This Thanksgiving, on Thursday, November 28, the 2024 National Dog Show airs right after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade from 12p.m. to 2p.m. on NBC and Peacock!
The competition itself takes place on November 16 and 17 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. It includes an agility show, the National Anthem ceremony, and the final judging to determine which dog will be this year’s “Best in Show.” “Best in Show” is chosen when the competition is narrowed down to a winner from each category: herding, hound, non-sporting, sporting, terrier, toy, and working. Each year, thousands of dogs that are hundreds of breeds come together to compete for that title. For over 20 years Purina has presented the dog show, and it has aired through NBC. The winner will receive a year’s supply of Purina Pro Plan dog food and $500 Chewy gift card. Last year’s winner was a small white Sealyham Terrier named Stache, befitting of the long fur around his muzzle. “He just gave a wonderful performance,” says Margery Good, Stache’s handler. Good adds, “He stretched his little, short legs and hands and flew around this ring.”
Hosting this year is sportscaster and former professional tennis player, Mary Carillo, enduring dog show host, David Frei, and John O’Hurley, who played J. Peterman on Seinfeld. Frei revealed his theory on NBC Insider for why the Thanksgiving dog show is so popular, “When a dog walks into the room, the energy changes… it makes people laugh and smile… the dog show works for everybody, whether it’s a three-year-old or their great grandmother.” Be sure to keep watching after the parade ends to see all the amazing dogs for yourself!
