2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

The 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be a historical event celebrating the 125th year of the American Kennel Club. The show will be held on December 12th & 13th, 2009 at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center in Long Beach, CA. Over 260,000 square feet of space will be utilized for conformation, 30,000 square feet for Obedience, and a 60,000 square foot unique structure will host our AKC Agility Invitational. The AKC Meets the Breeds® will continue to be one of the signature events that takes place over this weekend.

Visit www.akc.org for more details

Over 130 Specialty Clubs will be hosting a Specialty or Supported entry at this event.

The Kennel Club of Beverly Hills, The Los Encino Kennel Club and The Long Beach Kennel Club will hold their all breed dog shows in the same venue on the days preceding the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Many clubs will be holding Specialties, Supported Entries and Sweepstakes at these events. These All Breed Shows will be superintended by Jack Bradshaw Dog Shows.

Cats and Dogs Star Taco Bell Chihuahua dies

Photograph by: Chris Weeks, Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Yo quiero no more: The Taco Bell chihuahua has gone to doggie heaven.

The pooch famous for its role in the late-1990s Taco Bell commercials has died, reports People.com.

Continue reading after the jump.

Groom Expo Animal Behavior Conference

Since 1967, H.H. Backer Associates Inc. has tapped into all facets of the pet trade industry with its trade magazines, trade shows and educational conferences. As a highly respected and progressive force in the constantly evolving pet industry, H.H. Backer Associates Inc. delivers quality buyers and quality results.

October 3-5, 2009, Visit Cardinal at the H.H. Backer Christmas Trade Show and Educational Conference at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemount, IL.

For more information about this trade show, visit www.hhbacker.com

Parrot mimics owner’s voice to boss around her other pets

A parrot that learned to mimic his owner’s voice is using the skill to issue orders to her other pets. A great news from Telegraph.co.uk from How about that? category.

Photo: SWNS

Barney, an African Grey Parrot, calls Margaret Sullivan’s three dogs – Harry, Tilly and Bluey – by name.

The bird, 10, squawks out orders like “come here” and even offers praise to his favourites such as “good dog”.

Mrs Sullivan, 65, who lives in Tredworth, Gloucestershire, with partner Ken Kersey, 62, admitted that Barney has a “very high opinion of himself”.

She said: “Barney’s a really bossy parrot. He even chats back at me and swears when I’m talking sometimes – he’s so cheeky.

“He’s always tried to learn how to speak in my voice but he has got better and better at it ever since I bought him.

“Barney’s got a really high opinion of himself and he certainly likes to think he’s my favourite out of the pets. He’s not – but I would never tell him that.”

Mr and Mrs Sullivan own three dogs, Alsatian-Collie cross Harry, 12, Cairn terrier Tilly, three, and her son Bluey, eight-months.

Mrs Sullivan, a grandmother-of-seven, bought Barney as a young parrot in 1998 and he has been perfecting her voice and accent ever since.

His favourite games is calling out to a cat named Shadow. He then praises him when he does as he is told and sits on top of Barney’s cage.

Mr Sullivan said: “He always says ‘come here’, ‘come on’ and ‘good dog’ to the pets and gives out orders to all the animals in Margaret’s voice.

“It’s uncanny. He mimics her perfectly and when the dogs come over to the cage as if they are following his orders.

“The animals all think he’s Margaret when he speaks. He loves ordering them around and commanding them – it’s very surprising. He’s not frightened or scared of them at all.”

Pet Fashion Week NY for 2009

If you are interested in exploring the pet lifestyle and fashion market, Pet Fashion Week NY 09 is a must see!

In an upscale tradeshow and fashion environment, you will be interacting with the who’s who of the international pet world while viewing the latest trends in high-end clothing, accessories, furnishings, and runway designs.

First will be the debut of our Spring event February 8th and 9th, 2009 at Pier Sixty of NYC’s Chelsea Piers.

We will also be hosting the 4th annual Pet Fashion Week NY Fall event August 22nd and 23rd at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC. Pet Fashion Week NY will also be working with the JPPMA show in Yokohama, Japan March 26-29.

For more information visit www.petfashionweek.com for more details or simply Register Online.