We ’re firmly in heel show time of year now , folks .

What better mode to get through the concluding days of this miserable twelvemonth than by watching adorable , oh - so - talented dogs strut their poppycock ? Even if it ’s only through the TV screen , watching top notch wiener and their handler as they compete for the title of Best in Show is some of the most fascinating amusement a pet lover could ask for . The AKC National Championship click show hits air this calendar month , with two shipway for watcher to take in from base .

The AKC National Championship dog is look at North America ’s large dog event , and pick out post a month after a gorgeousScottish deerhoundnamed Claire pull ahead Best in Show at the National Dog Show . The National Championship boast hundreds of dogs who will contend in not only the conformation dog-iron show — the “ Best in Show ” spectacle you see on television — but also in agility , obedience , and hurrying competitions .

dog held next to award

Photo: American Kennel Club

How To Watch the National Championship Dog Show Online

you’re able to view the conformation show live this weekend ( Dec. 12–13 ) on-line atakcchampionshiplive.com , but cyberspace looker will involve to compensate for access . It ’s not much—$3 for one day of action or $ 5 for both Saturday and Sunday — but the price help the AKC cover the effect , which is occur without any in - person fine fans this year due to thecoronavirus pandemic . Any money remnant will be donated to dog - related charities , the club says .

How To Watch the National Championship Dog Show for Free

Do n’t want to ante up ? That ’s fine . TheAKC and ESPN joined forcesto bring dog show fans outcome they can now watch from the consolation of the lounge , including this year ’s AKC National Championship . The only drawback ? You ’ll have to await to get your dog show fix , since the challenger will be beam on Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. easterly on ABC .

So , to be clear : you could pay to watch the show online this weekend , or you could watch it on ABC in about a month . Or both !

However , there ’s still plenty of competitions you could watch this weekend for loose . Want to see domestic dog consort really , really loyal ? Want to see them change directions quickly ? How about masters of obedience ? They have all that onAKC.tv , free of cathexis . Check out theschedule of eventsto see what part of the competitions will be streamed online , and at what times .

How Do Dog Shows Work?

For freshman , the AKC National Championship is a large ‘ un with a $ 50,000 heroic prize . Because she took home the enceinte ribbon at the National Dog Show , Claire the Scottish deerhoundis one of the Best in Show favorites for this week ’s AKC National Championship , too .

And remember : No matter how much we ’d like it to be , dog shows are not “ cutest wienerwurst ” competitor where the dogs compete against each other . The click are valuate by esteemed justice to see which one of them is the good example of their stock standard .

It’slike a pyramid . First , all the dogs come in in the show are separated into the groups of each of their strain . The breed achiever then represent the breed in the group stage . There are seven groups — herding , hound , non - sporting , sporting , terrier , miniature , and working domestic dog breed — and the achiever of each group makes it to the Best in Show doughnut .

There , a judge for the third time evaluates the dogs according to their breeds ’ monetary standard and determine which one is the beneficial of the best . Last year , it was an extremely floofyPekingesenamed Wasabi who take home the good in Show title and noble-minded prize money .