At the Kennel Club of Philadelphia Dog Shows on Saturday, November 14th, and Sunday, November 15th, 2009, there's plenty to see, from the first breed judging before 8:30 AM to presentation of Best in Show starting each day at about 5 PM. When you’re at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, look for signs directing you to a free guided tour of the Show to find out how dogs prepare, how the competition works and what judges look for in the show rings. In the meantime, here’s an overview of what you’ll see at the Dog Shows:
Breed judging -- Each day, dogs in more than 150 breeds and varieties in the KCP shows are judged individually according to the recognized standards for the breed.To see which breeds will be shown in which ring, when, click here for the Saturday show and here for Sunday.
Group and Best in Show judging -- Breed winners proceed to judging in the seven groups -- Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. Top dogs from the groups comprise the field for the culmination of the Shows in the main show ring.
Between 1 and 6 PM Saturday, November 14th, TV cameras will film the group and best in show competition for The National Dog Show Presented by Purina®, to be broadcast Thanksgiving Day at noon EST.
Demonstration events -- On Saturday and Sunday in Hall D, dogs will show their intelligence and athleticism in a variety of demonstration events – a perennial delight for dog show fans of all ages.
Kids Zone – With the special focus on families at this year’s Sunday show, we’ve added a Kids Zone with crafts, classes, meet-the-dogs sessions, face-painting, a moon bounce and more to the demonstration events in Hall D.
Junior Showmanship – How do the top dog handlers get to be the best? They start young and practice hard. Junior Showmanship matches young dog owners against others their age in formal but fun competition both on Saturday and Sunday.
Benching area -- Visit your favorite breeds in the "backstage" benching areas, where dogs are groomed and prepared for their turn in the ring. Pet the dogs, talk with the handlers and learn about the breeds -- maybe you'll find the perfect addition to your family!
Vendors -- Shop at dozens of vendors for the perfect gift for your favorite dog, or dog person. Visit the Purina® booth for special offers on nutritious dog treats that benefit local dog charities.
Educational sessions -- Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, owners and breeders will help you “Meet the Breeds” in informal sessions involving some of the most popular breeds at the shows.
Nonprofit organizations -- Get information and literature on the important work of the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and several vital dog and human services organizations in the Philadelphia area.
More about dog shows
The American Kennel Club (AKC) explains elegantly the sometimes confusing procedures and components of an all-breed dog show here.
Accommodations and Specials
More than a dozen hotels in the Oaks/Valley Forge area are offering special Dog Show packages for the weekend. Find out more about these offers, and about the other attractions of this historic and vibrant area here.
Directions
Directions and a map to the Expo Center are here
