Royal Canin U.S. has assembled a team of athletes and their dogs to mark the 25th anniversary of the American Kennel Club National Championship, enlisting LPGA golfer Michelle Wie West, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza and 13-time WTA doubles champion Asia Muhammad.

The collaboration — billed by the company as an ‘MVP’ team — is expected to be showcased in a televised special highlighting competitors and the bonds they share with their animals. The AKC National Championship is a major conformation show that showcases breeders who produce dogs that conform closely to AKC standards, and winning dogs can help increase interest in their bloodlines. What impact does the American Kennel Club (AKC) National Championship have on dog breeding?

The roster pairs high-profile athletes with their family dogs. Michelle Wie West spoke of her animals by name: “Gatsby and Daisy, my English Sheepdogs, and Rome, my Cane Corso, have been by my side through so many important moments in my life,” she said. Fernando Mendoza added that he was honored to join the initiative: “Joining Royal Canin’s MVP team to celebrate the AKC National Championship and the special bond we each have with our dogs is a privilege.” Such events champion the emotional connections between athletes and their dogs, which resonate with the wider dog-owning community, where a substantial share of U.S. households own dogs, according to recent pet ownership surveys.

Don MacIntosh, vice president of the professional division at Royal Canin North America, framed the effort as an extension of the company’s relationship with competitive dog sport. “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,” he said. Dog owners can ensure their pets are healthy and well-prepared for competitions like the AKC National Championship by providing a balanced diet, regular exercise, and routine veterinary care to maintain their peak condition.

The athletes’ dogs named in the announcement include Gatsby and Daisy (English Sheepdogs), Rome (Cane Corso) and Scout (Labrador Retriever). Royal Canin U.S. is presenting the anniversary programming in partnership with the American Kennel Club, and the company is a unit of Mars, Inc.

Royal Canin’s MVP-team announcement was issued widely; a distributed release provides the details of the athletes and their roles with the campaign. The American Kennel Club has long staged the National Championship as its marquee conformation event, and Royal Canin is listed among the event’s presenting partners. The televised programming is expected to celebrate the 25th year of the championship while spotlighting the dedication put forth in both dog preparation and athletic training.

Organizers plan the televised special as a way to celebrate the 25th year of the championship and to spotlight the training and commitment that go into preparing show dogs and athletic competitors alike. The program’s three-hour block on December 28 is intended to reach viewers who follow both human and canine sports.

The announcement cites the emotional side of the athlete–dog relationship. One of the release’s lines recalls a simpler, everyday moment: “Scout, my family’s Labrador Retriever, is always there for me.” That note of companionship threads through the campaign and the programming, framing competition alongside daily life with animals.

Royal Canin U.S., the American Kennel Club and affiliated partners will present the special; the company emphasized parallels between handler preparation for the National Championship and athletes’ training regimens. The effort is part of Royal Canin’s broader engagement with the AKC anniversary.

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