Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Check out who’s top dog

National Dog Show on Thanksgiving has Ketchum roots

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By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Of all Sun Valley's connections to people and places throughout the world, one of the most beloved is to Purina's National Dog Show, hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. For eight years, this anticipated Thanksgiving tradition has been produced by Ketchum-based Carson International.

"I love dogs," said Kathy Carson, president of Carson International. "I love to provide entertainment to people and this is great entertainment for the family and anyone who loves dogs."

The National Dog Show will be aired on NBC local Channel 7 Thanksgiving Day at noon, immediately following the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year's dog show will feature three new breeds that have joined the American Kennel Club list—an Irish red-and-white setter, Norwegian buhund and Pyrenean shepherd.

Carson is also working on a show called the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, a series of three canine events to be held Jan. 8-9, at Whistler, B.C., before the Olympics. It will include avalanche rescue, ski joring, snow Frisbee and man-versus-dog on the hill.

"The best thing about what I do is it makes people happy," Carson said. "Lots of people from the Wood River Valley help us. I would like to do a major dog event here."

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com