First-Ever Eukanuba™ Performance Games to Showcase Extraordinary Dogs over Four Days, Six Events

Games to include a special appearance by country music star and dog enthusiast Craig Morgan

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Aug 30, 2017, 10:00 ET

WILMINGTON, Ohio, Aug. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Eukanuba™, a dog food brand specializing in high-performance nutrition for active dogs, is celebrating extraordinary dogs by introducing the first-ever Eukanuba Performance Games. The four-day, six-event, 25-title games will take place at The Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio, Thursday, Sept. 14, through Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, and will include a special appearance by country music entertainer, TV host and U.S. Army Veteran Craig Morgan who will take part in a special demonstration on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Eukanuba, a dog food brand specializing in high-performance nutrition for active dogs, is celebrating extraordinary dogs by introducing the first-ever Eukanuba Performance Games. The games feature six events, including agility (pictured) and dock-diving, and will take place at The Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio, Thursday, Sept. 14, through Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. Country music entertainer Craig Morgan will also be making a special appearance at the games.

"I come from a family of pet lovers and so it's fun for me to be involved with an event that sheds light on the awesome talents of man's best friend," said Morgan. "As a veteran and lifelong outdoorsman I've been able to see their full potential at work in service to our country and in the field, and the Eukanuba Performance Games will really highlight their skills in a competitive setting where everyone can experience it firsthand."

Eukanuba believes that with extraordinary nutrition, dogs can do extraordinary things. The company fosters this belief through partnerships with organizations that cater to the needs of remarkable dogs. The American Kennel Club, Canine Companions for Independence, North America Diving Dogs and UpDog have teamed up with Eukanuba to support the Eukanuba Performance Games.

"We can't imagine a better way to honor and support extraordinary dogs and their outstanding skills," said Jason Taylor, National PRO Sales Director for Eukanuba. "The Eukanuba Performance Games will serve as a unique opportunity for the general public to see the most renowned canine athletes compete in a variety of events that show the range of their abilities."

The Eukanuba Performance Games will showcase the remarkable talents of dogs through six competitive events throughout the course of the weekend, including:

Fast CAT, sponsored by American Kennel Club: Fast CAT is a timed 100-yard dash race, during which dogs run singularly while chasing a squawker being pulled by a lure operating system.
Dock Diving, sponsored by North America Diving Dogs: Dogs will compete by jumping from a dock into a pool of water. Categories include jumping for distance and Air Retrieve/Vertical.
Disc, sponsored by UpDog: Dogs and their handlers will compete in a variety of games, featuring disc tosses, agility obstacles and more, earning points as they accomplish challenges.

Additional events include Scent Work and Agility, sponsored by American Kennel Club, and Barn Hunt, sponsored by Barn Hunt Association.

"Our goal is to create a weekend filled with opportunities to showcase dogs' astonishing abilities," said Taylor. "This includes selecting events and spaces that will allow competitors to perform at their best and spectators to see the impressive array of skills on display."

Schedule of Events

Event	Thursday, Sept. 14	Friday, Sept. 15	Saturday, Sept. 16	Sunday, Sept. 17
Fast CAT	9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Dock Diving	9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Scent Work	7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.	7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.	7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.	7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Disc	12:00 – 5:00 p.m.	9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.	9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.	9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Agility			7:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	7:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Demo Ring	9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Food Trucks	7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.	7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.	7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.	7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Awards				TBD

In addition to the competitions and appearance with Craig Morgan, a "Commencement Cookout" will be held on Friday, Sept. 15, that will include dinner, entertainment and a celebration of the games' participants. Admittance to the limited attendance event will cost $10, and attendees may register at performancegames.eukanuba.com/registration.

All activities will be taking place at The Roberts Centre, home to Eukanuba Hall. The premier canine and feline event venue provides more than 80,000 square feet of indoor space, plus a 150 foot by 150 foot outdoor dog park, agility and obedience equipment, ring gating, examination tables, hot-water dog bathing facilities, on-site hotel and dining accommodations, RV parking and much more.

"We're truly proud for our brand to be a part of this best-in-class venue for dog and cat events," explains Taylor. "At Eukanuba, we view dogs as more than just pets, and we are committed to making a positive difference in their lives through nutrition so they can be their best – and perform at their peak. There is no better place to see the power of nutrition at work than this venue and these games."

To learn more about the first Eukanuba Performance Games or to view livestreams of the events, visit performancegames.eukanuba.com and facebook.com/eukanuba.

Eukanuba™
With over 45 years of research, Eukanuba™ offers a complete food lineup, delivering exceptional customized nutrition by lifestage, breed size as well as health and performance requirements. Eukanuba™ is a pet food brand of Mars Petcare. You can visit us on the web at http://www.eukanuba.com or at Facebook.com/Eukanuba.

Craig Morgan
A multi-faceted entertainer, Craig Morgan has made a name for himself as a country music icon, TV host, celebrated outdoorsman and patriotic Army veteran. One of country music's best-loved artists, Morgan thrills massive crowds with signature hits, including "Bonfire," Almost Home," "Redneck Yacht Club," "International Harvester," "This Ole Boy," Wake Up Loving You" and the six week #1, "That's What I Love About Sunday." His newest album, A Whole Lot More To Me, released in June 2016, features singles "I'll Be Home Soon" and "When I'm Gone."

Craig received one of country music's highest honors when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. In addition to a prolific country music career, he hosts the award-winning TV show "Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors," approaching its eighth season on Outdoor Channel. Prior to becoming a country music star and TV sensation, Morgan spent seventeen years serving our country in the Army and Army Reserves. He is an avid supporter of America's military personnel and a recipient of the 2006 USO Merit Award.

Engage with him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and get tickets for Operation FINALLY HOME Welcomes "American Stories Tour" with Craig Morgan and very special guests at craigmorgan.com

SOURCE Eukanuba