Two dogs with Lehigh Valley connections will be making an appearance at this weekend’s National Dog Show in Montgomery County.
There will be roughly 2,000 show dogs from 199 breeds at the show, being held Saturday and Sunday at the Greater Philadelphia Convention Center in Oaks. The Saturday show is the one that airs nationally every Thanksgiving.
Here is a look at the dogs with local ties who are competing:
Smooch
Macungie resident Becky Kline will be showing her 2-year-old Australian Cattle dog Smooch, which she bred herself.
“I’ve always enjoyed watching dog shows,” Kline said. “I’m kind of living my dream.”
Kline, who breeds Australian Cattle dogs at her farm property in Macungie, said Smooch, a female, turned 2 this summer. Smooch is not campaigned or backed by a professional handler, she said.
Kline has been participating in dog shows for years, and this weekend’s is Smooch’s second appearance at the dog show. Smooch, who loves giving kisses and getting attention, won best of opposite sex last year, beating out 24 other Australian Cattle dogs.
“She knows when we go to dog shows, what it means for her,” Kline said.
Smooch has done well at a number of shows so far, and is considered a bronze grand champion.
“For her to have all these points at two years old, I think is a pretty big accomplishment for her,” Kline said.
The Macungie resident said she always loved the herding-type dogs, such as the Australian Cattle dog.
“They’re just a good loyal companion as well,” she said.
Charley
Joanne Lawson, of Thornton, Delaware County, will be showing her 11-month-old poodle Charley, which was bred by Connie Unger in Northampton.
“It’s a great show,” Lawson said.
Charley, shown by handlers Paul and Crystal Clas, is Lawson’s first dog to enter the show in over a decade. At 11 months old, her dog is considered a grand champion after winning a certain amount of points in various competitions.
“For him to get it as a puppy, it’s a pretty big deal,” she said.
Lawson got Charley in January from She encouraged anyone interested in getting a dog to attend the show.
“To me, I think it’s a great source to meet a lot of breeders around the country,” Lawson said.
If you go
What: 2023 National Dog Show
When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19
Where: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, 100 Station Ave., Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County.
Tickets: Ages 12 and older, $16; children ages 4 to 11, $7; children age 3 and younger, free. To purchase, go to
