The Philadelphia Kennel Club National Dog Show Sponsored by Purina: Come and Unleash the Fun
(PRWEB) November 13, 2014 -- Man’s best friend takes center stage for a weekend full of four-legged competition at the Philadelphia Kennel Club National Dog Show Sponsored by Purina. Watch the fur fly November 15–16 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, where the primo pooches will be onsite for visits, photos, information-gathering and probably a sloppy kiss or two.
The two-day event gathers dog aficionados from all over the country, seeking the distinction of Best in Show. But that shouldn’t stop even a casual pet lover from attending.
The following tidbits about the National Dog Show demonstrate that it’s an outing for everyone, even owners of pets that excel only at curling up at the foot of the ottoman and snoring:
• Hey, History Buffs: It Has a Long Pedigree. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia first hosted an area show back in 1876, in conjunction with the Centennial Celebration. In 1933, it became an annual event and has trotted dutifully along ever since.
• Sports Fans Can Easily Follow the Competition. Progress toward the top prize of Best in Show is something like the funneling behind March Madness basketball brackets. Dogs compete on the breed level before advancing to evaluation in seven groups; these winners then go wet-nose-to-wet-nose for the top slot.
• Make No Bones: It’s a Family-Fun Event. Families can get up close and personal with more than 2,000 dogs, across 170 breeds. From the wild and wooly to the cute and cuddly (and some that are just plain… odd), each dog can, with permission, be visited.
• There’s More to the Dogs than Just Pretty Faces. Demonstrations are scheduled throughout the day to show these companions at work: Therapy dogs, agility dogs, dock-diving dogs and performance dogs will all take center stage throughout the weekend.
• Doggie Debuts. The American Kennel Club (AKC) continually welcomes new competitors among its established list of breeds. This year, the public can witness the first professional appearance of the Wirehaired Vizsla and the Coton de Tulear.
• Montgomery County, Pa., Goes Totally Dog-Friendly. Competitors will be taking advantage of the nearby hotels and restaurants that welcome dogs for the weekend, so it may be possible to see a superstar checking into a local lobby or bingeing on a bite of burger. A list of pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and outdoor attractions is available here.
• A Star Appearance (or Two or Three). The show is broadcast Thanksgiving Day with cohosts John O’Hurley and David Frei and NBC Sports correspondent Mary Carillo. All three will be at the Expo Center at various times on Saturday.
• Vast Quantities of Canine Cargo. Shoppers take note: From leashes for Labradors to portraits for Pekingeses, the array of available items – many hand-crafted – is impressive. The timing could not be better, with the December holidays right around the corner.
• Wag-worthy Swag. The Make It Montco kiosk – our “mobile Visitor Center” – is making an appearance. Stop by for a flying disc and detailed information about the fantastic places to visit in Montgomery County, Pa.
• On the Tail of the Dog Show... For those for whom bow-wow provides no wow at all, the 2014 Cat Fanciers Association World Championship Cat Show pounces into the Expo Center the weekend of November 22-23. Cat fanciers will find it purrrr-fect.
Dan Weckerly, Valley Forge CVB, http://www.valleyforge.org, +1 (610) 834-7990, [email protected]
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