Leslie Simis eats lunch before showing miniature poodle Dior. The nation’s top conformation, agility and obedience dogs were competing for national championships and cash prizes at the AKC Eukanuba contest at the Long Beach convention center on Friday. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Vit Kruml of Mission Viejo watches his dog Rudy participate in the “Super Fly” long-distance jumping contest. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Tumoki from Santa Monica says hello to cousin Baluchi from Colorado. Their owners discovered that the two American Eskimos were cousins after comparing their blood lines, though neither the humans nor the dogs had ever met. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Kristina Rickard hugs Bunny, one of the four dogs that disappeared this week when the van in which they were crated was stolen from a motel parking lot in Bellflower. Fortunately, Corgis Bunny and Peter, right, as well as Akitas Trace, center, and DiDi, not pictured, were returned to their owners. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
A Shih Tzu named Sadie prepares to compete in the best puppy category. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
A Leonburger named Patton licks the face of handler Christina Tommila after competing. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
An English mastiff named Brite Star Dueling Desperado naps after winning the best of breed category. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Handlers, owners and fans tend to get quite engrossed in the competitions, but so do their dogs. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
