2005 NZKC PRO PLAN National Dog Show

2005 NZKC PRO PLAN National Dog Show

For the first time ever New Zealand’s premier dog show will be held in the South Island. With a record number of entries and over 140 different breeds participating, the 2005 NZKC PRO PLAN National Dog Show promises to be a highlight on this year’s canine calendar. As well as the old favourites, this year’s show features two new breeds, the Sussex Spaniel and the Italian Corso.

The prestigious title Best In Show, will be hotly contested by more than 1900 dogs as they and their owners travel to Christchurch this weekend. Dogs from Northland to Bluff, plus a few from Australia, will be hoping to impress the four International Judges. This year’s judges come from the United Kingdom, Canada and Denmark.

Lesley Chalmers, President of the New Zealand Kennel Club said, “It is a great thrill to welcome our visiting judges who each have vast experience on the international show circuit. This year, we are also privileged to be the first dog show in the Southern Hemisphere to have been granted recognition by The Kennel Club (UK) as a qualifying show for Crufts.” This means that some of New Zealand’s top dogs may be boarding the plane for Britain in March 2006, as they head off to compete in the world’s oldest and most famous dog show, Crufts.

New Zealand’s 2005 Canine Heroes will be honoured for their outstanding contributions during the Show’s Opening Ceremony. The awards will be presented by PRO PLAN, the Kennel Club’s primary sponsor. “We launched the Canine Heroes awards last year, to recognise the enormous contribution that dogs make in various ways to our communities. The awards are given in three categories, Life Saving, Service Dog of the Year and Pet of the Year. We are delighted to once again have the opportunity to honour three truly exceptional dogs”, says Lal Meyer from Purina PRO PLAN.

During the three days of the National Show, Obedience and Agility will be running parallel with the Breed rings. Also featuring is the final of the Junior Dog Handler’s competition and plenty of family entertainment including Dancing with Dogs, MAF’s sniffer dogs.

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