A THANKSGIVING DAY TRADITION

GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie 

(photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

The Kennel Club of Philadelphia show is one of the most iconic events in our sport. It is one of only three AKC dog shows that get a major TV audience and it has the most desirable time slot broadcast on Thanksgiving Day just after the Macy’s parade, playing to guaranteed packed houses. It is, like Westminster, a benched show, a rarity these days that gives the public an up close and personal experience with the beautiful dogs of AKC. Benched shows also give exhibitors the opportunity to spend time with the most experienced and wise breeders in the world. 

GCH CH Foxcliffe Chelsea Piers 

While the show is not the largest of the season, this year’s edition saw nearly 1500 dogs present and competing on Saturday, a 15 percent increase over 2014. The show draws Top Ten competition, although this year only one of the Top Ten made it into judge Beth Sweigart’s final, the Number Four Dog All Breeds, the Sky Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie. Joining Charlie in the final ring were the ASCOB Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Blodheim’s Easy Matters, the Scottish Deerhound, GCH CH Foxcliffe Chelsea Piers, the Newfoundland, Turftides Breezing Up At Bear N Mind CD RN CGCA, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Filho (Sanchez), the French Bulldog, GCH CH Iacta Alea Est de la Bete, and the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Dunhill Steeler Nation. 

It was the Skye, Charlie, taking home the big prize, while the Deerhound, Chelsea, copped the RBIS. Charlie is the now definitive National Champion, holding both the BIS from last December’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship and Saturday’s BIS. We will watch the show and baste the Turkey during commercial breaks, but don’t forget to set the DVR to record the broadcast on NBC on Thanksgiving Day.