series presented in cabaret jazz called “George Bugatti’s Piano Bar.” But John really took Center stage as “Top Dog” in the very serious side of the Dog World almost two decades ago when he became the host along with David Frei (American Kennel Club judge), of the Nestle Purina PetCare sponsored “National Dog Show,” (a conformation Show sanctioned by the American Kennel Club) held by The Kennel Club of Philadelphia, at the Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks in Oaks, PA. This NBC Sports show started airing in 2002 and airs for two hours religiously every Thanksgiving Day across the country before the Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is one of the hottest & best viewed shows of the Holiday Season! Also interesting to note for neophytes like myself that this show is serious business for all the participants vying to win. This ongoing annual event’s only break in programming was the years during the Great Depression (1928-1933).
The “National Dog Show” event showcases 185 recognized breeds! I had no idea there were so many, but I propose a new dog category to include us worthy outsiders — “Best in Mutt”! So John, if this category comes to be.. know that the inspiration started here! “What is it that makes the“National Dog Show”so popular?” John: “I think there is something in it for everyone. There isn’t much programming that fits a mass audience (4 to 94), and the “National Dog Show” is great family entertainment on the Best Family Day of the year!” The two New Show Breeds this year: The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje (a medium size Dutch hunting dog). The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen (a herding dog and larger version of the petite version known for its sweet and rather shaggy appearance). “Why do dog people watch the show?” John: “Dogs do something for us that nothing else can do. They round off the edges of the human experience. Anytime you are with a dog, you are the better version of yourself. So that when we are doing the show and we have 2000 of the best dogs in the country; we have 30,000 people perhaps at one point, anytime in the arena. Everybody is just being a better version of themselves, and you can feel the joy and the lightness of being in the entire arena.” “Which dogs share John’s life?” John: Well, I have three at home actually, and the first is the cousin of the Cavalier King Charles that David (Frei) has. They came from the same breeder. It’s a beautiful little dog named ‘Sadie, Sadie Mae.’ Then we have a Javanese, which is a breed that we like very much and again through David’s influence that we found the Javanese. It’s a wonderful family dog. I love the breed especially for that reason. On top of that, I did have the opportunity to open the Humane Society Structure.. a state of the art one... they have in Saint Louis. Lo and behold, I came home with a ‘rescue.’ A nice story. The dog buried itself in my jacket as I was making my remarks to the press. By the end, I just lifted my lapel and said ‘Would anybody like to go to Beverly Hills?’ And so she followed me. She has changed the energy in our house. Her name is ‘Charlotte.’ She is a mixed breed, and I mean a ‘really’ mixed breed. We had the DNA done for her and I gotta tell you I
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