Plot Synopsis

Each year on Thanksgiving Day since 2002, NBC has broadcast the NATIONAL DOG SHOW, which is a dog show sponsored by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia held earlier in November. As one of only five remaining "benched" dog shows, all of the competing breeds are on display all day for the visiting public. The show was founded in 1879 and has been held annually since 1933. The NDS is sanctioned by the American Kennel Club, and only purebred dogs registered with the AKC can compete. The AKC recognizes 212 dog breeds and varieties, split into seven groups (sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting and herding).

Past winners of NBC-televised events include:
2023: Stache (Sealyham Terrier)
2022: Winston (French Bulldog)
2021: Claire (Scottish Deerhound)
2020: Claire (Scottish Deerhound)
2019: Thor (Bulldog)
2018: Whiskey (Whippet)
2017: Newton (Brussels Griffon)
2016: Gia (Greyhound)
2015: Charlie (Skye Terrier)
2014: Nathan (Bloodhound)
2013: Jewel (American Foxhound)
2012: Sky (Wire Fox Terrier)
2011: Eira (Wire Fox Terrier)
2010: Clooney (Irish Setter)
2009: Sadie (Scottish Terrier)
2008: Holly (Pointer)
2007: Swizzle (Australian Shepherd)
2006: Vikki (Toy Poodle)
2005: Rufus (Colored Bull Terrier)
2004: Gracie (Smooth Fox Terrier)
2003: Raisin (Doberman Pinscher)
2002: Miki (Standard Poodle)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actor John O'Hurley and expert analyst David Frei return to host the 23rd Annual NATIONAL DOG SHOW, televised by NBC on Thanksgiving Day 2024 (Thursday, November 28) from Noon-2pm in all time zones. For the 2024 event, Mary Carillo also returns to offer her insights during the telecast. The National Dog Show took place at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA, with 1,940 dogs representing 205 breeds competing for the ribbon. The top pup at the National Dog Show is awarded the coveted Best in Show ribbon and $20,000.

No new American Kennel Club-sanctioned breeds are introduced in this year's competition, keeping the total recognized breeds and varieties eligible for competition to 212. Since the first NATIONAL DOG SHOW, broadcast in 2002, 51 new breeds have been introduced to the event.