The National Dog Show returns Thursday, Nov. 27, and NBC will air the holiday tradition at noon across all U.S. time zones, according to People. The two-hour broadcast remains one of the few major dog competitions on American television and continues to draw strong audiences who tune in for its mix of competition, charm, and holiday comfort.
The show takes place at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. Although the judging happens the weekend before Thanksgiving, NBC packages the highlights into a family-friendly special that has become a Thanksgiving fixture. With more than 2,000 dogs representing over 200 breeds, the event offers an energetic look at the countryâs top canine competitors.
How to Watch
NBC will air the National Dog Show at noon local time. Viewers can stream the show on the NBC website or the NBC app, according to TV Insider. The networkâs streaming options work on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and most smart televisions.
Viewers can also watch through their cable providerâs NBC livestream or through streaming platforms that offer NBC. The network has not announced additional encore broadcasts, so checking devices and logins ahead of time can help avoid missing the opening moments.
Veteran dog-show analyst David Frei and actor John OâHurley will return as hosts. NBC Sports contributor Mary Carillo will also join the broadcast team. People reported that the trio will guide viewers through each judging category and help explain breed standards clearly and engagingly.
What to Expect This Year
Seven breed groups compete for the top honor of Best in Show. They include the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding groups. Judges evaluate dogs on structure, movement, and how closely each embodies its breedâs standard.
A new breed will appear for the first time in 2025. Forbes reported that the American Kennel Club will debut the Lancashire Heeler in this yearâs competition. The small herding breed earned full AKC recognition earlier this year, which made it eligible to compete nationally. The debut marks one of the showâs most notable updates and may draw extra interest from longtime fans.
The National Dog Show has aired on Thanksgiving since 2002. NBC Philadelphia reported that the event attracts tens of thousands of in-person spectators and millions of television viewers each year. As families gather and kitchens fill with the sound of holiday preparations, the broadcast offers a simple, cheerful watch that appeals to viewers of all ages.
For some households, the National Dog Show fills the quiet hours between the Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade and evening football games. For others, it is the dayâs main entertainment. The showâs warm tone and light competition give it an easy place in the Thanksgiving lineup.
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