Over 2,000 dogs, representing 170 breeds were present for the National Dog Show to compete in agility, diving and showmanship competitions.
The first room as you entered the Expo Center held agility and diving demonstrations. This room was so full all the time it was difficult to see anything! But the dogs were very talented. On the agility course, the dogs ran a teeter-totter, through poles and over jumps. The diving dogs were hugely popular. Their trainer would get them excited and throw their toy into a 40 ft. pool of water. They would sprint down the stage and dive into the water to retrieve their toy.
Through the rest of the halls, dogs were on display for visitors to talk with their owners, trainers, and exhibitors, as well as interact with the dogs themselves.
This makes the Philadelphia Kennel Club Dog Show unique, because you can interact with the dogs and exhibitors.
There were also the smaller shows going on in the center of each hall. These were mostly Best of Breed shows and those winners moved on to the Best of Class during the Group Judging.
Group Judging was held on both days of the Show. This is the major part of the Show and the part that is shown on NBC at noon on Thanksgiving Day.
Even this was interesting, because it wasn’t stuffy; children lined the edges of the stage, people got up close, took photos and spoke – though in lowered voices – to the exhibitors that were lined up to show their dogs.
Watch on NBC at noon on Thanksgiving and see more information at www.nationaldogshow.com. Hey – you might even see us! We were sitting fifth row center and during the Toy Class, Leann was sitting along the edge taking photos.
