17/11/2025
AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY ROYAL CANIN
CELEBRATES 25TH YEAR WITH ENTRY OF MORE THAN 5,500 DOGS
Canine Athletes from the 50 States, Washington D.C. and Worldwide
Will Vie for Best in Show.
The AKC® National Championship presented by Royal Canin has a grand total of 5,557 dogs that will compete for the title of America’s National Champion on December 13 and 14, 2025 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,
Florida.
Additionally, 1,602 puppies and juniors will vie for Puppy/Junior of the Year in the AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes, and 1,040 dogs will compete for Best Bred-by-Exhibitor in Show.
Combined with the other weekend events, including the AKC®/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes, the AKC® Agility Invitational presented by YuMOVE, the AKC® Obedience Classic, the AKC® National Owner-Handled
Series Finals, the AKC® RACH Invitational, and the Junior events, the overall show entry totals top 9,162 entries, remaining the largest dog show in North America.
"As we come together to celebrate the 25th AKC National Championship presented by Royal
Canin, I’m truly inspired by the passion and dedication our exhibitors have for their dogs and for the sport,” said Gina M. DiNardo, AKC President and Show Chair. “Our breeders, exhibitors, and judges continue to make this event a true showcase of excellence, and I hope this milestone year brings unforgettable memories and lasting friendships. With our exciting Agility, Obedience, Rally, NOHS, and Junior competitions, this 25th Championship promises to be
spectacular.”
AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY THE NUMBERS
• All 202 AKC-recognized breeds are entered to compete
• 5,557 entries in the AKC National Championship
• The largest entries include:
o 149 Golden Retrievers
o 143 Dachshunds
o 110 French Bulldogs
o 106 Chihuahuas
o 105 Australian Shepherds
o 100 Labrador Retrievers
o 82 Whippets
o 60 Pomeranians
o 65 Rhodesian Ridgebacks
o 58 Chinese Cresteds
o 57 Pugs
• The owner of the Best in Show winner will receive $50,000.
• 808 dogs are entered in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals
• 167 junior handlers, ages 9-17, who have met high academic standards and qualification
criteria based on year-round competition, will compete in Junior Showmanship
• 1,602 puppies (6-12 months) and junior dogs (12-18 months) are entered in the AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes
• 1,040 Bred-by-Exhibitors in competition
• The owner of the Best Bred-by-Exhibitor in Show will receive $15,000.
OBEDIENCE CLASSIC, RACH INVITATIONAL AND AGILITY INVITATIONAL BY THE
NUMBERS
• 257 dog and handler teams in the two-day AKC Obedience Classic, including 70 breeds from 37 states.
• 24 entries in the AKC Obedience and Rally Junior Showcase, representing 16 breeds from 10 states.
• 132 entries in the AKC RACH Invitational, including 74 breeds from 35 states.
• 718 entries in the AKC Agility Invitational, including 172 from 44 states and Canada.
• 64 entries in the AKC Junior Agility Competition (Friday, Dec. 12th).
VIEWING COVERAGE
There will be extensive live coverage on AKC.tv throughout the Championship week starting on
Tuesday, December 9th with the first of three All-Breed dog shows. Also streamed live on AKC.tv will be the AKC Obedience Classic, the AKC Agility Invitational, the AKC National
Owner-Handled Series finals, the AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes, the Best Bred-by-Exhibitor groups, Best in Miscellaneous, Junior Showmanship, and the evening group competitions. AKC.tv is available online, on the AKC.tv app which is on the Apple Store and Google Play and Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
To get more information about the show, visit us at https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-national-
championship/ or on Facebook and Twitter.
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