More than 2,000 dogs representing 205 breeds took part in the 2025 National Dog Show, taped Nov. 15–16 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa. The competition was recorded over the weekend and will be presented as a two-hour special on Thanksgiving Day from noon to 2 p.m. on NBC stations nationwide, including local carriage on NBC Connecticut.

The National Dog Show is a benched breed show, a format that requires participating dogs to remain accessible to the public and physically on their own bench for the duration of the event. Spectators at the Expo Center could view the dogs on their benches between judging sessions, giving attendees the chance to observe grooming, handlers’ ring preparation and the varied appearances of breeds when they were not in the ring.

As a conformation, or breed, show the competition evaluates dogs against each breed’s written standard. The criteria used to judge dogs, and judges assess physical characteristics such as balance, size, head shape, coat texture and color, as well as gait and overall presentation. Judges also consider temperament where it affects the dog’s ability to perform the tasks or exhibit the qualities expected of the breed.

Organizers condensed two full days of in-person judging and presentation into a scheduled two-hour broadcast, giving home viewers a curated look at the weekend’s highlights. The taping accommodated the large field of entries and the benched format, allowing producers to capture breed-level judging, ring work and the behind-the-scenes grooming that accompanies preparing a dog for competition.

The National Dog Show occupies a long-standing place in NBC’s Thanksgiving lineup and this year’s telecast continues that tradition by condensing the weekend’s competition into the holiday time slot. The two-hour presentation will showcase winners from breed groups and the final Best in Show selection, providing a compact narrative of the event for viewers who could not attend in person.

Dog shows in the United States have deep roots. Organized exhibitions began soon after the Civil War; the first recorded American dog show—featuring 21 Pointers and Setters—was held in Chicago in 1874 and was modeled on mid‑19th‑century British conformation shows. The sport expanded rapidly after that first event, establishing the conventions and breed-focused judging that persist today.

Preparing a dog for a show involves extensive, specific work by owners and handlers. Competitors often socialize dogs thoroughly, exposing them to crowds, other dogs, grooming tables and varied surfaces so animals are confident and comfortable in the ring. Steps can dog owners take to prepare their pets for competition in dog shows include regular grooming, practice on the move to refine gait and stacking (the pose dogs present to judges), and participation in conformation handling classes to improve ring manners and presentation.

The National Dog Show’s benched format highlights both the competitive and the educational elements of conformation events: it allows judges to evaluate dogs under standard criteria while giving the public an up-close view of the breeds and the preparation that goes into presenting them. The taped Nov. 15–16 event at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center captured that full scope, and NBC’s Thanksgiving telecast will bring the weekend’s most notable moments to a national audience from noon to 2 p.m.

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Original reporting: view the original article.