Ketchum's Kathy Carson is a dog lover and her passion for canines has influenced her profession as an owner of Carson International, which is based in Ketchum. Carson has produced the ninth annual National Dog Show, which will air on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, from noon to 2 p.m. after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC. The show was taped on Saturday, Nov. 20.
"We are considered the largest producer of dog shows in the country," said Carson. "Our company is partners with NBC for the event."
Carson said her company does all the groundwork for the event, but the best part for her is the dogs. Carson also said quite a few valley businesses are used to help produce the show.
"The dogs are beautiful and everyone has their favorite breed," Carson said. "It is also interesting to see the dog show lifestyle. It's very much a passion for these people. They consider it a sport, and they take it very seriously."
The National Dog Show is a prestigious event, but Carson said there are some fun and humorous aspects to the broadcast as well. John O'Hurley, the "Seinfeld" ensemble actor who portrayed the catalogue king J. Peterman in "Seinfeld," and ultimate champion on ABC's inaugural "Dancing With the Stars" will once again host this year's broadcast.
Expert analyst David Frei, the voice of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on USA Network and America's foremost authority on the subject, will join O'Hurley for the broadcast. In addition, prominent television personality Mary Carillo will serve as sideline reporter and interviewer for the holiday broadcast.
The dog show will crown one of America's great show dogs as its 2010 champion on Thanksgiving Day from the more than 160 breeds competing in the tradition-rich Kennel Club of Philadelphia competition. This year's show will also introduce six new American Kennel Club-sanctioned breeds. These include the Boykin spaniel in the Sporting Group, the Leonberger and the cane corso in the Working Group, the Icelandic sheepdog in the Herding Group and the bluetick coonhound and the redbone coonhound in the Hound Group.
"I think there are millions of dog owners in the world," Carson said. "This show provides an education on what dog they want to get and about the dog they may already have. The show also has lots of informative facts on nutrition and lifestyle for dogs."
In addition, the show will feature a poster by Wood River Valley artist Kim Howard, who was commissioned to create the poster and other artwork for the show's program.
"The theme this year is 'A Thanksgiving Tail,' and Kim was able to create a beautiful piece with various dog breeds in a whimsical Thanksgiving setting," Carson said.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Wood River Valley artist Kim Howard created the poster for this year’s The National Dog Show, which will follow Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC on Thursday, Nov. 25.
