestreamed on a complimentary basis on AKC.tv and will remain available on demand.
This year has been challenging for so many. However, we have seen such resilience amongst our clubs and exhibitors. We have seen the gradual and safe return to events and strong displays of camaraderie across our sports. But in the midst of a great deal of uncertainty, we felt that if we put proper protocols in place and take the necessary precautions to keep exhibitors, delegates, judges, staff, and production crew safe, that we owed it to our community to keep this tradition going. America’s National Championship will go on.
As ever,
Dennis sprung
AKC President/CEO
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