This is your night, champions.
Purina Pro Plan welcomes you to the 68th Annual Show Dogs of the Year Awards. We are proud to partner with Dog News Magazine to bring you this exciting event.
Sunday May 12th
This sport is driven by people who are passionate about dogs. It starts with breeders and owners who believe in the promise of a rising star, and then handlers who bring to life that dog’s potential. In the end, it is the dogs themselves that dazzle us with their glitz and capture our hearts with their never-ending desire to give their all.
Congratulations on a year of extraordinary dogs and setting a world-class standard that inspires us all.
THE 67TH ANNUAL SHOW DOGS OF THE YEAR AWARDS TOOK PLACE ON MAY 9TH 2023
THE EVENINGS PROGRAM
WITH SPECIAL THANKS
Returning to Gotham Hall
Cocktails at 6:00
Dinner at 7:00
HISTORY OF THE EVENT
The first Show Dogs of the Year Awards took place in 1954 and was held in New York City. Winners in 1954 were divided into four divisions: Eastern, Midwest, Southern and Pacific. In 1958 a new division was added, Owner/Handler. The divisions remained the same through 1966, and in 1967 the divisions were changed to reflect the new American Kennel Club group divisions: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy and Non-Sporting. In 1979 the Obedience Trial Champion Award was created for the dog with the most Obedience Trial Champion Points in sanctioned American Kennel Club shows.
In 1983 another group division was added, the Herding Group, per the new group divisions issued by the American Kennel Club. In 1986, the Hall of Fame Award was introduced to honor an individual or individuals that have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of the show dog sport. This esteemed award is presented in recognition of lifetime achievements by dedicated show dog enthusiasts.
The breeder awards began in 1997 to acknowledge the importance of the dedicated people who bring champions to the winner’s ring consistently by creating strong, healthy breed lines. In 2000, the Show Dogs of the Year Awards were moved to the Southgate Towers & Hotel to be closer to Madison Square Garden where the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is held.
Today, The Purina Pro Plan Show Dogs of the Year Awards honors are given to the owners, handlers and breeders of the winners in the seven AKC groups, owner/handler and breeder of the Obedience Trial Champion and an honoree is named for the Hall of Fame. The history of the winners reads as a “Who’s Who” in show dogs over the decades. The Awards are still the most prestigious, coveted awards for owners, handlers and breeders today.