The 2025 National Dog Show will return to television and streaming platforms on Thanksgiving Day, presenting over 180 breeds in a two-hour midday special beginning at noon on Thursday, Nov. 27. NBC will air the program nationwide while Peacock will offer a concurrent stream, a distribution split organizers say is intended to reach viewers on both traditional broadcast and digital platforms during the holiday. National Dog Show 2024: Pug wins Best in Show – NBC Sports

The American conformation competition consolidates group judging and the Best in Show round into a single, compact broadcast. The format is designed to allow fans to follow the progression from individual breed classes to group honors and the final Best in Show selection in one sitting during the two-hour window. Viewers can expect a sequence of breed presentations and ring judging culminating in the announcement of the top prize, a highlight many returning viewers anticipate after last year’s Best in Show win by Vito, a pug who earned a $20,000 award.

The National Dog Show showcases more than just ribbons and trophies. Organizers and major kennel groups involved in conformation events frame the broadcast as an opportunity to educate a broad audience about responsible pet ownership. The program often highlights proper breeding, training and care standards and points to health testing, temperament evaluation and welfare guidelines that apply across breeds—components that conformation competitions say help inform potential owners and breeders about long-term animal care.

For participants, the route into the ring follows established entry and eligibility rules for American Kennel Club–sanctioned events. To compete at shows like the National Dog Show, dogs must be individually registered with the AKC, be at least six months of age, belong to a breed with classes offered at the event, and meet their breed’s written standard. Owners and handlers typically enter through online systems managed by show superintendents; for many AKC shows that process is handled by firms such as Jim Rau Dog Show’s Online Registration, which accept entries through published closing dates and collect required fees.

Beyond entering dogs for competition, viewers who want to be more involved in the sport can find year-round opportunities. Many clubs offer handling classes and clinics, and local kennel clubs provide information on how to participate in or support events in the community. Those seeking to follow the field closely can also rely on pre- and post-event coverage; NBC Sports has archived reports and highlight reels from past shows, including coverage of pug winners and other standout moments.

The Thanksgiving broadcast’s national reach is designed to give a single viewing window for audiences across time zones, with simultaneous presentation on network television and streaming. Organizers have promoted the program as a concentrated showcase of canine excellence and handler skill, compressing long-day conformation schedules into a tightly produced two-hour special intended for holiday viewing.

Vito’s Best in Show victory last year remains the touchstone for many fans who return each season. The pug’s championship and the accompanying $20,000 award underscore the stakes for handlers and breeders who travel to present dogs that conform closely to breed standards and perform under ring pressure. For viewers, the program offers both competition and a primer on the standards and practices that underpin modern dog shows. What are the criteria for a dog to compete in shows like the National Dog Show?

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