Philly Goes to the Dogs

By JACQUELINE RUPP

Updated 11:59 AM EST, Thu, Nov 20, 2008

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Perfectly coiffed poodles, shaggy sheep dogs and mini pedigrees—every purebred breed under the sun will be prancing around the Greater Reading Expo Center Saturday. But this is no ordinary dog show; this is the big time. This is the National Dog Show, the dog display that will be broadcast across the country as part of the traditional Thanksgiving Day festivities, following the iconic Macy’s parade.

You, however, can beat the rest of the nation and see the show before it’s telecast on Thanksgiving. The actual show takes place on November 22 and 23. The weekend is full of canine contests and celebrations, but Saturday is the National Dog Show, presented by Purina, which just happens to be America’s most popular dog show.

Here’s how the competitions will go down: Each day the Kennel Club of Philadelphia hosts a complete, all-breed benched dog show. A benched dog show is special—it has the dogs backstage in their grooming spots, so you can pet and get to know the various competitors while they are getting judged. These contests conclude with the Best in Show awards over the weekend. Before these shows, however, you can also catch the unbenched all-breed shows on November 20 and 21 presented by the Penn Treaty Kennel Club and Greater Philadelphia Dog Fanciers Association, respectively.

Don’t forget to check out the free, guided behind-the-scenes tours of the shows, to catch a firsthand look at all the primping and preening. You’ll learn how the dogs prepare for the show (catered meals and massages?), how the competition works and what exactly those persnickety judges are looking for.

Also on the weekend, look for the special demonstrations where you can watch man’s best friends show off their smarts and skills. And if you’re the fast-paced heated competition type, you’ll probably enjoy the newly added Obedience trials, running on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. There’s even something for you shopaholics out there, as there will be a special canine shopping area with a variety of dog-related vendors.

Weekend show tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under, but weekday shows are free. You can get tickets online here or at the Convention Center on show days.

And don’t forget, if you don’t attend the show, you can always watch it when it is broadcast nationally by NBC on Thanksgiving Day at noon.

Show Schedule

Thursday, November 20

8:30 a.m.
Penn Treaty Kennel Club: All-breed, non-benched dog show, featuring rally obedience and junior showmanship competitions. Free admission.

Friday, November 21

8:30 a.m.: Greater Philadelphia Dog Fanciers’ Association, all-breed, non-benched dog show, featuring rally obedience and junior showmanship competitions. Free admission.

Saturday, November 22

8:30 a.m.: Breed Judging

10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.: Dog Performance Team Demonstration

1:00 p.m.: Group Judging. Keep on the lookout for the cameras, as between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. T.V. cameras will roll for the taping of the group and best-in-show competitions for the National Dog Show Presented by Purina, to be broadcast Thanksgiving Day.

5:00 p.m.: Best-In-Show Judging

Sunday, November 23

8:30 a.m.: Breed Judging Begins in 12 show rings

10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.: Dog Performance Team Demonstration

1:00 p.m.: Group Judging

5:00 p.m.: Best-in-Show Judging

Admission fee: $10 for adults; $5 for children under 12.

Greater Reading Expo Center
2525 N. 12th Street
Reading, PA 19605
610-898-9900