(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — The American Kennel Club (AKC) announces the judging panel for the second AKC Virtual Top Dog Challenge. This virtual conformation competition is open to all AKC recognized breeds including Miscellaneous breeds. Entries close on August 10th at 12pm ET.
Heading the panel as Best in Show and Best Puppy judge is Dr. Donald Sturz, Jr of Brooklyn, NY.
The entry fee to participate is $25 and a portion of every entry will be donated by AKC to AKC Reunite’s Adopt A K-9 Cop program, which works with AKC Clubs to donate K-9 police dogs to police departments around the United States. This donation will be matched by AKC Reunite. Last month’s event generated a $7,000 donation to Take The Lead.
Entrants can go to AKC.org under the Sports and Events tab to enter and get instructions on how to upload their video. Dogs can be entered in one of two classes, Puppy (at least 6 months and under 12 months) or Open Class (any entry including CH of record) in the appropriate breed and sex. Entries are limited to 100 dogs per breed and is on a first come, first serve basis. Video submissions for each class will be judged individually and placed 1st -4th. Submissions will be judged by selected dog people with expertise in their respective breeds.
Breed judging will take place Friday, August 14th beginning at 12pm ET through Monday, August 17th at 6pm ET, with breed winners announced on Wednesday, August 19th. Group judging will begin on Wednesday, August 19th at 12pm ET and conclude on Friday, August 21st at 12pm ET. Group winners will be announced on Monday, August 24th. Best in Show judging will begin on Monday, August 24th and conclude at 12pm ET on Tuesday, August 25th. Best in Show will be announced on Wednesday, August 26th.
Participants must submit a video that does not exceed 2 minutes in length and must include:
• Dog in stack from the front, side and rear
• Display of the appropriate oral exam for the breed (front, front/sides, front/sides/open, front/open)
• View of the dog gaiting (moving) down and back in a straight line and from the side
• Dog presented in free stack
• View of dog moving in profile around in a circle
Judges for the seven variety groups and the Miscellaneous Class are:
• SPORTING – Mr. Elliott B. Weiss
• HOUND – Ms. Celeste M. Gonzalez
• WORKING – Mrs. Paula Nykiel
• TERRIER – Mr. Wood Wornall
• TOY – Miss Evalyn Gregory
• NON-SPORTING – Mr. Johnny R. Shoemaker
• HERDING – Ms. Linda Robey
• MISCELLANEOUS CLASS – Mr. Jeffery M. Bazell
For more information about the competition, please visit here.