Is watching The National Dog Show part of your family’s Thanksgiving tradition? If it is, mark your calendars for the 13th annual broadcast tomorrow on NBC, immediately following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Tune in for commentary from the telecast’s trio of hosts: actor John O’Hurley, AKC-licensed judge and author David Frei, and NBC Olympic Games correspondent Mary Carillo.
More than 1,500 canines will compete for the coveted Best in Show title, having to first secure Best of Breed and First in Group titles before making it to the final round. Two new breeds aim to shine in their National Dog Show debuts this year: the cuddly Coton de Tulear (in the Non-Sporting group) and the athletic Wirehaired Vizsla (in the Sporting group).
If you watched last year, you may remember that Jewel the American Foxhound made history by being the first-ever hound to win The National Dog Show, which was dominated by terriers in five of its first 11 years. But, as always, this year is anyone’s game!
Check out our photo gallery for the behind-the-scenes action that you may not see on TV tomorrow.
Fernando Salas of Oakland, New Jersey, gives a smooch to his 7-month-old Airedale Terrier, Reina. Her name means "queen" in Spanish.
Nukaq is a 2-year-old Belgian Tervuren whose name means "little sister" in Inuit. She and her sister, Valor, are both therapy dogs.
Chauncy the Komondor drew plenty of admiring fans who asked to touch his corded white coat.
Darby the Poodle gets pampered — er, groomed — before her turn in the ring.
Mark Goodwein of California holds his "50-pound lapdog," a Wirehaired Vizsla named Izzy.
Is there a more perfect name for this gorgeous Bedlington Terrier than Vogue? We don't think so!
What's so funny, Lucy? This 2-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi loved goofing off for the camera.
A handler adjusts her Great Dane in the show ring.
Thanks to her friendly personality and adorable bat ears, Maddie the 5-year-old French Bulldog made lots of friends in the benching area.
Two Shiba Inu dogs wait attentively outside the show ring.
Frannie the Bulldog slept like this for a while — unwittingly posing for more than a few pictures.
If you can’t tune in for the first telecast, which airs Thanksgiving Day from noon to 2 p.m. in all time zones, cover your ears and stay off Twitter so you can be surprised by the results during NBC’s encore broadcast on Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m.
So grab your remotes, call in your canines, and may the best dog win!