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NEWS AND EVENTS

Up For the Challenge

Frank T. Sabella is well known worldwide as a prominent judge and was one of the most sought-after and influential professional handlers of his time. His illustrious show handling career garnered over 600 BIS titles along the way. A legend in his own lifetime, he has done it all in the dog sport, a handler, breeder, mentor and judge. Frank is approved to judge all terriers, hounds, toys and non-sporting breeds and several breeds from the remaining groups, his assignments have taken him around the world. He has judged many high profile shows including four times at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship shows awarding BIS in 2003. He judged BIS at Westminster in 1990, a show at which he himself graced their BIS ring and made his presence felt as a professional handler, winning BIS in 1973 with the Standard Poodle "Ch Acadia Command Performance." His grace and showmanship in the ring undoubtedly has to be attributed to his famed success as professional dancer. A career in which he excelled and which included a stint with the New York City Ballet and touring with his own troupe.

Frank enjoys tremendously his judging assignments and is always looking out for that special dog. Over the many years he has trained himself intensely with great self discipline, always judging with the highest level of integrity, striving to find that perfect dog. The late great Anne Rogers Clark once said of Frank "He worked hard to add to his natural eye for movement, balance and proportion, understandable given his background as a dancer, to become a respectable judge". Having enjoyed more than five decades in the sport of dogs, he says youthfully, in his 70's, "Judging keeps me young and I feel like I can give something back to the sport."

Always giving back to the sport in one way or another, in addition to his extensive judging, Frank enjoys being a mentor and presenting seminars. He has authored a number of books including a highly influential dog-handling manual. Over the years he has had many Honors bestowed upon him including Kennel Review Male Handler of the Year and Gaines FIDO Dog Man of the Year.

Frank is truly dedicated to dogdom, and those in the sport hold him in high esteem. He is always willing to take on a new challenge. He enjoyed observing the inaugural Eukanuba World Challenge previously from ringside. This year will see him take centre stage. The four sections will be judged by four international judges, three dogs will be selected from each section to go forward for Mr. Sabella's consideration. He has the honor of selecting and awarding the Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2009 title along with the $10,000 to his ultimate winner. He says "I will thoroughly enjoy this moment. It is a great honor to be asked to select the Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2009 from the 12 finalists chosen by the other four distinguished judges."

Visit www.eukanubaworldchallenge.com

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