Show Dogs and Go Dogs in Oaks This Weekend

Over a thousand dogs of all shapes and sizes will be lined up inside the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center this weekend for the tenth National Dog Show, which is sponsored by Purina and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. 

The show dogs will consist of 173 breeds in seven groups. 

The go dogs, a group of dogs trained in agility, will be doing demonstrations all day at the Expo Center. These dogs catch flying discs, run agility courses and even dive off docks. 

The National Dog Show is unique in that it is one of only five "benched" shows in the United States. A benched show means that the dogs being judged are in the building for the duration of the show and their breeders and/or handlers are also there to talk about the dogs with visitors. 

David Frei, who is well-known as the expert analyst for the National Dog Show, said during a press conference that benching is a great way for poeple to look at breeds of dogs they might be interested in. 

"People can educate themselves beforehand, see adult dogs, and hear what the dogs are bred to do. You can see if it's the kind of dog you want to have in your family," Frei explained. 

Frei co-hosts the show with well-known actor and author John O'Hurley.

The National Dog Show Therapy Dog team, two Dogues de Bordeaux named L'il Abner and Stella and a pit bull mix named Vivian, will also be making appearances during the weekend. 

The dog show is introducing two new breeds this year - the Treeing Walker Coonhound and the Russell Terrier. 

There will be lots of excitement, and tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for children (kids under 3 are free) for the whole day.

Breed judging starts at 8:30am and taping for the National Dog Show's Thanksgiving Day broadcast begins at 1pm. The Best-in-Show judging begins at 5pm. 

Tickets are available at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.