Watching the National Dog Show and cheering on hundreds of prolific prancing pups is as much a Thanksgiving tradition as piping hot turkey, warm apple pie and time spent with loved ones.
A tradition televised since 2002 that draws nearly 20 million television viewers, the National Dog Show will once again air on NBC this Thanksgiving right after Santa Claus ushers in the holiday season at the conclusion of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Co-hosts John O’Hurley and David Frei will reprise their roles as they have for 23 years, with on-site reporters Mary Carillo and Britney Eurton providing behind-the-scenes interviews.
Nearly 2,000 purebred American Kennel Club dogs represent 205 breeds who have practiced their paws off to earn the top spot in Best of Breed, First in Group and the most sought-after title of Best in Show and the $20,000 prize. That’s a lot of treats.
So pop the turkey in the oven and make your bets for who will be crowned this year’s top-performing pup.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s National Dog Show.
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How many dogs are competing in this year’s National Dog Show?
The National Dog Show will feature 205 breeds and over 2,000 dogs. In 2023, 199 different breeds and over 1,850 dogs were featured.
It’s a big marker of growth since the show debuted in 2001 (it was first televised on NBC in 2002) with 165 breeds and 1,400 dogs.
Are there any new breeds joining the National Dog Show this year?
Yes! A first-time breed will be making an appearance at this year’s show.
The sturdy little Lancashire heeler officially joined the club of official dog breeds in America in January, but they’ve been recognized in the United Kingdom since 1981. The heeler, as the name implies, were bred for herding and farm work, and while they are excellent family dogs, they are incredibly intelligent and driven and thrive on having a job to feel fulfilled, according to the American Kennel Club.
The breed will be represented this year by 5-year-old Kanji, whose small size may surprise you as he joins the Herding Group alongside much bigger dogs like the Australian shepherds and border collies.
Fun fact about the Lancashire (Lan-cash-shire) Heeler: They are known for drawing back their lips that emulates a human smile. Just for laughs, the pup “challenged” a 6-year-old Prince Louis, a Samoyed, at a press event held at the American Kennel Club earlier this month, with, no surprise, both pups taking the prize for Best in Smile.
How are the winners of the National Dog Show selected?
Let’s be honest, if the show was based on which dog makes you smile the most, they’d all win. But for the American Kennel Club-sanctioned event, it’s serious business.
In the first round of the National Dog Show, dogs of the same breed compete against each other based on how the dog fits the breed standards. The winner, named Best in Breed, will move on to represent their breed at the group level.
The AKC categorizes every breed into seven groups: Sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting and herding. The First in Breed from among each of these groups goes on to compete against each other for the coveted title of Best in Show and the $20,000 grand prize.
While the clear winner is all the dogs, judges evaluate the happy hopefuls based on “how closely each dog compares with the judge’s mental image of the perfect dog as described in the breed’s official standard,” according to the AKC. Judges consider the dog’s overall appearance, temperament and structure.
Who won Best in Show at last year’s National Dog Show?
The National Dog Show judges loved the Stache last year. To be clear, it was Stache, a cream-colored Sealyham terrier from Pennsylvania that bested the competition with his spirited attitude, tiny legs and, fittingly, his impressive long hair sweeping from his broad forehead.
Stache, who barely reached his handler’s knees as he flew around the ring, was the first Sealyham terrier ever to win the competition. He was also the first terrier to win Best in Show since 2015 when Charlie the Skye terrier secured the crown.
Stache, who lives in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, bested a group that included a German shepherd, a Great Dane, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, a Shih Tzu and an Azawakh, a hound originating from West Africa.
Pumpkin, a 4-year-old Dalmation, won second place last year, known as Reserve Best in Show.
Past Best in Show winners from the National Dog Show
Since it began airing on Thanksgiving Day on NBC in 2022, a wide variety of dog breeds have secured the Best in Show prize, including a 60-pound bulldog named Thor in 2019, a floppy-eared Bloodhound named Nathan in 2014 and Claire, a Scottish deerhound who made history and nabbed back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021. Here is the list of past show winners:
- 2023: Stache (Sealyham terrier)
- 2022: Winston (French bulldog)
- 2020 and 2021: Claire (Scottish deerhound)
- 2019: Thor (Bulldog)
- 2018: Whiskey (Whippet)
- 2017: Newton (Brussels Griffon)
- 2016: Gia (Greyhound)
- 2015: Charlie (Skye terrier)
- 2014: Nathan (Bloodhound)
Other pups that have gone on to win over the years include various breeds of terriers in 2012, 2011, 2009, 2005 and 2004. Also besting the competition over the years was Jewel the American foxhound, Swizzle the Australian shepherd and Raisin the Doberman Pinscher.
What dog breeds have won the National Dog Show multiple times?
Among the more than 30,000 dogs that have competed over the years, the Terrier Group remains the most successful, with seven Best in Show titles since 2022. The Scottish deerhound has nabbed two — both thanks to Claire.
While among the most popular dog breeds, the golden retriever, the labrador retriever and the German shepherd have never secured the prestigious Best of Show title at the National Dog Show.
How do I watch the National Dog Show?
- When: Thursday, Nov. 28
- What time will it air? 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. E.T. on NBC
- Where is it held? Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania
- Streaming info: Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app
Email: lcomstock@njherald.com; Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH or on Facebook.
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