Thanksgiving Day is almost here, which means the most-watched dog show in the country is also almost upon us. Thousands of the nation’s top dogs will compete in the 2024 National Dog Show in hopes of being named Best in Show.
As Daily Paws reports, here’s how to watch and what to watch for at the 2024 National Dog Show, presented by Purina.
About the 2024 National Dog Show
No spoilers! Although it isn’t televised until Thanksgiving Day, the 2024 National Dog Show was actually held earlier in the month on Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks in Oaks, Pennsylvania.
The National Dog Show is open to all dogs registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and is hosted by The Kennel Club of Philadelphia, which has hosted dog shows since 1879. This year’s event is rumored to have featured over 2,000 dogs across 194 breeds.
When/Where is the 2024 National Dog Show Televised?
To catch all the action the National Dog Show is sure to offer, make sure to tune into NBC or Peacock from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. local time on Thanksgiving Day.
How the Pups Qualify to Compete
As with every competition, National Dog Show contestants are subject to certain criteria to determine who’s the best of the best. Here’s how it all shakes down throughout the two-day event.
Eligibility
The National Dog Show is an open show, meaning any dog registered with the AKC is able to compete—regardless of previous dog show experience. There are 201 registered AKC breeds and 12 additional varieties. The newest dog breed to be recognized by the AKC is the Lancashire Heeler, who was welcomed to the club in Jan. 2024. The Heeler is part of the Herding Group and is eligible to compete this year.
Best of Breed
The pups first gather in groups featuring all the dogs at the show of the same breed or variety of breed. The dog judged as the closest representation of the breed standards moves on to the group stage. For example, the Best of Breed golden retriever competes against fellow Sporting Group breeds, like the Labrador retriever or Irish setter.
First in Group
The Best of Breed winners move on to one of seven groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Judges again evaluate the dogs on how best they match their breeds’ standards. The dogs who win the groups move on to the Best in Show ring.
Best in Show
The final showdown features the seven group winners, and the best of the best are once again judged against their breed’s standards to determine who is the top dog of them all.
Do you remember Who Won the 2023 National Dog Show?
Stache, a Sealyham terrier from Pennsylvania, took home the show’s top prize in 2023. Stache was hailed as “the epitome of an excellent dog” by judges due to his level of showmanship, pristine condition and breed type.
Sealyham terriers are incredibly rare dogs, but Stache had champion genetics on his side—his grandfather won Best in Show at the AKC National Championship in 2007.
Which canine will be named champion this year? Only time will tell.
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Photo Credit: Karen Appleby / Shutterstock.com