The 23rd annual National Dog Show, presented by Purina, returns on November 28, Thanksgiving Day, with approximately 2,000 dogs from 205 different breeds all competing for the prestigious title of “Best in Show.”
The National Dog Show is an open, all-breed show run by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and authorized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), meaning any AKC-registered dog can enter to compete. It is known as America’s most prominent and most watched showcase for the sport.
How are the winners selected?
Each dog breed in the competition is assigned to one of seven groups that represent the characteristics and functions for which the breeds were originally bred.
The seven groups include sporting, hunting, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting and herding. Each dog is judged based on its overall appearance, temperament and structure as described in the official breed standard.
The seven dogs that win “First In Group” in each of the seven categories will then compete against each other for the coveted title of “Best In Show” and $20,000.
How can it be looked at?
The two-hour show reaches an audience of nearly 20 million viewers annually and airs nationally on NBC immediately following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from noon to 2 p.m. in all time zones.
It can be watched online via Peacock, NBC Sports and the NBC Sports app.
Who hosts?
The competition is hosted by John O’Hurley, “Seinfeld” star and winner of “Dancing with the Stars”; Mary Carillo, Emmy-winning NBC sports analyst; and David Frei, who has co-hosted the National Dog Show on NBC since its inception in 2002.
Which dogs won in the past?
Last year’s winner was a little white Sealyham terrier named Stache.
And every National Dog Show from 2013 through 2023 is now available to stream on Peacock. NBC and Peacock are owned by NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
