If watching football on Thanksgiving is not your thing, then change the channel and watch man’s best friend take the center stage on Thanksgiving Day at noon in
Philadelphia. Granted, The National Dog Show is different from the Puppy Bowl, and the cuteness factor may not be the same, but it is still worth it to see what dog will take home first place in this years show.
The National Dog Show will present its fifteenth year and will be attended
by 2,000 canines from over 170 breeds. During this show, they display how dogs
prepare for competition, how the competition works, and what judges look for in the show rings.
For the past thirteen years Purina has been sponsoring the National Dog Show. Purina is a dog and cat food company that supports the health and wellness of all dogs through its food products.
Each of the breeds and mutts are assigned to one of the seven different groups by their different characteristics and functions they were bred for. The seven groups are: terrier, toy, working, sporting, hound, non-sporting, and herding.
The terrier dogs’ duties involve hunting that ranges from rats to badgers. These dogs have great determination, courage, and self-confidence.
The toy dogs were bred for one purpose: to provide companionship to people. Their size makes them ideal for those who live in limited space.
The worker dogs perform tasks for their people. They guard homes and livestock, serve as hunters, police, guide, and service dogs.
The sporting dogs are used for hunting by pointing and marking, flushing, and recovering dead and wounded game. Pointers, Retrievers, Setters, and Spaniels are all members of the sporting dogs.
The hound dogs hunt by scent and sight. Some of the hound dog breeds that are included in the hound dog group are Pharaoh Hounds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Afghans, and Beagles.
The herding dogs are used on farms and ranches to gather and move livestock from one place to another. Some dog types that are included in the herding group are Australian Shepherds, Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies, and Poodles.
The non-sporting dogs are every breed that is left, resulting in a variety of sizes, shapes, hair, function and history. Chow Chow, Dalmatian, French Bulldog, and Keeshond are some dog types that are included in the non-sporting dog group.
Quincy Penners says, “I thought it was pretty good last year and I am excited to see what dog wins this year.” Olivia Lapioli says, “I have watched the dog show every year for the last two years and I’m looking forward to it this year.”
Every dog has his day, but only one is guaranteed to be the “pawsitively” best.
By Cheyanne Futch
The Claw 