National Dog Show intros three new breeds in preview of Weekend Expo Attraction

The National Dog Show and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia introduced three new dog breeds that will be among almost 2,000 dogs competing at this weekend’s canine extravaganza during a preview event at the Tru By Hilton hotel Monday morning.

Newly recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) the Russian Toy, the Mudi and the
Bracco Italiano and their handlers were on-hand as over 35 people attended the annual gathering
in advance of the two-day affair at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks.

Members of the National Dog Show Therapy Dog Ambassador Team were also introduced with
Kennel Club of Philadelphia officials declaring the Delaware Valley staple as “back in full
force” after two years of covid-constrained events.

“They’re all great dogs, but we’re going to have some of the top-ranked purebreds in the world
all weekend long at the Expo Center,” said David Frei, one of the foremost authorities in the
sport and the expert analyst for the two-hour TV special that is taped on Saturday and airs
Thanksgiving Day on NBC stations across America.

The Kennel Club of Philadelphia announced that there are over 1,800 entries encompassing 194
breeds and varieties that will be on hand both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available at the
affordable price of $16 for adults, $7 for children (ages 4-11), with 3 and under free in
accordance with the non-profit Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s mission of educating the public
about responsible pet parenting and the wonderfulness of dogs. Tickets and information can be
obtained by visiting www.nds.nationaldogshow.com.

Amongst the new breeds introduced at the show were two Russian Toys, including one weighing
in at less than five pounds. Also, two Bracco Italianos, Vermont-raised hunting dogs were in attendance, exhibiting their powerful torsos and sculpted heads. The third new breed, a Mudi, visited the event via zoom from Liberty, North Carolina. The Mudi is a Hungarian herding dog Wasabi, a uniquely accomplished Bull Mastiff, who was introduced as one of the purebreds that will compete for Best In Show on Saturday and as the newest member of the National Dog Show Therapy Dog Ambassador Team.

This year’s National Dog Show will once again be “benched,” with owners/handlers required to
locate their dogs at designated locations throughout the day. There, the public can approach the
handlers, meet the dogs and ask questions about qualities and traits of the breed and whether that
breed may be suitable for that family. The show was unbenched each of the last two years
“The fun thing about Philadelphia is it’s a benched dog again and this year, it is the only one in
this country,” added Frei. “When you come to the Expo Center this weekend, the dogs will be
competing but also waiting for the public at their benches. You can find all the beagles lined up
in one area. You can talk to the “beagle people” as we call them, and you can find out if that dog
is right for you and your family. That goes for all of the breeds.”