The National Dog Show sponsored by Purina is back for Nov. 19–20, 2022, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. For the first time in two years, the public is welcome onsite, free of pandemic-related restrictions or limitations.

The Kennel Club of Philadelphia (KCP), event presenter since 1879, has stated that it eagerly anticipates welcoming crowds of canine-centric citizens that were understandably absent or during the pandemic.

The last fully public edition of the competition was in 2019, when 15,000 fur-crazed fans wandered the aisles, viewing the athletic beauties for themselves.

New Breeds

One of the ways the KCP maintains ongoing interest in the annual National Dog Show is by qualifying additional breeds for competition.

For 2022, it has sanctioned for the first time the showing of:

• The Mudi
  • Known as a “driver dog,” the Mudi is an extremely versatile, intelligent, alert, agile, all-purpose Hungarian farm dog. Its courage is useful for working even the most stubborn livestock. The breed is a loyal protector of property and family members, without being overly aggressive. The Mudi is a member of the Herding Group.
• The Russian Toy
  • The adored companion dogs of the Russian aristocracy, The Russian Toy was almost made extinct by the Russian Revolution. The breed re-emerged in the 1990s and includes both a smooth- and long-haired variety. The Russian Toy is a small, elegant, lively dog with long legs, fine bones, and lean muscles. The Russian Toy is a member of the Toy Group.
• Bracco Italiano
  • The Bracco Italiano (“Italian Pointing Dog”) has a powerful appearance with lean limbs, well-developed muscles, a short coat, and a sculpted head. Tough and adapted to all types of hunting, the Bracco Italiano is reliable, intelligent, docile and easy-to-train. Its entrants compete in the Sporting Group.

Attending the 2022 Edition

The National Dog Show remains one of a few “benched” dog-evaluation editions in the nation, meaning that all dogs are onsite — and visitable by the public — for the duration of the judging.

A program given to attendees will help fans of a particular breed find their favorites, enabling quick access for each Affenpinscher aficionado and Dalmatian devotee.

Crowd expectations for the 2022 edition are expected to match the levels of three years ago, or even exceed them.

National Dog Show tickets are $16 for adults, $7 for kids 4–11 years old, and free for children three-and-under; they may be purchased online.

The price points are yet another enticement for families to go.

The National Dog Show has proven to be more wallet-friendly than comparable visits to the Philadelphia Flower Show, the Franklin Institute, and the Philadelphia Zoo.

The KCP’s role as a public educator on dog breeds and ownership guides its leaders to keep admission prices as reasonable as possible. Even the parking is free.

“As a nonprofit with the mission of educating the public about dogs, we take very seriously the need to maintain family friendly ticket prices,” offered Wayne Ferguson, KCP President.

“Our attraction is wonderfully unique, since the dogs are on hand all weekend long at benches for people to meet them and interact with their owners, handlers, and breeders so they can learn what kind of canine might be best-suited for their families,” he concluded.

Television Coverage

The Sat. edition is also the day of NBC’s coverage, which airs Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24), following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Returning as hosts of the television broadcast are David Frei of the International Kennel Club of Chicago and John O’Hurley, actor, singer, and unabashed dog lover-owner.

Welcome from the VFTCB

“We are thrilled that the National Dog Show is hosted in Montgomery County,” said Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board CEO Mike Bowman.

“The research shows what we in tourism talk about all the time, that the value proposition of free parking and more-affordable accommodations at our 75 hotels attracts visitors to come here rather than attending an event in the city. “And with over 700 restaurants, the best shopping in the country, and tons of family friendly attractions, we give attendees even more reasons to ‘Make It Montco’ and plan their stay here.”

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This NBC Sports video shows the final round of the 2019 edition of the National Dog Show, the last fully public holding of the event until this year.