The National Dog Show will be broadcast on NBC on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2025, beginning at noon Eastern and running until 2 p.m. ET, with over 180 breeds competing for the blue ribbon and the title of Best In Show.

Televised dog shows and other media exposure can temporarily boost the popularity of featured breeds by increasing public awareness and demand, similar to the well‑documented effect movies can have on registrations. The AKC has noted that when a breed is thrust into the media spotlight, registrations and public interest often rise for a time.

Handlers and exhibitors use a range of resources to prepare for the National Dog Show. Owners preparing pets for competition are advised to review breed‑specific rules and standards from the AKC and to ensure the dog meets conformation criteria for appearance, temperament and structure without alterations such as spaying or neutering that might affect eligibility in certain classes. Professional handling, targeted conditioning and ring practice are typical elements of a competitive preparation program, and organizations such as the National Kennel Club publish guidance on how to ready a dog for show events.

The National Dog Show traces its roots to the Kennel Club of Philadelphia Dog Show, first held in 1879, making it one of the oldest continuous dog shows in the United States and a founding‑club event of the American Kennel Club (AKC). The show’s visibility increased in the early 2000s after a renewed public interest in breed competition; the televised Thanksgiving tradition grew as broadcasters sought programming to accompany holiday viewers.