It ’s almost time for our furr - vorite Thanksgiving tradition .
Bill McCay / Getty Images
Thanksgiving Day is almost here , which means the most - watched wiener show in the country is also almost upon us . chiliad of the body politic ’s top dogs will compete in the 2024 National Dog Show in hope of being named Best in Show .
Photo:Bill McCay / Getty Images
Here ’s how to watch and what to watch for at the 2024 National Dog Show , presented by Purina .
About the 2024 National Dog Show
Although it wo n’t grace our televisions until Thanksgiving Day , the 2024 National Dog Show was actually harbour on Saturday , November 16 , and Sunday , November 17 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at oak tree in Oaks , Pennsylvania .
The National Dog Show is open to all dogs registered with theAmerican Kennel Club ( AKC)and is hosted byThe Kennel Club of Philadelphia , which has hosted dog showssince 1879 . This year ’s event is rumored to have boast over 2,000 dogs across194 breed .
How the National Dog Show Works
As with every competition , National Dog Show contestants are subject to sure criteria to define who ’s the best of the best . Here ’s how it all shakes down throughout the two - day event .
Eligibility
The National Dog Show is anopen show , meaning any frump register with the AKC is able to vie — regardless of previous dog show experience . There are 201 registered AKC stock and 12 additional varieties . The newest firedog breed to be recognized by the AKC is theLancashire Heeler , who was welcome to the lodge in Jan. 2024 . The Heeler is part of the Herding Group and is eligible to vie this year .
Best of Breed
The pups first gather in groups feature all the dogs at the show of the same breed or variety of breed . The dog judged as the closest representation of the breed monetary standard go on to the group stage . For model , the Best of Breedgolden retrievercompetes against fellow Sporting Group breeds , like theLabrador retrieverorIrish setter .
First in Group
The Best of Breed winners move on to one of seven groups : Sporting , Hound , Working , Terrier , Toy , Non - Sporting , and Herding . justice again evaluate the dogs on how best they play off their breed ' standards . The dogs who win the groups move on to the good in Show ring .
Best in Show
The concluding showdown features the seven group winners , and the beneficial of the best are once again pronounce against their strain ’s standards to find who is the top dog of them all .
Who Won the 2023 National Dog Show?
Maggie Fans / National Dog Show
Stache , aSealyham terrierfrom Pennsylvania , took home the show ’s top prizein 2023 . Stache was hail as " the epitome of an excellent hotdog " by judge due to his floor of showmanship , pristine condition and breed type .
Sealyham terrier are fabulously rare dogs , but Stache had champ genetics on his side — his grandfather won Best in Show at theAKC National Championshipin 2007 .
Stache the Sealyham terrier.Maggie Fans / National Dog Show
Which canine will be cite champ this year ? Only time will tell .
How to Watch the 2024 National Dog Show
To catch all the action at law the National Dog Show is sure to offer , make indisputable to tune up into NBC or Peacock from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. local sentence on Thanksgiving Day .
