Royal Canin Celebrates Top Athletes’ Dogs for AKC National Championship
SPORTS
In honor of the 25th anniversary of North America's largest dog show, the pet health nutrition brand partners with athletes to celebrate the MVPs of our lives: our dogs.
In the world of elite sports, dedication, training, and peak nutrition are everything. But for many top athletes, the real motivation and greatest source of support comes from their four-legged companions.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of the American Kennel Club (AKC) National Championship, ROYAL CANIN® U.S. has recruited an all-star team of well-known human athletes and their dogs, celebrating the MVPs, Most Valuable Pups, of our lives.
This year's Most Valuable Pup (MVP) team features:
Michelle Wie West: LPGA Icon and Major Champion.
Fernando Mendoza: Indiana Hoosiers Quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist.
Asia Muhammad: 13-Time WTA Doubles Champion.
While these human athletes compete in golf, football, and tennis, they are united by the common thread of their deep love for their dogs, saluting both the champion dogs competing for Best in Show and the ones at home who inspire us every day.
Fueling Performance and Love
For professional athletes, the dedication to achieving peak performance mirrors the commitment dog handlers show to their champion canines. Royal Canin, a global leader in science-based pet nutrition, is dedicated to providing breed-specific and specialized diets that help these animals thrive.
“At Royal Canin, we understand the dedication that handlers and dogs put into competing in the national championship, similar to the energy our athlete partners put into their own pursuits,” said Don MacIntosh, vice president of the professional division at Royal Canin North America.
The athletes themselves emphasize the essential support their dogs provide:
Michelle Wie West shared, “Gatsby and Daisy, my English Sheepdogs, and Rome, my Cane Corso, have been by my side through so many important moments in my life. They're my true MVPs, always giving me their best, so I want to give them what they need to thrive. That's why partnering with Royal Canin is an easy choice.”
Fernando Mendoza added that his family’s Labrador Retriever, Scout, “has a way of making everything better just by being there, which is what makes him a real MVP in my book.”
Engaging the Fans
New this year, Royal Canin is introducing the Breederboard, an interactive digital experience where broadcast viewers can vote for their breed MVP based on the show's competitors.
The 2025 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin will air on Sunday, December 28, 2025, from 12 – 3 p.m. ET on ABC. You can tune in to cheer on the competitors and cast your vote on the Breederboard at royalcaninbreederboard.com.