Celebrate Dogs!, the largest celebration of man’s best friend in the United States coming to the Orange County Convention Center, Saturday and Sunday, December 15th and 16th, will feature special performances by canine super stars The Olate Dogs, winners of the most recent season of “America’s Got Talent.”

In addition, Hollywood dog celebrities Stella from “Modern Family” and Yakult from “Suburgatory,” as well as standard poodle “London,” the 2011 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show winner, will make appearances and add their doggie star power to the Celebrate Dogs! event.

The Olate Dogs took the nation by storm with their amazing, $1-million-winning performances on “America’s Got Talent.” The Olate Dogs is a high-energy, fast-paced dog act filled with impressive pet tricks led by Richard Olate and his son Nicholas Olate, A third generation circus performer, Richard has performed since he was 12, and through hard work and constant struggle, created the incredible Olate Dogs ensemble.

Fans of “Modern Family” have fallen in love with Stella (real name Beatrice), a French bulldog belonging to Ed O’Neil’s character on the megahit ABC sitcom. Beatrice also has appeared on ABC’s “How to Live With Your Parents” and just finished a SportMaster commercial. When she’s not working, Beatrice enjoys skateboarding, swimming and playing with her buddies.

On ABC’s “Suburgatory,” Yakult (real name Lambchop) belongs to UCF-graduate Cheryl Hine’s character. Lambchop also has appeared on “American Horror Story,” “Up All Night” and Hallmark's "Puppy Love". In addition, she has several other cameo appearances including on Disney's "Ant Farm" and "Dog With A Blog."

Also making a celebrity appearance at Celebrate Dogs! will be 2011 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show winner GCH CH Jaset’s Satisfaction, a Standard Poodle known affectionately as “London” from Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Celebrate Dogs! will arrive at the Orange County Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 15 and 16, offering dog lovers two days packed full of exciting, canine-centric, family-friendly, dog-gone fun. Presented by The American Kennel Club and Eukanuba Dog Foods, Celebrate Dogs! is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and features events that guarantee fun for the whole family.

To purchase tickets, visit the Celebrate Dogs! website. Celebrate Dogs!  tickets also can be purchased in person at the Orange County Convention Center Box Office on event days.

Family Fun for Dog Lovers!

• AKC Meet the Breeds®  - where more than 150 different dog breeds and breed experts will be on hand to meet the public. Meet the Breeds is the perfect venue to learn about the different breeds so that prospective dog owners can find the right breed for their lifestyle. Don’t miss out – this fun and educational AKC event is only held twice a year: in October in New York City and at Celebrate Dogs! in Orlando this December.
• Dock Dogs demonstrating their amazing and extreme dock diving talents
• Eukanuba Extreme Soccer Dogs playing soccer with children in attendance
• Eukanuba Super Dogs, a delightful, family-fun show featuring talented canines displaying a variety of skills such as the world’s highest jumper and the quickest disc catching dog in the land.

The Competition Heats Up!

• The 12th Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, the only dog show hosted by the American Kennel Club, features thousands of the world's top canine competitors from across the country and around the globe as they vie for Best in Show honors, the title of National Champion and a total of $225,000 in prize money.
• Watch canine athletes race against the clock over challenging obstacles in the AKC Agility Invitational.
• See dogs put their best paw forward for the AKC National Obedience Invitational.
• Skilled youngsters and their dogs compete in their own age divisions in conformation, agility and obedience.
• Top dogs from more than 40 countries around the world competing in the Eukanuba World Challenge.

Additionally, the Canine Celebration vendor mall will offer holiday shoppers more than 140 different doggie boutiques to pick out gifts for dog-loving family and friends. Shoppers can show off their breed loyalties with a dog breed shirt, pick up a new dog bed for the Beagle, and find exquisite, hand-crafted pet-oriented jewelry.

Celebrate Dogs! will comprise 800,000 square feet of event space in the West Building of the Orange County Convention Center. Convenient parking and free shuttle transportation will be available. Attendees are not allowed to bring their dogs to the event. The only dogs allowed are those who are participating in some aspect of Celebrate Dogs. This is to ensure the safety and well being of all participants and attendees.

Celebrate Dogs! features a variety of exciting demonstrations and competitions including: the AKC Agility Invitational, the AKC National Obedience Invitational, AKC Meet the Breeds®, Dock Dogs, and the daytime dog show judging of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.

For more information, please visit www.celebratedogsorlando.com.