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Pro Plan, Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show team up for bracket challenge

By Wesley Coburn

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: Best in Show winner Flynn, a Bichon Frise, poses for photos at the conclusion of the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at The Piers on February 13, 2018 in New York City. The show is scheduled to see 2,882 dogs from all 50 states take part in this year's competition. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: Best in Show winner Flynn, a Bichon Frise, poses for photos at the conclusion of the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at The Piers on February 13, 2018 in New York City. The show is scheduled to see 2,882 dogs from all 50 states take part in this year's competition. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) /
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Purina and the Westminster Kennel Club have teamed up for a bracket challenge during the upcoming 2019 edition of the WKC Dog Show in February.

The 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 11-12, and the most prestigious dog show in the country will be televised on FS1.

For the fourth consecutive year, Purina, through its Pro Plan brand,  and the WKC will be teaming up for a bracket challenge, which could give a lucky fan a $1 million prize.

The contest, announced January 15, is officially titled the “Purina Pro Plan Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show $1 Million Bracket Challenge,” which is accurate, though a gigantic mouthful to chew on.

“The Purina Pro Plan $1 Million Bracket Challenge continues to be a fun, easy way for fans at home to have a stake in the competition as the Westminster dog show plays out live in New York City,” Gianna DeiSanti, Purina Pro Plan brand director, said in a press release. “Everyone has their favorite breeds, and competing in Barketology adds an extra level of excitement to this prestigious event.”

The concept is similar to the NCAA Tournament brackets during March Madness; players select who they think will be the breed winners in each of the seven categories – the Herding, Hound, Non-Sporting, Sporting, Terrier, Toy and Working Groups – and then which group winner will claim Best in Show.

The prize money will be split between the verified winners, should there be a tie with multiple winners.

Singer Nick Lachey, of the 1990s pop group 98 Degrees, will serve as the official “Barketologist,” with inspiration coming from his Yorkie/Poodle mix.

“Our 11-year-old dog Wookie may not be a champion in the ring, but he’s a champion at home with the family,” Lachey said in a press release. “Since there is no Yorkie-Poo breed in the competition, Wookie and I are going to cheer on the Siberian Husky to win Best In Show. I grew up with one named Igloo and they are amazing dogs.”

Fans can create their brackets online at ProPlanBracket.com. They must be a resident of the U.S. and at least 18 years old (in human years, not dog years).

Fans can submit their bracket until 5 p.m. ET on Monday, February 11.

The WKC Dog Show began in 1877, with 204 breeds and varieties taking part in the benched show, one of just three in the country along with a San Francisco show and the National Dog Show.

The 143rd annual WKC Dog Show will air on FS1 on February 11-12 at 7:30 p.m. ET each night.

Pro Plan also sponsors the Incredible Dog Challenge, an annual event that showcases the best in canine athletics each year across a variety of disciplines, including agility, flying disc and water sports.

Next. 2018 AKC National Championship results. dark

For more Westminster coverage, follow Pro Plan on Twitter or Instagram at @ProPlan, or the WKC’s official account at @WKCDOGS.

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