The 2024 National Dog Show is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 28, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania, with a live telecast on NBC beginning at 12 p.m. ET. Staged as part of the Thanksgiving television lineup that follows the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the event will bring hundreds of dogs and their handlers to the expo center’s exhibition halls to compete for Best in Show and a grand prize of $20,000.

The midday broadcast, a fixture of holiday viewing for many Americans, will be available for replay on NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock after the live airing. NBC remains the program’s broadcast partner, and organizers say the timing helps preserve the show’s place in a predictable holiday schedule when audiences often move from parade coverage to live special programming.

Onsite, exhibition halls at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center will be filled with conformation rings where judges evaluate competitors against breed standards. Judges assess appearance, structure and temperament as dogs advance through breed and group rounds toward the final Best in Show ring. The format emphasizes traditional conformation judging even as other competitive formats and events continue to expand in the national dog-sport landscape.

Current trends influencing competitive dog shows in the United States include a surge in performance events like agility, obedience, rally and scent work, which are drawing participants away from traditional conformation shows, causing a nearly 28% decline in conformation entries over the past 20 years. Organizers and breed clubs have been adapting by emphasizing the spectacle and broadcast elements of major shows while continuing to support conformation as the centerpiece of events such as the National Dog Show.

For dog owners considering participation, preparation begins well before the show floor. Owners can prepare their pets for dog shows by ensuring the dog meets American Kennel Club (AKC) eligibility—six months or older, registered, of a recognized breed, intact, healthy and vaccinated—while prioritizing health through regular veterinary care, balanced nutrition and targeted exercise. Successful show preparation also focuses on breed-specific grooming and training to present the animal at its best in the ring.

There is occasional public confusion about prize money at major shows. The National Dog Show awards $2,000 to its Best in Show winner, a figure reflected in recent results such as the 2024 Best in Show champion, Vito the Pug. By contrast, other major events carry different approaches to awards—Westminster Kennel Club’s Best in Show, for example, traditionally confers prestige, trophies and ribbons rather than a cash prize.

Handlers, breeders and exhibitors view the National Dog Show as a high-profile stage: hundreds of competitors arrive each year seeking the few slots that move into the final judging ring. The event also draws vendors, breed clubs and spectators to the expo center, a venue accustomed to large-scale animal and consumer exhibitions. Local media and preview outlets have published scheduling and onsite details in advance; readers looking for event logistics can consult local coverage such as Explorewithcassie and industry reporting from outlets like PetAge for broader context.

Broadcast and event organizers have positioned the show to reach both traditional television audiences and streaming viewers via Peacock, preserving the program’s role in the holiday lineup while offering on-demand access after the live telecast. With its placement immediately following the Macy’s parade, the National Dog Show continues to serve as a predictable Thanksgiving viewing option for families and dog enthusiasts across the country.

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