LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2009 EUKANUBA WORLD CHALLENGE

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plus What is the 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge?
Hosted at the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, the Eukanuba World Challenge is a competition designed to bring together the top dogs from around the world to compete for the Eukanuba World Challenge Cup and a $10,000 prize. All FCI recognized breeds are eligible to compete in the Eukanuba World Challenge.
plus What are the differences between 2008 and 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge?
In 2009 there will be a few important changes that will enhance the Eukanuba World Challenge and make it even more exciting for the spectators and enthusiasts of the sport. The main changes are:
  • In 2009 FCI, AKC and Eukanuba will extend automatic invitations to the winners of some of the most prestigious shows. They include: World Dog Show, Westminster, and the winners of the FCI sectional shows in Europe, Asia and America.
  • Thanks to this improvement, Eukanuba World Challenge will be opened to all countries as any dog can win one of these prestigious shows.
  • For the first time FCI and Eukanuba will organize Eukanuba World Challenge Semifinal during World Dog Show in Bratislava. This competition will involve around 20 smaller countries with predominantly smaller number of dog registrations. FCI judges will select 3 best dogs which will represent this group of countries in the World Challenge final in Long Beach. It is worth to note that bringing part of the World Challenge to Europe creates another opportunity for new countries to participate in this unique competition.
  • In 2009, dogs participating in the EWC final will be divided into 4 even groups without a preference for the region. Therefore dogs from Europe may be in the same group with dogs from America and Asia. Group selection will take place during World Dog Show in Bratislava in October.
  • Similar to last year, 3 winners of each group will advance to the final competition where the winner of the Eukanuba World Challenge will be selected.
  • Due to the popularity of the Challenge among spectators and breeders, qualifying rounds will be judged in the Main Arena of the Long Beach Convention Centre.
plus Why is Eukanuba organizing semifinals of the World Challenge in Europe?
There are several reasons that justify doing this, however our aim is to introduce Eukanuba World Challenge to all enthusiasts and lovers of the sport of pure bred dogs in Europe. World Dog Show in Bratislava is the perfect location to do this.
plus Will Eukanuba cover traveling expenses of the EWC semifinalists?
Not the semifinalists. We are aware of the fact that top dogs from a number of the European countries will participate in the World Dogs Show. Eukanuba is giving great opportunity to the EWC semifinalists to win the all expense paid trip to the EWC final that will take place in Long Beach in December 2009.
plus Why is Eukanuba organizing this competition?
It is Eukanuba's aspiration to promote and give recognition to magnificent dogs. In order to recognize beauty of the pure bred dogs we are bringing together breeders from around the world, along with their Top Winning Dogs. We are happy to give breeders / owners / handlers the opportunity to showcase their breeding stock by extending an invitation to compete in this unique international competition, The Eukanuba World Challenge. This Challenge enables breeders, dog owners and fanciers from around the world to have an opportunity to appreciate the excellent quality of many of the World's Top Winning dogs. These dogs will have been nominated by the national kennel clubs or in some cases selected, based on their show ring achievements in FCI recognized or UK Championship Shows.
plus When will the 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge take place?
The Eukanuba World Challenge will take place on Saturday 12th and Sunday, 13th of December 2009 in Long Beach California, during the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show.
plus Who can compete in this event?
Breeders / owners / handlers of top dogs selected by national kennel clubs from around the world may compete in the Eukanuba World Challenge. If a national kennel club is not involved in the selection process, the top dog from that country will be selected based on show ring awards / achievements at FCI or UK Championship shows in that country between January and October 2009. In 2009, winners of such shows as World Dog Show, Westminster and FCI section shows from Europe, Asia and America will also receive automatic tickets to participate in the World Challenge.
plus How many countries will be invited to participate in the 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge?
In 2009, we expect around 50 dogs from more than 40 countries to participate in the Eukanuba World Challenge finals in Long Beach. This number is not fixed as in few cases winners of the prestigious shows such as World Dog Show (with an automatic invitation), may be selected by the kennel club to represent his country. However, one should remember that 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge is opened to practically any country as there are automatic invitations to the winners of the prestigious dog shows.
plus What does Eukanuba offer to the invited breeders?
To the dog owners who will travel to the US, Eukanuba will cover costs of a five day trip to Long Beach, California for one person and a selected dog to compete in the 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge. This will include a return plane trip ticket, room and board in the hotel and specific expenses as per applicable terms and conditions (published on www.eukanubaworldchallenge.com website). If the invited breeder or dog owner is a member of the Eukanuba Breeders' Club by August 1st 2009, Eukanuba will pay expenses for an additional person travelling to the Challenge.
plus What other criteria must the invited dog and dog owner meet to participate in the Eukanuba World Challenge?
There are several rules which Eukanuba expects all invited breeders / owners to follow. They can be found on the Eukanuba World Challenge site: www.eukanubaworldchallenge.com in the Rules and Regulations section.
plus How do you select participating dogs?
In principle, Eukanuba is not part of the top dog selection process. Each participating kennel club has been asked to nominate 2 top dogs (1 nominee and 1 reserve). The selection can be the top winning dog based on a rating system or the winner of a designated show or several shows. The FCI may be asked for input on the final selection taking into account different factors which would allow the invited dogs to compete on the highest level. In the event that a kennel club does not wish to or is not able to participate in the dog selection process Eukanuba and FCI will use a ranking or a dog's awards system in key shows to determine the nominee from this country. In 2009 FCI, AKC and Eukanuba have decided to extend automatic invitations to the winners of the most prestigious shows. Currently they include: World Dog Show, Westminster, and winners of the FCI sectional shows in Europe, Asia and Americas.
plus What standards are used to judge dogs during Eukanuba World Challenge?
Judges selected to judge Eukanuba World Challenge are considered as some of the most experienced show judges in the World. All dogs from the FCI countries will be judged according to the FCI standards and in the case of dogs from the UK and USA they will be judged according to the standards of these countries.
plus Whilst attending the Eukanuba World Challenge what other competitions are available for the invited dogs to compete in?
There are 3 definitive competitions where invited dogs and their owners/breeders/handlers can compete. These are: 1. Eukanuba World Challenge, 2. 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship - Regular Breed Class; this invitational show is for the Top Dogs in their breeds from the both the USA and from selected shows from FCI countries around the world, where the breed is AKC recognized. 3. Best-bred-by competition where breeder/owners show their dogs. Please note that if a top dog meets AKC eligibility criteria to compete in the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, that dog can participate in all three events otherwise as a FCI but non AKC recognized breed they will compete in World Challenge.
plus Can all dog breeds participate in the Eukanuba World Challenge?
Yes. All FCI recognized breeds can participate in the Eukanuba World Challenge event. However, one needs to remember that dogs of the breeds not recognized by the AKC will not be able to participate in the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship with a single prize of $50 000 for the winner of the Best in Show competition.
plus Will all dogs compete in the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship?
Only, those dogs which meet AKC eligibility criteria for the show will be able to compete in the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Therefore, dogs which are not included in the list of the AKC recognized breeds will not be able to participate. However, those dogs are still eligible to participate in the Eukanuba World Challenge.
plus How many dogs will compete in the Eukanuba World Challenge and which countries are invited?
In 2009, we have invited dogs and their owners from 50 different countries representing Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North and South Americas, Canada and the Caribbean region. The list of invited countries is available at your national kennel club, FCI or on the Eukanuba World Challenge web page: www.eukanubaworldchallenge.com.
plus How is the winner of the 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge selected?
All participating dogs will be divided into 4 even groups without a preference for the region. The selected Best 3 dogs from each group will go to the final competition where the winner and two runner-ups of the Eukanuba World Challenge will be chosen. Thus, the final of the Eukanuba World Challenge will consist of 12 dogs.
plus Who will be judging 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge competition?
A. AKC has invited renowned international dog judges with many years of experience. Judges will use FCI breed standards to judge dogs from the FCI countries and the UK and US standards for dogs from those countries. The AKC has invited the following judges to judge the 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge.

2009 Eukanuba World Challenge Winner: Frank T. Sabella - Wellington, Fla., United States
Group 1: Sergio Lopes Meira DeCastro, President, Confederacao Brasilerira de Cinofilia - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Group 2: Greg Eva, President, Kennel Union of South Africa - Cape Town, South Africa
Group 3: Carla Molinari, President, Clube Portugues de Canicultura - Alcabideche, Portugal
Group 4: Roberto Velez-Pico, Executive Secretary, Federacion Canofila de Puerto Rico - San Juan, Puerto Rico
plus What prizes are on offer to winners of the Eukanuba World Challenge?
The winner of the 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge will receive a monetary prize of $10 000. Second and third place will be awarded $3000 and $2000 respectively. The Kennel Club of the winning country, which participated in the dog selection process will be eligible for the special prize of $5000.
plus If you are an owner/breeder and would like your dog to be considered as a top dog representing your country in the 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge. To whom should you speak?
The selection process of dogs will be regulated / governed by the national kennel clubs of the invited countries and not by the Eukanuba. Breeders and owners of top dogs interested in participation in the 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge should initially contact their local kennel clubs to discuss the criteria chosen by the kennel clubs to select top dogs for this competition. It is recommended that those who have registered an interest with their Local Kennel Club should then visit their local Eukanuba breeder club, (if applicable).


LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2009 EUKANUBA WORLD CHALLENGE
2008 Eukanuba World Challenge
 
 

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For more information, our Eukanuba World Challenge team would be happy to answer your questions. Contact us via email at eukworldchallenge@iams.com
 
American Kennel Club and Eukanuba National Championship present the Planet?s Greatest Dog Show in Long Beach, California, in December
The American Kennel Club Eukanuba & FCI: Partners in Excellence