Editor’s note: This article was updated Nov. 15 to add photographs and on Nov. 16, 2023, to remove a dog that is not competing in the 2023 National Dog Show.
The 2023 National Dog Show competition will be held Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County, and nearly 2,000 pedigreed dogs are coming to town to strut their stuff in the ring.
Many canines from southeastern Pennsylvania are among the 1,944 registered that will be trying to bring home the coveted National Dog Show Best in Show title.
The dogs are judged on how well they conform to the American Kennel Club’s description of the ideal breed standard.
The breed competitions will take place in the morning, with group judging beginning at 1 p.m. in the Stadium Show Ring. The AKC has seven group categories: sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, nonsporting and herding. The winners of those groups go on to the final round, the best-in-show competition.
The Stadium Ring is where much of the video footage for the Thanksgiving Day show is shot. The Best in Show title is slated to be awarded there after 6 p.m.
Here are some dogs from around the region to look for that were identified by Nancy Becker of 15 Minutes Inc., who is doing public relations for the show.
Berks County
- A black cocker spaniel named Jesse who is 4 years old and co-owned by Ann Marie Monastero and Heid Armour of Shartlesville.
- An Akita named Kamm who is 2 years old. One of her four co-owners is from Temple, Cheryl Burns.
Chester County
- A bichon frise named Lady Danbury, who is 2 and is owned by Helen Schaefer of Coatesville.
- A Clumber spaniel named Toasty, who is 14 months old and is owned by Alison Chamberland of Downingtown.
- A Cardigan Welsh corgi named Arrow who is 18 months old and is owned by Susannah Small of Coatesville.
- Two Boston terriers, Pippen, 3, and Elgin, 5, who are owned by the late Marianne P. Welsh and J. Jeffrey Welsh of Exton.
Lehigh County
- An Australian cattle dog named Smooch, who is 2 and is owned by Becky Kline of Macungie.
Montgomery County
- An Australian shepherd named Cassian who is 9 months old and is owned by Lizzie Swartz of Lansdale.
- A border collie named Ash, who is 2 years, 9 months old and is owned by Natalie Haggard of North Wales.
- A miniature schnauzer named Priscilla, who is 14 months old and is owned by Jeanette and Marc Perosa of Pottstown. A note on the dog says that Priscilla was stillborn and was revived by Jeanette Perosa, who is a retired veterinary technician.
- A Gordon setter named Scotch who is 17 months old and is owned by Kristeen Davidson-Christman of Telford.
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia partnered with NBC to bring the first National Dog Show to television in 2002, but the KCP has been holding conformation dog shows since 1879. This year’s NDS will be on NBC Thanksgiving Day from noon to 2 p.m.
The National Dog Show is the last benched dog show to still be held in the U.S. Benched means the dog owners must stay onsite all day so the public can meet the competitors and learn a little something about the breeds.
“It is great to see such a strong entry as we emerge from the pandemic-related downturn,” Wayne Ferguson, president of the KCP, said in a statement. “Almost every American Kennel Club-certified breed will be on our benches, and we are wonderfully unique now as the only ‘benched’ show in the United States.”
Among the rare miscellaneous breeds that are entered this year are the Basset Fauve de Bretagnes, the Peruvian Inca orchid, the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka and the Small Muensterlander.
There will be a guide available at the show to indicate where the breeds are benched so the public can meet them.
Owners on competing
“My girl GCH Kalan Absolute n MiMar’s Mojo Power, call name ‘Kamm’, will be competing for the second year in a row at the Philadelphia Kennel Club Show,” Cheryl Burns of Temple said about her Akita. “She is currently in the top 10 in the NOHS (National Owner Handled Series) competition as she is always owner handled by one of her owners. She won Best of Breed in 2022, so we are looking to repeat this year.”
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“I grew up in a household of beagle fanciers, so watching the show on Thanksgiving was always a huge part of our traditions,” said Natalie Haggard of North Wales. “We would always cheer on the beagles and admire all the other breeds as they had their time in the spotlight. Even sitting on my couch, I’d always feel like I was right there.
“Now, as an adult with my very first border collie and show dog, I get to participate. All year long, I wait for this show and just thinking about it brings a smile to my face. I showed last year as well and the experience was just surreal. This year I feel even better prepared and am so excited to be there. It’s so fun talking to all the spectators and telling them all the wonderful things about the breed I share my life with.”
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“Cassian is a 9-month-old Australian shepherd and although he is just 9 months old, he has started training in a number of different sports including, agility, dock diving, herding, and barn hunt,” said Lizzie Swartz of Lansdale.
“He attended his first dog show at 5 months old and received a best of breed puppy, and at his second show, he received a group 1 placement,” Swartz said. “Our goal is to receive a versatility title to showcase how well rounded the Australian shepherd is as a breed.”
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“I’ve been competing at this show almost every year since about 2002, when I got my first Gordon setter,” said Kristeen Davidson-Christman of Telford. “This year, I’ll be competing with my 18-month-old boy ‘Scotch’ (his official AKC name is CH Lyric’s Sword Dance For The Lion Rampant JH CGC ATT). I am his owner, breeder, groomer and trainer and will be handling him in the ring this weekend.
“I am proud to be an owner-handler and most enjoy spending time with my dogs. I often attend shows, training classes and exhibit at ‘meet the breed’ events where I can share information about this wonderful breed to an interested public.”
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“I own a grooming shop, Best in Coat, in West Chester, and have looked forward to the National Dog Show event each year,” said Alison Chamberland of Downingtown. “This year I am attending with my 2-year-old Clumber spaniel named ‘Toasty” (official name GCH Rainsway’s The Toast With The Most BCAT CGC FDC TKN). Toasty and I are showing for the second year in a row in the conformation ring for a chance to win Best of Breed to advance to the televised Sporting Group and Best in Show rings that air on Thanksgiving!
“An exciting part of this dog show is the chance for the public to come meet our wonderful purebred breeds, including many rare breeds like Clumber spaniels, in the benching area.”
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“I’m a first time dog show participant, although I have been to more horse shows than I can remember. I honestly don’t know what I have gotten myself into,” said Susannah Small of Coatesville.
“Arrow, my Cardigan Welsh Corgi, was retained by her breeder, Penny Krohl, as she wanted to breed her to her awesome stud dog,” Small said, noting Krohl eventually offered the dog to her after one of her Cardigans died.
“Penny asked me to see if I could finish her (title) this year. Cynde Clark, who showed Arrow before will be showing her for me again this weekend,” Small said.
“Arrow is a farm dog who loves hunting and hanging out with our family. We have a 70 acre horse farm in Coatesville, and it’s the best life for a dog.”
If you go
2023 National Dog Show
When: Saturday, Nov. 18, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 19, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, 100 Station Ave., Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County.
Ticket prices: Ages 12 and older, $16; children ages 4 to 11, $7; children age 3 and younger, free.
Parking: Free
