Nearly 2,000 show dogs and 201 breeds are set for the 2025 National Dog Show! Get details, tickets, and showtimes for this canine classic.
Nancy Becker
The Weekly Brief
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PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show has finalized an impressive entry of 1,994 competitors, the highest since 2019, for the upcoming shows on Saturday and Sunday, November 15 and 16, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks.
A total of 201 breeds and varieties are listed for the Saturday show, marking the second time over 200 breeds will vie for Best in Show at Philadelphia. The American Kennel Club (AKC) lists 214 total breeds and varieties eligible for Conformation shows.
This year’s total of 1,994 show dogs is up from last year’s 1,941 and represents the largest entry since the pre-COVID years, ranking fourth among the Oaks-era shows since 2009.
Among the “exotic” breeds are the Xoloitzcuintli (16), Japanese Chin (6), and American Hairless Terriers (4). Other unfamiliar breeds not yet registered for full competition by the AKC are the Dutch Shepherd, Pyrenean Mastiff, Small Munsterlander, and Yakutian Laika.
The weekend festival of all things canine fulfills the non-profit Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s mission to educate the public about responsible pet care and the joys of dog ownership. Because of the educational mission, tickets are just $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 4-11, and free for children 3 and under, available at: www.nds.nationaldogshow.com and at the door. Parking at the Expo Center is also free.
The Saturday show is taped by NBC and aired on Thanksgiving Day to a total audience of over 20 million viewers. The two-hour special has become a national family holiday viewing tradition since its inception in 2002. The Sunday show is a completely separate dog show beginning at 8 a.m., with Best in Show scheduled for around 5 p.m.
The entry includes dogs from 40 states and Washington, D.C., as well as five foreign countries, demonstrating the broad appeal of the annual show leading into the holidays.
Among the largest entries this year are Golden Retrievers (46), Chesapeake Bay Retrievers (41), and Siberian Huskies (39). There are also 54 Junior Showmanship participants, highlighting the show’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of dog handlers.
Judging will commence with Breed competitions in 13 rings at the Expo Center, starting at 8 a.m., followed by Group judging at 1 p.m. in the Stadium Show Ring. Best in Show will be awarded after 6 p.m. or later on Saturday. Sunday’s Breed judging begins at 8 a.m., and Best in Show takes place around 5 p.m.
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia has organized this event since its inception in 1879 and has been a staple of the Philadelphia sports and entertainment calendar since 1933.
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Meet the Judges
Elizabeth Muthard shares insights on judging the Sporting Group at the 2025 National Dog Show, highlighting tradition and top breeds.
