Table Talk • November 19, 2025
I was fortunate to spend last weekend in Pennsylvania at the Philadelphia Cluster. This cluster, held at the Oaks Expo Center, also hosts the Kennel Club of Philadelphia benched dog show. Westminster Kennel Club, and Kennel Club of Philadelphia are the only benched dog shows remaining in the USA. The televised production, known as the National Dog Show, is televised on NBC on Thanksgiving Day after the Macy’s Day Parade, and it draws huge ratings. The only other nationally televised dog shows are Westminster and the AKC National Championship.
This 2025 Kennel Club of Philadelphia dog show drew 12% more spectators than last year. I am certain that everyone who walked through the gates would agree the show was a rousing success.
Among other wonderful educational opportunities, KC of Philadelphia works with the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School. This year the club hosted 86 veterinary students who toured the show and attended educational presentations there. Hats off to Mari Beth O’Neil for her continued efforts on behalf of the purebred dog community. She continues to try to create bonds between the veterinary profession and the sport of purebred dogs.
It was good to see exhibitors doing their best to show the public the positive aspects of the sport of purebred dogs. The consensus is that we could use specific, educational signage at entrances, and around the benching area explaining what is and is not appropriate behavior by the public while visiting with dogs and exhibitors.
While we may know it’s not appropriate to stick hands in a dog’s crate, come face to face with a strange dog, etc., the public does not always know they should not behave this way. If we had signs that were more specific, stating things like do not stick your fingers in crates, do not stick your face in crates, children must be kept close to their parents and always watched, I think that our dogs and the public would be better off.
It was great to hear that Gene Blake was back in the ring judging again. Welcome back, Gene! You were missed by everyone.
CJ Favre is planning a celebration of life for his beloved wife Lisa who passed away recently. The celebration will be held Thanksgiving day at the Winter Wonderland Cluster in Perry, Georgia during the cookout. CJ asks that you bring any photographs or stories about Lisa you might want to share.
Liv Calabrese will be hanging up her lead at the end of the year and relocating to the West Coast. She is looking forward to her next chapter out West, where she’s beginning a new career. Best wishes, Liv! You will be sorely missed.
Entries are in for the AKC National Championship in Orlando. A total of 5,557 dogs will compete at the all-breed show on Saturday and Sunday! In addition, there are 1,602 puppies entered in the Puppy and Junior Stakes, and 1,040 Bred-By dogs competing! I look forward to seeing everyone at what is shaping up to be the best AKC National Championship/Orlando Cluster yet!
Congratulations to new parents, Pilar Kuhn and Rod Ott! Baby Faith is home from the NICU, and mom and dad are learning to adjust to a new way of life. May your new family have the brightest future ever!
Happy anniversary to Clint and Karen Livingston who celebrated their 17th anniversary. Where does the time go? Best wishes for a great year to come!
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include Liv Calabrese, Sydney Good, Glenn Lycan, Eric Liebes, Phil Booth, Jason Hoke, Erin Piercy-Foreman, Linda Rowley, Scott Kipp, Melanie King, Ray Harrington, and Courtney Bastian. May you all have a special day with those who love you most!
A few words of wisdom: Sometimes when one door closes, you need to nail a board over it!
Be safe out there, my friends. I look forward to seeing everyone in Orlando!
Until next time…
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