ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL “JAMES” CROWNED AT

SIXTH ANNUAL AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Long Beach, CA (Dec. 3, 2006) — And the winner is … English Springer Spaniel Ch

Felicity’s Diamond Jim, known as “James” of Fairfax Station, VA handled by Kellie L.

Fitzgerald and owned by Mr. & Mrs. Allen Patton, R. Dehmel and D. Hadsall.

Earning a $50,000 cash prize and the title of AKC/Eukanuba National Champion, James

was crowned the nation’s top dog at the conclusion of the two-day competition televised live

from Long Beach, CA. Best in Show judge Robert S. Forsyth of Pinehurst, NC awarded the

National Champion title to James.

In total, nearly 2,500 dogs in every AKC-recognized breed and variety, including 116

competitors from foreign registries representing 16 countries, competed in conformation for

prestigious titles and $225,000, the largest prize money dog show in the world.

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship was once again simulcast live on Animal

Planet and the Discovery Channel.

“Millions of dog lovers around the world witnessed history tonight when James was

crowned the AKC/Eukanuba National Champion,” said Ron Menaker, AKC Chairman. “We

welcome James and his proud owners to this elite group of winners. I also congratulate the

nearly 2,500 dogs entered in this competition -- all are shining examples of their breed.”

“It was a great honor to award James with The Eukanuba Celebration of Champions

trophy, which features a likeness of all AKC/Eukanuba National Champions, plus a check for

$50,000 and a lifetime supply of Eukanuba dog food,” said Dan Rajczak of Eukanuba. “We

congratulate James and his owners and handler for their tremendous accomplishment.”

GROUP WINNERS

Hound: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen – Ch Celestial CJ’s Jolly Fairchild

Working: Portuguese Water Dog - Ch Freestyle Ocean Breeze

Terrier: Sealyham Terrier - Ch Stonebroke Right On The Money

Toy: Toy Poodle – Ch Smash JP Win A Victory

Non-Sporting: Tibetan Terrier - Ch Players Prodigy

Herding: German Shepherd Dog - Ch Kaleef’s Geneva Aeval-Achtung

JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP

And, in the Junior Showmanship competition (for those under 18 years of age) Lauren House

of Auburn, CA with her dog, Ch Srinagar Raga Bahar, or “Bahar,” a Saluki, was awarded Best

Junior Handler, along with a $2,000 scholarship.

BEST BRED- BY-EXHIBITOR IN SHOW

Golden Retriever Ch Shalimar’s Sports Illustrated CD or “Houston,” owned by Terri

Brennan, Laurie Jordan-Fenner and J. Lewis and handled by Laurie Jordan-Fenner of

Oakley, CA was awarded Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Show. Over 950 dogs representing nearly

40 percent of the total competitors were entered in the “Bred-by” competition. Houston’s owners

were awarded a $15,000 cash prize.

VIEWER’S CHOICE

In addition to this year’s traditional competition, dog lovers watching the show voted online for

their favorite dog from among all the Best of Breed winners in each group. The Viewer’s Choice

winners were announced on air during the broadcast. The television audience cast votes for the

Viewer’s Choice award at Animal Planet’s web site (www.animalplanet.com). Thousands of

votes were cast crowning German Shepherd Dog Ch Kaleef’s Geneva Aeval-Achtung

“Geneva” the Viewer’s Choice Award Winner.

MORE INFORMATION

www.akc.org

http://www.press.discovery.com/ekits/nationalchampionship/

www.topdogshow.com

PHOTOS

Download photos online at ftp.discovery.com. View up-to-the minute photography of the winning

dogs, the Best in Show, behind-the-scenes excitement and more! Once you log into the FTP

site, type in Press for username and Screening Room for password. Please note: these are

case and space sensitive.

# # #

The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which

maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees more than 18,000 competitions

for AKC-registered purebred dogs each year. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Canine Health

Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information,

visit www.akc.org.

Eukanuba offers the most complete food lineup, delivering nutrition that is customized by breed

and breed size as well as health and performance requirements. Eukanuba is a division of Procter &

Gamble (NYSE:PG), and you can visit us on the Web at http://www.eukanuba.com or visit Iams at

http://www.Iams.com.

Animal Planet, available in 89 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated

to the emotional connection between humans and animals. The network brings people of all ages

together by tapping into a fundamental fascination with animals through an array of fresh programming

that includes humor, competition, drama and spectacle from the animal kingdom.