subject: Recapping The National Dog Show 2009 [print this page] In addition to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, football games, and Turkey, the National Dog Show sponsored by Purina is held each year on Thanksgiving Day.
The 2009 show was sanctioned by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and all of the money raised by the show this year, went to the Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Philadelphia's Kennel Club has hosted dog shows for over 125 years.
The National Dog show is the most widely viewed dog show in America with viewership at almost 20 million and rising each year.
According to the National Dog Show's website it is becoming an important tradition each year in conjunction with the Macy's Day parade and is shown for 2 hours upon completion of the parade.
The show attracts over 2,000 of the top show dogs and owners in the country and this year some animals shown were even owned and trained internationally. Over 150 breeds and varieties of dogs participate each year as they compete for Best in breed, first in group and Best in show.
Three new AKC breeds were introduced this year. These breeds were the Irish Red and White Setter, the Norwegian Buhund and the Pyrenean Shepherd.
Each year the show is hosted by John O'Hurley, former star of Seinfeld, Dancing with the Stars winner, and purebred owner. David Frei co-hosts the show each year, and has come to be known as "the dean of dog show commentators."
There are seven groups that the dogs may be placed into. These groups are divided and categorized by characteristics and the functions that the breeds were originally bred for. The first in group, in all seven groups go on to compete for best in show.
The seven groups are the terrier group, working group, toy group, sporting group, hound group, non-sporting group, and herding group.
This year's winner of the National Dog Show best in show was Sadie, a Scottish-terrier, owned by Amelia Musser from Mackinac Island, MI. Winning best in show at The National Dog Show gave Sadie, her 100th best in show.
In order to win best in show, a dog must first win best in breed, sometimes competing with over 100 dogs of the same breed. After winning best in breed, the dog must go on to win first in group.
After taking first place in the group, the dog must then face the other six best in groups and win in order to take overall best in show. This show is an open, benched all-breed show, meaning that any dog registered with the AKC can participate.
The public may view and visit with the over 150 breeds and varieties throughout the day. There are only six such shows each year in the United States.
The event is sponsored by Purina as mentioned above, and more specifically this year, Purina Pro Plan. Pet Smart, Petcentric, and local and national media coverage also help to make the event a success with each coming year. For more information on the show and to view all of the AKC breeds, visit the shows website.
