The Kennel Club of Philadelphia (KCP) has set Saturday, November 18, and Sunday, November 19, as the dates for this year’s National Dog Show weekend at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.
Annually one of the Delaware Valley’s most prominent family attractions, the National Dog Show features some 2,000 canines representing almost 200 different breeds in an American Kennel Club (AKC)-recognized competition for Best in Show. Tickets are available now by visiting www.nds.nationaldogshow.com. After two pandemic-constrained years, the shows came back in full force in 2022, attracting record attendance for the weekend.
In accordance with its mission as a non-profit to educate the public about responsible pet parenting and the wonderfulness of dogs, The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s shows are one of the least expensive family attractions in the region. Ticket prices are $16 for adults, $7 for children 4-11 years old with kids three and under admitted free. Tickets are also available at the door that weekend.
Breed judging in 13 rings around the Expo Center begins shortly after doors open at 8 a.m. both days. On Saturday, official ceremonies in the stadium show ring begin shortly after noon and judging of the breed-winning dogs in seven groups begins at 1 p.m. Best in Show judging of the seven group winners on Saturday takes place after 6 p.m. There are agility dog demonstrations, sponsor attractions, therapy dog meets and other family-friendly activities throughout the day. On Sunday, doors open at 8 a.m., with the breed judging in the morning, group judging in the afternoon, and Best in Show judging taking place in the late afternoon.
The National Dog Show is the only remaining show in America that is “benched,” meaning that all the dogs are situated in specific locations throughout the day so that the public can meet them and their owners/handlers to learn about the different breeds. Over 75 vendors and expo booths feature free samples and pet-related products and services as part of the experience.
The popular show, started in 1879 and staged continuously since 1933 by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia (KCP), is one of the most prestigious in America. Saturday, November 18, is the “National Dog Show Presented by Purina” airing five days later on NBC on Thanksgiving Day as a two-hour special. The holiday show is viewed by a total audience of 20 million people from noon – 2 p.m. (regionally on NBC 10) following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade before football takes over the day.
“Our attraction is wonderfully unique because the dogs are on-hand all weekend long at benches for the public to meet them and interact with their owners, handlers and breeders,” offered Wayne Ferguson, President of the KCP. “People can then learn what kind of canine might be best suited for their family. Thousands of people and thousands of dogs together at the Expo Center that weekend is an experience that cannot be missed.”
The National Dog Show is one of the most prominent in the world because of its history dating back to the 1800s, its location in America’s fourth-largest market, and the national television exposure on NBC.
Photos: National Dog Show