The National Dog Show will air on NBC on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, from 12 p.m. ET to 2 p.m. ET, immediately following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with John O’Hurley and David Frei returning as hosts.

The two-hour telecast will showcase entries from the 214 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, bringing a long-running conformation competition into millions of homes on a major holiday network. Founded by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia in 1879, the National Dog Show is among the oldest dog shows in America and reflects the country’s fascination with purebred dogs. Since NBC began broadcasting it on Thanksgiving Day in 2002, it has become a much-anticipated holiday tradition.

The show, produced as a Thanksgiving fixture, was staged Nov. 15–16 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and has been held annually since 1933. O’Hurley and Frei will guide viewers through the ring and announce finalists as judges award the coveted Best in Show ribbon. This award remains the visual and narrative climax of the broadcast, and commentators frequently reference prior notable winners, showcasing the event’s rich history.

The broadcast runs from noon to midafternoon Eastern Time and follows the parade, positioning the event as a traditional on-air complement to Thanksgiving festivities. With about 45.5% of U.S. households owning dogs, this segment of the viewing public is likely to be engaged and eager to see dog breeds that might belong to their own families.

Photographs from the in-person competition captured handlers and their dogs at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center; a selection of images from the event is available from Cincinnati.

The National Dog Show’s long run on Thanksgiving makes the broadcast a moment for viewers to see breed standards and ring presentation in a national setting. Organizers and commentators will also highlight past winners and the competition’s pageantry; as one piece of coverage noted, “Last year, a pug named Biggie won Best in Show.” — USA Today

Entry and judging follow American Kennel Club rules, with the contest representing the full range of AKC-recognized breeds. Dog owners interested in participating can ensure their pets are AKC-registered, healthy, and have attended appropriate handling classes to prepare them for competition.

The two-day live competition at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center narrowed dozens of breed winners down to those who would vie for group honors and the Best in Show nod during the televised program. For television viewers, the broadcast condenses the competitive arc into a single afternoon, while the expo center hosted the multiple rings and preliminaries over the Nov. 15–16 schedule. The telecast’s placement after the Macy’s parade has kept the program visible to a broad audience since NBC began airing it as part of Thanksgiving programming.

Veterinary and kennel-club commentary, ring-side interviews and studio segments are expected to round out the broadcast while judges deliberate on structure, gait and breed-specific presentation. The Best in Show award remains the visual and narrative climax of the two-hour broadcast, a ribbon that competitors covet and commentators reference throughout the afternoon. As interest in dog ownership continues to rise, the event showcases the passion and commitment of dog owners nationwide.

Television listings show the National Dog Show occupying a two-hour window on Thanksgiving Day, offering both casual viewers and enthusiasts a compact version of a months-long competitive season.

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Original reporting: view the original article.