In many households, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade followed by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show while making Thanksgiving dinner is a special tradition. Watching beautiful purebred dogs and learning about breed traits provides the opportunity for millions of households to learn about AKC breeds and what makes each unique breed special.
Recognizing the value of this event, the Pennsylvania General Assembly recently approved House Resolution 546 to recognize November 2019 as "National Dog Show Month" in Pennsylvania.
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia deserves special recognition for the efforts they have made to bring their dog shows into the living rooms of millions and also to educate legislators about the value of their show. In addition to the resolution, the Kennel Club of Philadelphia has also invited local legislators for a tour of the show and photo ops. They also donate a portion of the proceeds from the show and help raise money for a variety of canine-related causes.
Since 1876, with its first major dog show at the Centennial Exposition, the Kennel Club of Philadelphia has been bringing the joy of purpose-bred dogs to exhibitors and the public alike. Now in its 18th year as a televised show under the moniker “the National Dog Show,” the dog event will broadcast nationwide on Thanksgiving Day at noon on NBC. Pennsylvania H.R. 546 states that the show is estimated to be viewed by more than 20 million each year, making it the “most widely viewed dog show in United States history.”
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia is a leader in bringing positive attention to their show and the sport. Your show doesn’t have to be as big or on TV to also provide positive outreach to the public and legislators in your region. For your next show or event, consider inviting your local representatives, media, and community to join in the event. Let them know about all the great things your club does and the positive economic benefits AKC events bring to the host community . Likewise, consider introducing a resolution to your state legislature that recognizes your club or event. AKC GR can help you. To learn more, contact the GR team at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.
