Purina National Dog Show 2009 Winner

The National Dog Show Presented by Purina 2009 provided plenty of suspense as viewers anxiously waited for the winner to be announced. Held at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, the National Dog Show followed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on NBC's TV line-up and offered a Thanksgiving day alternative to those who don't watch football. Promoters are hoping that the National Dog Show Presented by Purina becomes a family Thanksgiving TV watching tradition.

John O'Hurley is the 2009 host. O'Hurley is best known for playing J. Peterman on TV's Seinfeld, hosting the game show Family Feud, and being a runner-up on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Promoters choose O'Hurley because of his affable nature, gentle humor, and his love of dogs (he has three).

The National Dog Show Presented by Purina 2009 has seven categories, or groups, of dogs. A winner is announced in each of the following groups: sporting, working, terrier, hound, herding, non-sporting, and toy groups. The winners from each group go on to compete for the title of Best in Show.

Definitions and Examples of the Seven Groups in the National Dog Show Sponsored by Purina 2009:

The Sporting Group covers dogs that were originally bred to hunt game birds on both land and in water. These dogs require regular, invigorating exercise and are excellent companions and family pets. Examples of dogs in the Sporting Group include the Brittany, cocker spaniel, Irish Setter, pointer, and weimaraner.

The Working Group covers dogs bred to provide a working function such as cart pulling, sled pulling, guarding duties or rescue duties. These dogs are generally larger breeds that display strength and intelligence. They're good companion dogs but often too big for families with small children. Examples of dogs in the Working Group are doberman pinschers, huskies, Great Danes, mastiffs, rottweilers, and Saint Bernards.

The Terrier Group covers dogs that were originally bred to hunt vermin. They make good pets for people who enjoy a high-spirited dog, but they often don't get along with other dogs. They can range in size from very small to very large. Examples of dogs in the Terrier Group are Airedale, Cairn terrier, Bedlington, and miniature schnauzer.

The Hound Group covers dogs that are commonly used for hunting game either by sight or scent. Hounds are a diverse group, so it's difficult to generalize. For instance, some hounds bay, which is a drawn-out howling noise, and some don't. Examples of Hound Dogs are any dog with the word hound in its name (bloodhound, greyhound, otterhound), beagles, salukis, and whippets.

The Herding Group covers dogs that were developed to herd and work livestock. This group was formerly part of the Working Group. These dogs are known for their intelligence and, of course, their herding instincts. They make excellent companions and are good with children. Examples of dogs in the Herding Group are the German shepherd, collies, sheepdogs, the Australian cattle dog, and the puli.

The Non-sporting Group covers dogs that may formerly have been bred to hunt or work but that are now raised chiefly as house pets and companions. The size, coat, personality,and overall appearance of dogs in this group varies widely. Examples of Non-sporting dogs are bichon frise, dalmatian, French bulldog, English bulldog, and Lhasa apso.

The Toy Group covers small dogs who were originally bred to be lap or companion dogs. Toy dogs are known for being delightful, and are ideal for people who live in apartments or small spaces. They're also known for being some of the most expensive dogs to maintain. Examples of dogs in the Toy Group are: Maltese, pug, shih tzu, poodle, and Pomeranian

And the Winners of the National Dog Show Sponsored by Purina 2009 Are:

Sporting Group: DJ, labrador retriever
Working Group: CJ, doberman pinscher
Terrier Group: Sadie, Scottish terrier
Hound Group: Cupid, petit basset griffon vendeen (PBGV)
Herding Group: Roy, bearded collie
Non-sporting Group: Razzle Dazzle, bulldog
Toy Group: Major, miniature pinscher

National Dog Show Sponsored by Purina 2009 Best in Show Winner: (earning her 100th Best in Show win) Sadie, the Scottish terrier!

Sources:
Group definitions: http://dogtime.com/definition/
Characteristics and breed examples: http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm
Winners: National Dog Show Sponsored by Purina 2009, NBC