10 Interesting Facts About The National Dog Show

If you are a dog lover, chances are that you’ve made watching The National Dog Show a part of your Thanksgiving traditions. Watching the beautiful pups strut around the ring and learning about breeds that you may not be familiar with can be quite entertaining, and waiting with anticipation for the announcement of the Best in Show winner is so exciting!

If you're interested in learning more about The National Dog Show, we have 10 fascinating facts just for you!

The 10 Interesting Facts About The National Dog Show

1. The National Dog Show Is Held by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia

The Kennel Club of Philadelphia (KCP) is an organization that has been around since 1879, making it even older than the American Kennel Club (AKC), which was established in 1884.

2. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia Has Been Hosting Dog Shows Since 1879

The KCP started an annual dog show in 1879, and it ran until 1927, when it went on hiatus. It resumed in 1933 and has been held every year since. The primary purpose of these dog shows is to create awareness about the importance of canine health, breed preservation, and responsible dog ownership.

3. The Televised National Dog Show Found Inspiration From a Movie

While the dog show itself has been around for over a hundred years, it’s only been televised since 2002. The head of NBC sports programming, Jon Miller, got the idea of televising The National Dog Show while watching the movie, “Best in Show,” and the rest is history!

If you’ve never seen “Best in Show,” do yourself a favor and watch it, particularly if you love comedies and dogs!

4. The National Dog Show Follows the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

While some Americans tune in to watch football after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, others watch The National Dog Show. It traditionally airs at noon on Thanksgiving Day and features hosts John O’Hurley (known for his work on “Seinfeld”), John Frei (known for his work with dogs), and journalist Mary Carillo.

5. The National Dog Show Is a Benched Show

The National Dog Show is currently the only benched show in the U.S., but what exactly does that mean?

The dogs that compete are required to stay on assigned benches when they're not being groomed, walked, or taking part in a competition. This enables all breeders, handlers, and spectators to meet the canines and ask their handlers questions. It takes a great deal of focus and discipline for the dogs to remain on the benches.

6. The National Dog Show Reaches Almost 20 Million Viewers

Approximately 24.5 million individuals watched The National Dog Show in 2022, and organizers anticipate that the number will continue to rise. The competition takes place over 2 days, commencing on the third Saturday in November and concluding on Sunday with the Best in Show winner.

7. 205 Dog Breeds Compete in The National Dog Show

In the early days of The National Dog Show, there were only about 160 breeds, but now there are 205 breeds and varieties.

A dog from each group is chosen as a winner, and then the seven winners compete against each other to become the Best in Show, which is the most coveted title.

8. About 2,000 Dogs Enter The National Dog Show

Every dog competing in The National Dog Show must be registered with the AKC. It is hard to believe that these 2,000 dogs are whittled down to seven and then one final winner for Best in Show!

9. The National Dog Show Contributes to Dog-Related Charities

Since The National Dog Show stresses the importance of dogs in our lives, it also contributes to canine-related charities. Previous beneficiaries have included New Leash on Life USA, The Utley Foundation, Morris Animal Refuge, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

10. There’s a Good Reason for the Dogs’ Long Names

Many of the dogs that participate in dog shows have long and sometimes unusual names, and there is a good reason for that. For instance, one dog's name is His Royal Highness Prince Gizmo House of Gremlin, commonly known as Gizmo, and another is Bow Chicka Wow Wow, usually referred to as Chicka.

These names usually reflect the dog's history, which might include their qualifications and the name of the kennel that they come from.

Other American Dog Shows

The National Dog Show is one of the biggest dog shows in the States, but there are also the AKC National Championship and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The Westminster Kennel Club is the oldest American organization, having been established in 1877.

Conclusion

The National Dog Show is a delightful spectacle for canine lovers! Throughout the competition, the judges evaluate the breeds’ appearance and personalities. They value a cheerful and lively demeanor, which means a dog's “smile” can play a significant role in influencing the judges' votes. This helps because all the pups are stunning in appearance. Also, a happy dog is always a winner in our eyes!

• Also see: Are There Mixed Breed Dog Shows?

Featured Image Credit: Mostovyi Sergii Igorevich, Shutterstock