AVERAGE canines can strut their stuff in this broadband competition, the biggest online dog show in America's history. Competition will be all over but the voting by the time this magazine is uploaded, but proud pet owners across the nation will be awaiting news of the section winners and the ultimate status of Best in Show. This show is online only at www.dogshowusa.com and is open to every dog in the country - mixed breeds and pure breeds alike.
Launched in conjunction with the holiday season, Dog Show USA is presented by Purina, which hosts competition in 11 categories, as follows:
Representation of breed:
- Sporting group
- Hound group
- Working group
- Terrier group
- Toy group
- Non-sporting group
- Herding group
- Mixed breed
Humorous appeal:
- Cutest dog
- Dog owner look-alike
- Best dog trick
Unlike a traditional dog show, where judges evaluate individual dogs for how well they conform to published breed standards, Dog Show USA gives the public a chance to rate all of the dogs for their individuality. There's no age, gender or class discrimination in this dog show. Participants will be vying for prizes including a trip to Philadelphia for the National Dog Show presented by Purina, a one-year supply of Purina dog chow dog food, sweepstakes for a trip for four to Universal Studios in Orlando Florida, iPods and grooming kits.
Last year's show produced an amazing array of winners including Tillie, a dachshund-cocker spaniel mix from Eagle Rock (suburban Los Angeles), who was selected by the public vote as Best in Show. In its inaugural edition, Dog Show USA generated over 14,000 entries in the same 11 categories in place for this year. Almost 15,000 votes were cast by the public in selecting Tillie and the other winners.
Starting on January 4, 2007, the blue ribbon panel judges, including Seinfeld and Dancing with the Stars favorite John O'Hurley and the dean of dog show commentators, David Frei, will select 10 finalists from each category. Once these lucky canines are determined, America will vote online. Dog Show USA has been accepting entries through the holiday season and winners will be announced online on Monday February 26, and at the Chicago Dog Show. The winner will also be featured on-air during an NBC SportsDesk broadcast on March 3, 2007.
"Finally, a dog show that my pets can enter," said O'Hurley, in reference to his two dogs, a Maltese named Scoshi and a rescued mutt named Betty. "They are not show dogs, but they still deserve their own Best in Show opportunity, or at least Cutest Face award. The best thing is that the three of us can check out the field whenever we want to on the website. With 60 million dogs eligible, there is sure to be a lot of competition to scout out."
Other special site features include up-to-the-minute ratings for each dog entered, games, blogs, message boards where dog owners can meet other dog lovers, and webisodes featuring web host and NBC personality Kenan Harkin. Visitors can enter the website for a behind-the-scenes look at the dog show world plus a host of interactive features.
Although the entry period has passed, voting began on January 15 and will continue until February 18, just a week before the announcement of the winners on February 26.
