Check back here on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, 2006 for dispatches from the December 2006 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, Calif.

While Animal Planet brought the nation's top dog show to you live, AnimalPlanet.com brought you all the behind-the-scenes action live, too! From Friday, Jan. 13 to Sunday, Jan. 15 our team was your backstage pass to the 2006 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, posting daily video dispatches from the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.

Last year, we decided to follow the stories of two of the nation's top-ranked show dogs: Aria, an Irish Setter, that was ranked 10th among the nation's dogs and known for her "rollicking personality" and James, an English Springer Spaniel, that was ranked 11th and also known as "Love Sponge."

We found out what it takes to be a top-ranked show dog, followed their preparation for the big event, and tracked their performance during the live competition in the quest to become the AKC/Eukanuba National Champion.