SHOW'S DATE: Saturday November 14th, 2009
& Sunday November 15th,2009
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s two benched, all-breed dog shows are held this year on Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15. The shows, sanctioned by The American Kennel Club, will help raise money for the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine with support from the Purina ProPlan® brand dog food. For more information on the KCP and its 2009 Dog Shows, click here: philadogshow.com
A Rich History
Since hosting a major dog event in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition, Philadelphia has been at the forefront of the purebred dog world.The Kennel Club of Philadelphia (KCP) and its predecessor clubs have been presenting dog shows since 1879. In fact, the Philadelphia club predates the American Kennel Club (AKC) which was organized on September 17, 1884. The Philadelphia club went through several changes of name in the years spanning the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Records show a Philadelphia Kennel Club benched show in 1896 and a Philadelphia Dog Show Association with a “bench show of dogs” from 1899 to 1909. Shortly after, the group reorganized and formed the present-day Kennel Club of Philadelphia. The KCP hosted its first dog show in 1912, was elected a member of the AKC in February 1913, and is thriving to this day.
The KCP shows were suspended from 1928 through 1932, the time of the Great Depression. The shows resumed in 1933 and have been held annually ever since. For most of that period, the shows were staged in December at the Philadelphia Civic Center. Unlike the more common “show and go” format, benched shows require exhibitors to remain in the building for the day, allowing the public to meet and greet the canines. Now almost a lost tradition, only six benched shows remain in the country.
Ch. Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid a.k.a. Rufus won Best In Show at the 2005 National Dog Show, hosted at the Saturday Kennel Club of Philadelphia Dog Show. “Rufus” and handler, Kathryn Kirk (foreground) were honored by (left to right) KCP directors Wayne Ferguson, Sam Peacock, Show Chairman Bill Burland, Best in Show Judge Connie Barton, KCP President Dan Shoemaker, and Ernie Planck from NPPC and of course Rufus the dog.
The Top Dogs
WILLIAM H. BURLAND, Show Chairman of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and his wife Lisa have been active in breeding and exhibiting for over 30 years. Bill’s daughters, Kelly and Kathleen, are also active in the sport.
DAN SHOEMAKER, President of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, and his wife Marjorie have been involved in dogs for over 35 years. He has served as club delegate to the AKC and is the past Treasurer of the Club.
WAYNE FERGUSON, today's show announcer, is a KCP Board member and President of the Canine Health Foundation and a Director of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine.
