PEKINGESE "DIGGER" WINS AKC ROYAL CANIN NATIONAL ALL-BREED PUPPY AND JUNIOR STAKES

ORLANDO, Fla. , Dec. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunquest Hidden Treasure, a Pekingese known as "Digger" triumphed over 1,756 dogs ages six months to 18 months to become the AKC^® Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy of the Year, held today in Orlando, Fla in conjunction with the AKC^® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. "Digger," owned and bred by Kay Canaan of Gaffney, SC, was crowned "Puppy of the Year" by an esteemed panel of judges, consisting of Mr. Carl Liepmann, Ms. Elizabeth Sweigart and Mr. Michael Faulkner, after quality canine competition.

Coverage of the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes is available for replay at AKC.tv.

The winners:

Group Winners

After winning Best of Breed competitions, the following top dogs went on to win in their respective groups and compete for Puppy/Junior of the Year:

Sporting: Loretta Riu Dunamar, a Labrador Retriever known as "Riu," owned and bred by Juan Carbonell of San Antonio, TX.

Hound: Flessner's Music To My Ears, a Bloodhound known as "Tuba," owned by M. Bettis, H. Buehner, J. Edwards, and C. Flessner of Orlando, FL and bred by Bryan Flessner/Chris Flessner/Heather Helmer.

Working: Karolaska Lead On Good Shepherd, a Great Pyrenees known as "Noah," owned by Kimberly Kentopp & D Nagler of Palm City, FL and bred by Kimberly Kentopp.

Terrier: Kelwyn's Greatest Of All Time, a Scottish Terrier known as "Simone," owned and bred by Kelli Edell of Richmond, TX.

Toy: Sunquest Hidden Treasure, a Pekingese known as "Digger," owned and bred by Kay Canaan of Gaffney, SC.

Non-Sporting: GCHB CH Qazara Star Spangled Banner, a French Bulldog known as "JFK," owned and bred by Diane Burvee of Kansas City, MO.

Herding: Kaleef's Champagne Problems, a German Shepherd Dog known as "Mandy," owned by Karigan Bennett of Madison, WI and bred by Sheree Moses Combs.

About the American Kennel Club
Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function.  Along with its more than 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 26,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred and mixed breed dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, scent work, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests.

Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite, the AKC Museum of the Dog, and the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank.  For more information, visit www.akc.org.

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.

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About Royal Canin USA
Royal Canin USA, a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated is a leader in science-based cat and dog health nutrition. Founded by a veterinarian in 1968, Royal Canin has more than 50 years of experience in delivering individualized nutritional solutions. In collaboration with an expert team of nutritionists, breeders, and veterinarians from around the world, Royal Canin places cats and dogs at the central point of the innovation process. The ROYAL CANIN® product line offers a range of diets based on size, age, breed, lifestyle, and therapeutic requirements. ROYAL CANIN® diets are available at veterinary hospitals and pet specialty stores nationwide. To learn more about Royal Canin, visit www.royalcanin.com and follow us on Instagram at @royalcaninus.

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SOURCE The American Kennel Club, Inc.