This year the National Dog Show will captivate millions of viewers on Thanksgiving day (25 Million in 2020!) and is a family tradition for many. Read on to learn all about the National Dog Show including when to watch, where to watch and the hosts that will be sharing their experience and interpreting the wonderful world of dog showing for us all.
National Dog Show History
A quick history of this famous show:
- The National Dog Show is hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia.
- The 2022 National Dog Show is the 21st annual showing of purebred dogs in the Philadelphia area.
- The Kennel Club of Philadelphia had its first purebred show in 1879 and it became an annual event in 1933.
- Over the last 8 years the Kennel Club of Philadelphia has donated 1 million dollars to helping dogs.
- Since its inception the Kennel club of Philadelphia estimates that one quarter of a billion people have watched it.
- Almost 1,500 dogs from among the 209 AKC-sanctioned breeds were entered into last year’s edition of The National Dog Show.
- The winner does not win any prize money!
Where is the National Dog Show Taking Place?
The National Dog Show is held in Philadelphia, PA. The live event of the National Dog Show actually occurs before the televised event. It was held on November 19 and November 20, 2022.
Where and When Can I Watch the National Dog Show?
The National Dog Show is airing on NBC at 12:00 PM in all time zones right after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. You can stream the show via NBCsports.com, Peacock, or the NBC Sports app at noon eastern time, according to NBC Sports. The app is available on mobile phones and streaming devices from Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon, and you’ll need login credentials from a television provider. (Same goes for the NBCsports.com.)
The Hosts of the National Dog Show
National Dog Show hosts are accomplished dog show participants and entertainers with credentials that rival a traditional sports program host.
John O’Hurley, host of the National Dog Show
Mr. O’Hurley, known to most as J. Peterman on Seinfeld is a host, actor and television personality. He is returning to the National Dog Show returns for his 21st consecutive year. He was not only dubbed one of People magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive,” he is the recipient of a Screen Actors Guild Award and was seen on Dancing with the Stars. He has authored three books – Before The Dog Can Eat Your Homework First You Have To Do It: Life Lessons from a Wise Old Dog to a Young Boy (Hudson Street Press, 2007), the New York Times bestseller It’s Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump (Plume, 2007),and his acclaimed book for children The Perfect Dog (Grosset &
Dunlap, 2013), which since its release has inspired The Perfect Dog, a musical designed for children’s
theatre.
Mary Carillo, host of the National Dog Show
Mary Carillo, is lifelong lover of man’s (and woman’s!) best friend, brings a wealth of experience to the National Dog Show team having hosted in 2009, 2013 and 2016. Best known for her work as a host and correspondent for the Olympic Games on NBC, she also serves as a television analyst for major event tennis coverage and as a correspondent for HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. Her distinguished career in broadcast journalism
has earned her two Peabody Awards. In 2010, Ms. Carillo was the first female recipient of the Dick Schaap Award for Outstanding Journalism. She has coauthored two books: Tennis My Way, with Martina Navratilova (Penguin, 1984) and Tennis Kinetics, with Rick Elstein (Simon & Schuster, 1985).
David Frei, host of the National Dog Show
David Frei, is considered America’s foremost authority on all things canine, an American Kennel Club (AKC)-licensed judge who has officiated dog shows all over the world, Frei hosted television coverage of “The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show” for 27 years (1990-2016). He has co-hosted the National Dog Show since its televised inception in 2002. Also a successful former breeder/handler/owner, he is proudest of the work his therapy dogs have done for many years at many famous prominent hospitals and healthcare institutions around the country. Frei’s is the author of two books and called by New York Magazine “probably the most famous human in the world of canines.
Previous Winners of the National Dog Show
The National Dog Show previous winners are diverse as the interests of the spectator’s interests themselves. From Poodles to Deerhounds previous winners have come from all different backgrounds.
The most famous winner is Scottish Deerhound Claire, a two time Best in Show Winner, described by judges as beautifully balanced and fitting the requirements of the Scottish Deerhound breed characteristics.
AKC Breed Groups to Watch
There are seven breed groups to watch that comprise the 212 registered AKC breeds and varieties. Each of the 212 registered breeds and varieties are assigned to one of the seven groups generally representing characteristics and functions for which the breeds were originally bred.
The seven breed groups are:
- Sporting
- Hound
- Working
- Terrier
- Non-Sporting
- Herding
- Toy
The seven group winners compete for Best In Show.
New Breeds In the National Dog Show
This year there are three new breeds participating in the National Dog Show, the Russian Toy, Bracco Italiano and the Mudi.
(If you are fascinated with dog showing learn more in Motherpuppin’ Adorable: What to do when your dog is better than everyone else’s our tongue-in-cheek guide to navigating life with your dog!)
