Introduction
The AKC Thanksgiving Dog Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious dog shows in the United States. Officially called the “National Dog Show,” it has been held annually by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia every Thanksgiving since 1933. The roots of the show date back to 1879, when the Kennel Club of Philadelphia hosted its first dog show. After being held annually through 1927, the show took a hiatus during the Great Depression, before returning in 1933 where it has continued the tradition every Thanksgiving. While other major dog shows like the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show predate it, the AKC Thanksgiving Dog Show stands out for its unique Thanksgiving Day timeslot that families have made an annual viewing tradition.
What is the AKC Thanksgiving Dog Show?
The AKC Thanksgiving Dog Show, officially called the National Dog Show, is one of the most popular dog shows in the United States. It is hosted annually by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and sanctioned by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The contest showcases the AKC’s seven different breed groups with competitions for Best in Group and Best in Show (AKC).
The National Dog Show takes place every Thanksgiving Day following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It airs on NBC starting at 12 pm in all time zones. More than 2,000 dogs compete each year, making it one of the largest dog shows in the country. The event is held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania.
What Time Does Coverage Start?
The AKC National Championship Dog Show broadcast begins at 12:00 PM EST on Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd, 2023. Coverage runs for 2 hours, ending around 2:00 PM EST. The show takes place at the Expo Center in Orlando, Florida but is broadcast on NBC for viewers across the country (Source).
For viewers in other time zones, the coverage will be adjusted. On the West Coast, the show begins at 9:00 AM PST. In the Central time zone, it starts at 11:00 AM CST. The show is always scheduled to air from 12-2 PM local time in whichever city it takes place that year.
The NBC broadcast shows edited highlights and select breeds and groups. Viewers can stream the full preliminary judging and all dog competitions in real time by downloading the AKC app.
What Channels Air the Show?
The AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin airs on several major networks on Thanksgiving Day. The main broadcast airs on NBC from 12-2 pm in all time zones. The event is also simulcast on NBCSN and streamed on Peacock. Additionally, the dog show can be viewed Thanksgiving evening on NBC from 8-10 pm local time.
The national dog show has aired on NBC since 2002 and continues to draw strong viewership during the holiday. Alongside the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the AKC dog show has become a Thanksgiving tradition for many households.
Who are the Hosts?
The 2022 National Dog Show is hosted by actor John O’Hurley, sports commentator Mary Carillo, and expert analyst David Frei.https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/watch-national-dog-show/ This is O’Hurley’s 20th year hosting the event. He is best known for playing J. Peterman on Seinfeld. Carillo is a former professional tennis player and has been a host on NBC since 1992, covering events like the Olympics. Frei co-hosted the Westminster Dog Show for 27 years and is an expert in dog breeds and judging.
What Are the Competitions?
The AKC Thanksgiving Dog Show features several levels of competition across different breed groups. Dogs first compete against others of the same breed to determine the best in breed. There are over 200 breeds eligible to compete.
The winning dog from each breed then advances to compete against other dogs within their AKC group. There are seven major groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. The top dog in each group is named Best in Group.
The seven Best in Group winners then compete head-to-head for the title of Best in Show, the highest award at the AKC Thanksgiving Dog Show. The Best in Show winner epitomizes the ideal specimen of its breed and exhibits perfect showmanship.
There are also agility and obedience competitions held during the event, where dogs maneuver obstacle courses and demonstrate their training. However, these competitions do not contribute to Best in Show.
Over 2,000 dogs compete at the AKC Thanksgiving Dog Show each year. Winning Best in Show is a prestigious achievement in the dog show community.
Popular Breeds
Some of the most popular breeds that compete at the AKC National Championship dog show include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, and Poodles, according to rankings by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The competition features dogs from over 190 breeds, but certain breeds like Labs and Goldens consistently rank among the top contenders and fan favorites.
Labrador Retrievers have been the AKC’s most registered breed for over 20 years. They are athletic, friendly, and highly trainable. Golden Retrievers are also immensely popular family dogs thanks to their sweet, gentle nature. German Shepherd Dogs are revered for their intelligence and working ability. Poodles come in three sizes – standard, miniature, and toy – and are incredibly smart and eager to please.
Other popular breeds at the show include French Bulldogs, Bulldog, Beagles, Rottweilers, and Dachshunds. Certain rare breeds also attract attention and interest from spectators.
Controversies
The AKC Thanksgiving Dog Show has faced some controversies over the years. In 1895, tragedy struck when eight dogs were poisoned at the show, including prize-winning greyhounds (Insider). This led to major security changes for future shows.
Animal rights activists have criticized dog shows like the AKC for promoting unethical breeding and inbreeding of purebred dogs, as well as subjecting dogs to unnecessary grooming and “conformation” judging that puts appearance above health (Treehugger). Some consider dog shows to be cruel and exploitative of dogs.
In 2023, there was an incident in Florida where a dog attacked its handler, causing injuries. This raised concerns about the safety protocols at dog shows (Insider). Overall, while popular with many dog enthusiasts, dog shows like the AKC Thanksgiving Dog Show have provoked ethical debates about purebred breeding and the treatment of show dogs.
Impact and Popularity
The National Dog Show has become an American Thanksgiving tradition since it began airing on Thanksgiving Day in 2002. Over the years, it has grown into one of the most watched dog shows in the United States. According to NBC, the broadcast is seen by a total audience of over 20 million viewers annually.
The 2020 National Dog Show brought in over 18.6 million viewers during primetime on Thanksgiving Day. While down from previous years, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was still one of the most watched dog shows of the year and a strong ratings performer for NBC. The 2019 show had over 20 million viewers, continuing an impressive run of high viewership for the annual event.
Part of the appeal is its Thanksgiving Day timeslot, providing family-friendly entertainment alongside the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The National Dog Show has become a holiday tradition for many households, capping off their Thanksgiving festivities. Its broad appeal across demographics makes it one of the most popular dog shows for the general public in the United States.
How to Watch
The AKC National Championship Dog Show airs on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2022. Coverage begins at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on NBC. Viewers can watch the show on their local NBC station or stream it through NBC, the NBC Sports app, Peacock Premium, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV, Sling TV, and other providers.
The easiest way to stream the dog show is on NBCSports.com or the NBC Sports app. No cable subscription is required. Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android devices.
For those with a cable subscription, the show will be available on any NBC channel. Streaming options include the NBC channel apps or provider apps and websites like Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and more. Simply log in with your TV provider credentials.
The AKC National Championship runs for two hours, ending at 2 PM ET. An on demand replay will be available after it airs on Peacock Premium and other streaming platforms.