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The World's Top Show Dogs Put Best Paws Forward at...

Dogs In Review's 51st Annual Show Dogs of the Year Awards Presented by Nature's Recipe(R)

Prestigious New York City Event Honored 2005's Top Show Dogs

NEW YORK, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- February 11, 2006 was the day eight great canine competitors of 2005 were crowned the best of the best at Dogs In Review's 51st Annual Show Dogs of the Year Awards, presented by Nature's Recipe(R). These prestigious awards honored the seven dogs, along with their owners, handlers and breeders, who led their respective Groups in the greatest number of Group Firsts won at American Kennel Club sanctioned events. In addition, the obedience trial champion was also honored. Adding to this extraordinary evening were the honorees of the Achievement Awards and Special Industry Awards, acknowledgements for people whose dedication to animals has been unparalleled.

"We are honored to be the presenting sponsor for this prestigious event as we recognize some of the finest show dogs in the country," said Barry Shepard, Managing Director of Del Monte Pet Products, makers of Nature's Recipe. "At Nature's Recipe we are passionate about your dog's health and happiness and have created a line of great-tasting recipes that specifically avoid ingredients that can lead to food intolerance. From champion show dogs to beloved family pets, at Nature's Recipe we are dedicated to creating all-natural dog foods that are designed to meet your dog's special dietary and nutritional needs."

In 2005, the winning show dogs achieved an impressive cumulative 655 Group First wins between them. Presenting the winning dogs with awards were Dr. Carmen Battaglia, noted AKC judge, lecturer and author, and Patricia Craige Trotter, Quaker Oats Hall of Fame (now Show Dogs of the Year Awards) and Kennel Review Hall of Fame inductee. The owners, breeders and handlers of the winning dogs were each presented with a Winkie(TM) award. The Winkie was designed and manufactured by the Southern California Trophy Company, manufacturer of the Oscar used at Hollywood's famous Academy Awards.

In order by group, the 2005 winners of Dogs In Review's 51st Annual Show Dogs of the Year Awards, presented by Nature's Recipe(R) are:

Sporting Group

Champion Telltale Salute (R.B.), an English Springer Spaniel, posted an impressive 88 Group Firsts in 2005. Celie Florence, Delores Streng and Robin Novack own R.B. Celie and Delores are the dog's breeders, while Robin handles the dog in addition to her duties as co-owner.

Hound Group

Weighing in with an impressive 77 Group Firsts was Champion Woody Woodpecker (Woody), a Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen. Woody is owned by Helen Goldberg, MD, Ann & Bill Daily and Gavin & Sara Robertson. Woody was bred by Gavin Robertson and Mike Gadsby, and is handled by Clint Livingston. To date, Woody has 23 Best In Shows, making him the most winning Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen in the history of the breed.

Working Group

Repeating in 2005 as working group champion was Champion Brookwood's Mystic Warrior (Tommie), with 81 Group Firsts. This marked the 11th time a Boxer has won this group. Four-year-old Tommie is owned by Deborah McCarroll-Fagan, Dr. Mark C. Fagan and Lee Ann Brooks. Lee Ann Brooks and Bethany Glenn are Tommie's breeders. Tommie is handled by Gary Steele.

Terrier Group

Claiming the Terrier group crown this year was Champion Stonebroke Right on the Money (Benlow), a Sealyham Terrier owned by Mickey and Linda Low. Benlow finished 2005 with an incredible 88 Group Firsts. Benlow was bred by Howard Stone and Laura Jones, and is handled by Gabriel Rangel.

Toy Group

Racking up the largest number of Group Firsts out of all the winning dogs this year was Champion Yakee If Only (Jeffrey), who amassed a staggering total of 128. Jeffrey is a Pekingese owned by Kit Woodruff. Jeffrey's breeders are Albert Easdon and Philip Martin, and his handler is David Fitzpatrick.

Non-Sporting Group

With 100 Group Firsts Champion Kiyara the Intimadator (Dylan), a Miniature Poodle, took the Non-Sporting group prize. Famed author Jeffery Deaver and Madelyn Warcholik are co-owners of Dylan. Michael Lamb and William Jividen are his breeders. Miyuki Rocha was responsible for handling Dylan.

Herding Group

Champion Kenlyn's Tenacity V. Kaleef (Teena), a German Shepherd Dog bitch, recorded an impressive 93 Group Firsts in 2005. The German Shepherd Dog is the top-winning breed of the Show Dogs of the Year Awards with 19 wins, a new record. Teena is owned by Janet Lange, Sheree Moses and Betty Lou Wood. Kent Boyles and James York are Teena's breeders, and James Moses the handler.

Obedience Champion

OTCH Breakwater Ice Skater UDX JH (Skater), a Golden Retriever Dog, amassed a total of 941 points in 2005 to earn the title of Obedience Trial Champion. Skater is owned by David Gannon. He has owned and trained several breeds of dogs in obedience, field trials and tracking for more than 30 years.

Dogs In Review's Show Dogs of the Year Awards attendees included owners, breeders, handlers, judges, media and representatives of the American Kennel Club and numerous VIPs of the fancy. Dogs In Review's 51st Annual Show Dogs of the Year Awards took place at the Grand Hyatt New York Hotel. For more information, visit http://www.showdogawards.com, and for year-round news and information, read the current issue of Dogs In Review magazine.

About BowTie, Inc.

BowTie, Inc. is the leader in special interest pet magazines, trade magazines, books and websites dedicated to pet-loving consumers, pet-supply retailers, veterinarians, breeders, and pet professionals worldwide. Divisions of BowTie, Inc. include BowTie Magazines, BowTie Press, BowTie News, Thoroughbred Times Company, Global Distribution Services, and AnimalNetwork.Com.

About Nature's Recipe(R)

Nature's Recipe(R) is an all-natural line of premium pet foods that offers the right combination of vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients designed to meet your dog's special dietary needs. Respected and known for helping man's best friend avoid food intolerance, Nature's Recipe(R) features only highly digestible ingredients -- never beef, corn or wheat. And because not all dogs are the same, Nature's Recipe(R) created four main diet formula categories. Each of the formulas, including "Lifestages", "Easy-to-Digest", "Healthy Skin", and "Breed Specific", feature diets developed to address the individual nutritional needs of special pets like yours. For more information visit http://www.naturesrecipe.com.