Going to the Dogs! Weekend Schedule for Philadelphias Great Big Dog Shows

Here's the event schedule for this weekend's Kennel Club of Philadelphia Dog Shows. The KCP shows are among the biggest and most prestigious dog events in the US. The Saturday show hosts The National Dog Show Presented by Purina, a big hit in 2002, which will again be broadcast nationwide on Thanksgiving Day.

This weekend, mans best friend rules the Fort Washington Expo Center as 2,000 purebred dogs take center stage in the prestigious Philadelphia Dog Shows. These dogs and their people offer fascinating stories and great visuals, and attract more than 15,000 spectators to the Expo Center during Philadelphias biggest canine event of the year.
Following unbenched show and go dog shows Thursday and Friday, November 13 and 14, the Kennel Club of Philadelphia (KCP) presents its two benched shows on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th, with thousands of dogs in all breeds either showing in the ring or relaxing on the benches all day, welcoming public visits. The KCP shows offer visitors a chance to catch all the judging and breathtaking demonstration events, shop dozens of vendors and interact with the dogs and their handlers and owners at one of only six remaining benched shows in the US. Saturdays show hosts the first The National Dog Show Presented by Purina for later nationwide broadcast on NBC-TV. Tickets, available at the door, are $10 for adults; $5 for children under 12. Public info on the Dog Shows is at www.philadogshow.com or 610-627-1911.
    Press passes and background on the shows events, history and color, along with names of local competitors from across the region are available from Reynolds Ink at 610-566-1960 or 610-547-9800 (mobile). Press room is adjacent to VIP area off Hall A. Results of weekend shows will be available about 8 PM nightly on the website at www.philadogshow.com.

All events are at the Fort Washington Expo Center, 1100 Virginia Drive. Follow signs from Route 309 exit of the PA Turnpike.

Saturday, 11/16, 7:30 AM 6 PM
7:30 am - Doors open; judging of 153 breeds starts at 8 AM in 15 rings in Halls A and B, continuing through at least 3 PM. When not in the ring, dogs are on their benches for the public to visit until 5 PM.
9:00 am The Pro Plan Performance Team shows the training and abilities of its dogs in the main show ring, Hall B, demonstrating freestyle obedience, high jumping, Frisbee and aerobatics and search and rescue techniques. Repeated at 11 AM.
1:15 pm The National Dog Show Presented by Purina (NDS) takes place within Saturdays Kennel Club of Philadelphia Dog Show. All events in main show ring, Hall B.
First NDS demo event: weave pole giant slalom race.
2:00 pm - Group judging begins in the main show ring, with each breed represented in one of seven groups.
3:30 pm - High jump demo featuring the world record holding greyhound
3:45 pm - Group judging resumes
5:30 pm - Freestyle flying disc demo
6:00 pm - Best in Show judging: the seven group winners compete, with todays winner gaining the title of Best in Show.

Sunday, 11/16, 7:30 AM 6 PM
Kennel Club of Philadelphia Dog Show
7:30 am - Doors open; judging of 153 breeds starts at 8 AM in 15 rings in Halls A and B, continuing past 3 PM. Dogs are in the ring or on benches for public to visit until 3 PM.
10 am The Pro Plan Performance Team shows the training and abilities of its dogs in the main show ring, Hall B, demonstrating freestyle obedience, high jumping, Frisbee and aerobatics and search and rescue techniques. Repeated at 11:30 AM and 1 PM.
12 noon - You've never seen anything like the Borzoi Drill Team, featuring twelve handsome Russian wolfhounds in precision maneuvers with their costumed handlers.
2:00 pm - Group judging begins in the main show ring, with each breed represented in one of seven groups.
6:00 pm - Best in Show judging pits the seven group winners against one another, with the winner gaining todays Best in Show.

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