The National Dog Show returns to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15, with about 2,000 dogs competing across two days of breed judging, agility demonstrations and family activities.
The show, organized by The Kennel Club of Philadelphia, is celebrating its silver anniversary of the NBC Thanksgiving Day broadcast this year, according to Around Ambler. The club has staged the show continuously since 1933 and traces its origins to an 1876 "Exhibition of Dogs" held during America's Centennial celebration.
Saturday's competition is the one NBC cameras capture. It airs on Thanksgiving Day from noon to 2 p.m. in all time zones, right after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The broadcast has a total reach of about 20 million people, Around Ambler reported.
Gates open at 8 a.m. both days. Saturday's event runs until 6 p.m., with Best in Show judging likely starting after 6 p.m., according to the show's official website. Sunday wraps at 5 p.m.
The National Dog Show is the only single-venue benched show in America. Competing dogs stay at designated spots throughout the day so visitors can walk up, meet them and talk with owners and handlers about each breed. Breed judging takes place across 13 rings on the Expo Center floor, with group judging in the afternoon in the stadium show ring.
Agility demonstrations feature top canine athletes throughout the weekend. A therapy dog zone staffed by the National Dog Show Therapy Dog Ambassador Team lets visitors pet and hug certified therapy dogs. Veterinarians from Purina and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine answer questions on site. More than 75 vendors offer pet-related products, services and free samples.
Temple University's Sport Industry Research Center found in a two-year study commissioned by The Kennel Club of Philadelphia that the average family spends 3.5 hours at the event.
Tickets cost $20 for ages 12 and older, $10 for children ages 4 to 11, and free for children 3 and under. Parking is free. Tickets are available at the door or online at nds.nationaldogshow.com. The show's official site warns that tickets purchased through third-party resale platforms will not be accepted.
Upcoming:
- National Dog Show: Nov. 14-15, 8 a.m. both days, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Oaks. Tickets: $20 ages 12+, $10 children 4-11, free ages 3 and under. Free parking. Info: nds.nationaldogshow.com
