The annual National Dog Show is arguably the best part of Thanksgiving Day. As food cooks in the kitchen and your stomach rumbles, why not lie back on the couch and watch 200 top dogs strut their stuff? Here’s everything you need to know about the canine competition.
The 2022 National Dog Show — presented by The Kennel Club of Philadelphia, licensed by the American Kennel Club —is broadcast on NBC on Thanksgiving day starting at noon in all time zones, right after the Macy’s Day Parade, 12 p.m. everywhere.
Watch the 2022 National Dog Show on NBC. It can also be streamed on NBC’s website and on other streaming apps such as Hulu Live and Youtube TV. The NBC app is available on mobile and connected devices, including Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire. Commentators include Mary Carillo, David Frei, and John O’Hurley.
Claire the Scottish Deerhound won Best in Show at the 2021 National Dog Show. It was her second consecutive year winning the award, as she also won Best in Show in 2020.
This is the 21st anniversary of the National Dog Show. It is also the first year that the 198th and 199th AKC-recognized breeds, the Mudi and Russian Toy, will be competing. Keep an eye out for the newest additions in the Herding Group and the Toy Group.
If you’re unfamiliar with dog shows, now is a great time to get learning! Study up on some of the common dog show terms you may hear during the show. Also, familiarize yourself with how a dog show winner is chosen. As a hint, the dogs are not judged against each other. Rather, each dog is judged against their individual AKC breed standard. The dog that best conforms to their breed standard advances or wins.
If you’re interested in watching a dog show in its entirety, you’ll want to check out the 2022 AKC National Championship on Dec. 16-18. All seven Groups, Best in Show, Puppy and Junior Stakes (Groups and Best in Show), Junior Showmanship Finals, Agility, Obedience, and Rally will be live-streamed on AKC.tv and will remain available on demand. Stay tuned for information on the official broadcast of the 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin.
Wish you were out there showing your dog? There are several ways to get started! If you have a mixed breed dog or a dog ineligible for conformation, don’t worry. There are plenty of other dog sports you can compete in, including Agility, Rally, and more!
Enjoy the holiday, but be aware of what Thanksgiving foods are safe and unsafe for your dog. The last thing you’ll want at the end of the day is a pup with an upset stomach!
Originally published at https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/watch-thanksgiving-national-dog-show/, syndicated with permission from akc.org.
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