• by Tanya Gazdik , January 17, 2017

College basketball’s March Madness and Bracketville are right around the corner and Purina is weighing in with its own version, tied to the famous New York City dog show. 

The Purina Pro Plan $1 Million Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Bracket Challenge rallies fans to correctly predict the seven Westminster group winners and the top prize, “Best in Show,” for a chance to win $1 Million.  

Dog-lovers and sporting enthusiasts alike are invited to put their “barketology” skills to the test when more than 2,800 elite dogs from across the country compete for top honors on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14 at the 141^st Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which is presented by Purina Pro Plan.

To play, consumers can visit www.DogShowBracket.com and choose one winner from the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding, Sporting, Working, and Terrier groups, and from those winners, one overall breed they believe will win “Best in Show.” 

After completing the bracket, entrants can tune into the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show to follow their bracket in real time. If their selections match the actual winners, they could win $1 million, with the prize being split evenly among all verified winners.

“We’re excited to give dog-lovers another chance to get in on the Westminster action as they select and cheer on their favorite breeds,” said Christi Maginn, brand director, Purina Pro Plan, in a release. “No matter which dog comes out on top in the game of ‘barketology,’ Purina Pro Plan believes that any dog can be a champion — whether they’re in the ring or curled up next to you at home.”

Fans can follow @ProPlan on Twitter and Instagram for live Westminster coverage and use #WKCDogShow to join the conversation. For more information, including a Dog Show 101 tutorial, consumers can visit www.DogShowBracket.com.

Purina Pro Plan has a history in the sport of purebred dogs and has been the food of choice for elite dogs, according to the company. The brand is also aiming to extend its winning legacy and celebrate another Purina Pro Plan-fed dog taking home the “Best in Show” title for the eleventh straight year.