Thanksgiving Day: National Dog Show Presented by Purina Set to Unveil Best in Show Canine

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NBC’s Thanksgiving Day special, “The National Dog Show Presented by Purina,” will crown one of the sport’s great show dogs as Best in Show on Thursday, November 23, bringing canine competition and holiday family entertainment to millions for the 22^nd straight year.

The coverage of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia event airs from 12-2 p.m. in all time zones following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and before football-watching takes over the day.  The broadcast is seen annually by an estimated total audience of over 20 million in what has become an American holiday tradition.  An encore presentation will also air in primetime on Saturday, November 26, from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT/MT).

The National Dog Show Presented by Purina is hosted by John O’Hurley (“Seinfield” and “Dancing with the Stars”) and expert analyst David Frei, one of America’s foremost experts on all things canine. Olympics host and tennis analyst Mary Carillo joins as sideline reporter for a broadcast.

As a featured part of the two-hour special, Purina’s Thanksgiving’s Top Dog contest culminates with viewers able to vote during the broadcast for consumer entries submitted via social media in November. Fans can vote for one of the five finalists here on Thanksgiving Day during the telecast from 12 p.m. ET – 4:59:58 p.m. ET while the two-hour special is airing across the country.

The National Dog Show Presented by Purina will simulcast on Peacock and be available via NBC Sports online, or through the NBC Sports app, which is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.

NBC’s digital offering will also include on-demand coverage of all seven groups plus Best in Show. NBCSports.com and NationalDogShow.com will provide video of the examination of every breed in the group judging competition with specific commentary by Wayne Ferguson, the president of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, here following the broadcast.