PHOTOS: The National Dog Show in the Philly Suburbs

Photo | Dan McQuade

Attending a dog show is a weird experience.

Dog shows — in the most common usage of the term — are conformation shows, events where purebred dogs are judged against the ideal standard for their breed. That’s not why dog shows are weird, though. Attending a dog show is like attending any other convention: It’s filled with people who geek out about the same subject. You feel a little out of place if you’re not part of this subculture. I don’t even own one dog sweater.

It’s like going to comic-con or the Renaissance faire, only with dogs. Of course, that means it’s actually pretty enjoyable. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia hosted its annual dog show over the weekend at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, and it was a pretty good time.

The Kennel Club’s show, which airs annually on Thanksgiving as the National Dog Show, is a “benched show.” That means dogs must remain benched for the entire two-day period, going home only at night. This allows visitors to wander the benching area where the dogs prepare to be shown and rest afterward. You can talk to owners about breeds and, more importantly, pet some of the friendlier dogs. I attended the National Dog Show’s first day on Saturday and wandered around the benching area to snap some photos. Enjoy!

2014 National Dog Show

French Bulldog

Look at this little guy's ears.

Whippet racer

I learned on Saturday that whippets race, just like greyhounds. They only run distances of about 220 yards, though, and it's not an actual business like greyhound racing — only a few purebred whippets race.

Bernese Mountain Dog collage

Don't you just want one now?

Boston Terrier Kissing Booth

There were no Boston terriers in the booth either time I passed, alas.

French Bulldog

Could this guy be any cuter? Probably not.

Dog Treadmills

If you're in the market for a dog treadmill, I recommend the best dog treadmills in the world. Note: I know of no other dog treadmills besides the dogPACER.

Shiba Inu

Once I was with a friend walking a Shiba Inu through Rittenhouse Square. "It's a fox!" some kid yelled at us.

Wicker Dog

This was the only wicker dog I saw at the event. It appears to have won Best in Breed, Wicker Division.

Poodle

This poodle is ready for its close-up.

Golden Retriever

I bet this guy could shoot basketballs.

Samoyed

Samoyeds always look so happy. This dog's name is King.

Bling Your Chair!

You really aren't anyone in the dog show world until you get a blinged-out chair, probably.

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkies are the sixth most-popular purebred dog. They were No. 2 in 2008.

Cat Show!

That's right: This weekend is a cat show. Be sure to read the fine print: You can get your picture taken with Garfield!

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