On Thanksgiving Day, many dog lovers will be excited to check out the annual National Dog Show presented by Purina, a two-hour NBC special that airs across America on Thanksgiving Day following the Macy’s parade. The National Dog Show is hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia as an annual celebration of dogdom, dating back to 1879.
The TV special is a celebration of America’s fascination with man’s best friend, hosted by beloved TV personality John O’Hurley, best known as “J. Peterman” on Seinfeld. O’Hurley is joined by expert analyst David Frei, the voice of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on USA Network and America’s foremost authority on the sport. NBC’s Mary Carillo will report from the busy backstage benching area as the dogs prepare to compete.
Olympic figure skaters Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski will be on special assignment at the show. Weir is the 2008 World bronze medalist and a three-time U.S. National Champion. Lipinski won the gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in the ladies’ singles event, becoming the youngest Olympic gold medalist in ladies’ figure skating in an individual event. With their coverage of the Olympic Games and other events for NBC, Weir and Lipinski have become popular television personalities who will now lend their distinctive presence to The National Dog Show.
The Philadelphia cluster of American Kennel Club (AKC)-sanctioned dog shows is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country. Over 175 AKC-sanctioned breeds and varieties, including seven new breeds for 2015, will be among some 1,700 of the nation’s top dogs to compete for the title of “Best in Show” in the November competition open to all registered purebred dogs.
The National Dog Show is also one of only four “benched” format shows remaining in the United States. “Benched” format means that the show is open to the public and the canines are on display all day long so that attendees of all ages can see the dogs up close and meet their owners.
This year, the National Dog Show will introduce seven new AKC sanctioned breeds:
Lagotto Romagnolo: Sporting Group
Berger Picard: Herding Group
Miniature American Shepherd: Herding Group
Cirneco dell’Etna: Hound Group
Boerboel: Working Group
Bergamasco: Herding Group
Spanish Water Dog: Herding Group
The National Dog Show Presented by Purina is produced by Carson International of Ketchum, ID, the world’s most prominent producer and packager of canine events for live audiences and television.
The National Dog Show Presented by Purina will air on NBC on Thanksgiving Day, November 26 from noon- 2 p.m. in all time zones.
The live show date was Saturday, Nov. 14-15. Purebred dogs from over 175 AKC-sanctioned breeds, including many of America’s elite show dogs and their owners and handlers, competed for “Best of Breed,” “First in Group” and the ultimate title of “Best in Show.” The show was held in Philadelphia at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, located at 100 Station Avenue in Oaks, PA, adjacent to historic Valley Forge, just 15 miles west of Center City Philadelphia.
Image: The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show via Facebook