National Dog Show 2024 News, Videos, Highlights, Results & More

November 29, 2024 by jacqueline

The National Dog Show, a prestigious event that has been a part of American culture since 1879, brings together the best of the best in the dog world to compete for the coveted title of “Best in Show.” Sanctioned by the American Kennel Club and organized by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, this all-breed benched conformation show is held annually on Thanksgiving Day. It is a celebration of purebred dogs, where breeders, handlers, and dogs showcase their hard work, talent, and beauty to a national audience. Broadcast by NBC since 2002, the show has become a beloved holiday tradition, attracting millions of viewers who tune in to watch the excitement unfold after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

National Dog Show 2024

While the National Dog Show is known for its competition, it is also a family-friendly event that highlights the bond between dogs and their owners, as well as the dedication required in the world of competitive dog shows. The event stands as one of the last remaining benched dog shows in the United States, a format where each dog is individually showcased in its designated space, allowing the public to get up close and personal with the competing canines. The show’s significance extends beyond entertainment; it plays a vital role in the promotion of responsible breeding practices, the preservation of purebred dogs, and the enhancement of dog-owner relationships.

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National Dog Show History and Television History

Key Dates	Milestones
1879	Kennel Club of Philadelphia Dog Show established
1927	Show temporarily ends, resumes in 1933
2002	NBC Sports begins televising the show on Thanksgiving
2020	Show held behind closed doors due to COVID-19
2023	2023 marked the 144th National Dog Show

Television History of the National Dog Show

Year	Broadcast Information
2002	First year aired on NBC
2005	Show rebrands as “The National Dog Show” after gaining popularity
2020	Show airs behind closed doors due to pandemic restrictions
2023	National Dog Show airs after the Macy’s Parade, hosted by John O’Hurley and David Frei

National Dog Show Key Competitions and Winners

Year	Breed	Winner’s Name
2001	Labrador Retriever	Gustavus Brady (“Gus”)
2005	Colored Bull Terrier	Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid (“Rufus”)
2012	Wire Fox Terrier	Afterall Painting the Sky (“Sky”)
2020	Scottish Deerhound	GCH Foxcliffe Claire Randall Fraser (“Claire”)
2024	Pug	GCHG Andi In Cahoots (“Vito”)

Best in Show History of the National Dog Show

Year	Breed	Winner’s Call Name
2001	Labrador Retriever	Gus
2015	Skye Terrier	Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie (“Charlie”)
2018	Whippet	Pinnacle Tennessee Whiskey (“Whiskey”)
2023	Sealyham Terrier	Goodspice Efbe Money Stache (“Stache”)

National Dog Show Impact on Popular Culture

Cultural Influence	Significance
Holiday Tradition	Becomes a part of Thanksgiving celebrations in American households
Television Influence	Reaches millions of viewers annually, drawing attention to the world of purebred dogs
Celebrity Engagement	Frequently features appearances from actors, athletes, and other public figures

Television Broadcast and Viewership

Year	Television Airing Time
2002	Televised after Macy’s Parade on NBC
2015	Broadcast at noon on Thanksgiving Day
2020	Airs behind closed doors with limited access
2023	Rebroadcasted on Friday and Saturday evenings

National Dog Show Role in Promoting Purebred Dogs

Event Focus	Impact
AKC-Conformational Shows	Promotes the standards of purebred dog breeding
Benched Dog Show Format	Allows for better understanding and appreciation of breeds
Public Engagement	Encourages responsible breeding and dog ownership

Benched Dog Show Format: What It Means

Benched Format Feature	Purpose and Impact
Dogs on Display	Public can observe dogs up close, learning about breed characteristics
Handler Engagement	Offers opportunity for handlers to interact with the audience
Judging Process	Judges assess dogs while they are on display, providing a transparent process

National Dog Show Sponsorships and Partnerships

Sponsor	Role in Show
Nestlé Purina PetCare	Presenting sponsor for many years
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia	Hosts the event, provides organizational support
Pet-related Companies	Many sponsor specific breeds or provide products for the event

Corporate Sponsorship of the National Dog Show

Sponsor	Contribution
Nestlé Purina PetCare	Financial support and promotional activities during the event
Toyota	Offers car models and promotional events linked with the dog show
Comcast	Broadcasting partner providing media and promotion

National Dog Show Contribution to Dog Breeding Standards

Area of Impact	Details
AKC Recognition	The show plays a role in recognizing and setting breed standards
Purebred Integrity	Showcasing the best representatives of each breed helps preserve breed standards
Dog Health and Welfare	Promotes healthy breeding practices and responsible ownership

Promoting Breeds and Health Standards

Breeding Focus	Goal and Benefits
Health Screenings	Ensures that only healthy dogs are bred, benefiting the future generations of the breed
Genetic Diversity	Aims to avoid inbreeding, maintaining strong gene pools for various breeds
Ethical Breeding Practices	Promotes responsible breeders who prioritize the health and well-being of the dogs

National Dog Show A Family Tradition

Aspect of Show	Family Engagement
Entertainment for All Ages	The show appeals to viewers of all generations, creating a fun family event
Accessibility	The event’s televised nature makes it accessible to families across the nation
Viewer Participation	Viewers often root for dogs of specific breeds, enhancing family engagement during the show

The Family-Friendliness of the National Dog Show

Feature	Family Appeal
Accessibility via TV	Families can watch the show together at home during Thanksgiving
Kid-Friendly Content	Educational and enjoyable for children to learn about different dog breeds and their traits
Family-Owned Dogs	Many handlers participate with family-owned dogs, making the event more relatable and warm

National Dog Show Influence on Dog-Owner Relationships

Relationship Impact	Details
Strengthens Bond with Pets	Highlights the deep bond between dog owners and their pets, inspiring others to strengthen their relationships with their dogs
Promotes Responsible Ownership	Encourages pet owners to take care of their dogs and become better stewards of their breeds
Inspires Dog Adoption	Show helps raise awareness of various breeds available for adoption

Dog-Owner Dynamics at the National Dog Show

Owner Role	Significance
Caretaker	Owners often act as caretakers who invest time and effort into training and preparing their dogs
Handler	In many cases, owners double as handlers, showcasing the strong connection they share with their dogs
Advocate for the Breed	Owners represent their breeds, advocating for responsible breeding and fostering awareness about breed characteristics

National Dog Show in 2024 and Beyond

Future Plans	Predictions
Continued TV Broadcasts	The National Dog Show will continue to be a staple on Thanksgiving television
Expanding Reach	Efforts will be made to expand its audience globally, showcasing American dog breeds to the world
New Breeds and Categories	As dog breeding evolves, more breeds may be introduced, and new categories of competition may emerge

Looking Ahead to the Future of the National Dog Show

Future Changes	Significance
Virtual Participation	Incorporating virtual engagement for viewers who can’t attend the show in person
Expanded Audience Reach	Aiming to attract younger audiences and more diverse viewers by expanding the show’s media presence
New Judging Categories	Incorporating new categories or event types to keep the competition fresh and interesting

National Dog Show Summary

The National Dog Show, a beloved Thanksgiving tradition, showcases the best purebred dogs from around the country. Sanctioned by the American Kennel Club and organized by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, the show has been televised by NBC since 2002. It plays a significant role in promoting responsible breeding, dog-owner relationships, and purebred dog standards. The event features a benched format where dogs are displayed for public interaction and judging. With millions of viewers each year, it remains a key cultural event in the United States, celebrating both the beauty and talent of dogs.