The Thanksgiving tradition is back , with some socially - distant safe protocols in billet .

Will there be a National Dog Show in 2020 ? Yes , champion , the Thanksgiving tradition will go on , albeit as a small version due to the pandemic .

But you will still see beautiful dogs . You will still hearthe ( relocated ) voices of legion David Frei and John O’Hurley . And you ’ll still think the justice picked the correct dog for Best in Show — like Thor thebulldogfrom last class ’s competition — or confound up your hands in frustration when they do n’t peck your favorite competition .

bulldog, Thor, received Best in Show at the National Dog Show 2019

Photo: Mark Makela / Getty

In fact , during a year when some of us might not get to see our families on Thanksgiving , the dog show is a bit of normalcy we might postulate more than we think .

Here ’s how to watch the 2020 National Dog Show from the comfort of your sofa ( sweatpants encouraged , but not require ) .

Where Can I Watch the National Dog Show?

No matter your prison term zona , the show will start out at noon on Thanksgiving ( Nov. 26 ) on NBC . ( It will follow the broadcast of the Macy ’s Thanksgiving Day Parade . )

If you burn the cord in favour of on-line cyclosis services , you’re able to also stream the broadcast onNBCSports.comand on the NBC Sports App start at noon Eastern time . you’re able to get at the app via smartphone , Roku , Apple TV , or an Amazon Fire TV Stick .

Is the National Dog Show Live?

Nope . The Philadelphia Kennel Club held the show on Nov. 14 and 15 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center . We ’ll all view it on time lag with turkey dinner in front of us , as always .

The show is also normally " benched , " think of the competing dogs have to stay in certain surface area when they ’re not competing , allowing onlookers to come see them up near . Not this year . The just about 600 firedog — down from the usual 2,000 — did not stick around the arena after they ’re done showing .

Are There Any New National Dog Show Breeds?

Yes indeed ! Three newdog breedswere added to the rivalry this twelvemonth , per NBC sportswoman : the barbet , the Belgian Laekenois , and thedogo Argentino . ( Those breeds will alsomake their debuts at Westminster this year . )

In all , 208 breeds are eligible to vie . The piss dog barbet will compete in the sporting chemical group ; the stiff Belgian Laekenois will be entered in the herding chemical group ; and the protective dogo Argentino will interest a spot in the workings group .

How Does a Dog Win Best in Show?

To the average witness ’s alarm , the dog that wins Best in Show is ( unhappily ) not which dog is gelded . If that was the case , my family’sstandard poodleRiley would be a 12 - time Best in Show success .

NBC Sports lays out the process for the pup who takes home the trophy : First , all the dogs of the same breed compete to see which dog good fits the stock ’s standards . Each " Best in Breed " winner motion on to the mathematical group level . There , each of the dogs in the seven groups — herding , hound , non - sporting , sporting , terrier , miniature , and working dogs — are again judged to see which pooch good agree their stock standards .

The group winners then compete in the final round for the good in Show championship .

Which Dog Won Best in Show Last Year?

The 2019 National Dog Show winner of Best in Show is the mighty Thor , an English bulldogwhose real name is GCHG Diamond Gold Majesu Pisko Bulls . His handler is Eduardo Paris of Houston , Texas .

The puppy was no stranger to lead home titles . His handler shared that Thor win " … because of his social organisation and because he be active so well . He has been exhibit since September 2018 and has won 27 specialties since he has been show . " Consider us impressed .

GALLERY : well in Show ! 18 days of National Dog Show winner

What We’re Most Excited to See This Year

No surprisal , the stave at Daily Paws is looking forrad to watch the National Dog Show . Here ’s what they ’re most emotional to see during the contest :

Haylee Bergeland , pet wellness and behavior editor : The fashion , of course . Specifically all the sports jacket with declamatory pockets and non - slip orthopedic shoes . Secondarily , theborzoisandIrish wolfhounds , but only because I care to watch short people hightail it with them .

Rachel Crocetti , SEO content strategist : The mop dogs are my personal favorite ( Komondor ) , but I ’m also always pump to see the tinyPomeranians . And if there ’s a puppy doing a naughty thing or showing a silly personality , they mechanically become my front - runner ! ( Young Rachel used to sit in front of the idiot box every Thanksgiving and write down the gens of every dog breed with a rating scurf . Spoiler qui vive : No blackguard received a high-risk military rating . )

Abbie Harrison , senior editor program : I’m activated to see all the different stock and see which breeds my delivery pup resembles the most . I ’ll be paying special tending to thehound groupbecause we ’re pretty trusted she ’s some type of cad .

April Saylor , deputy editor : My category take in the whole matter — it ’s always on while we ’re making Thanksgiving dinner . We each have our favorites and tend to settle for dogs based more on personality and the manner they interact with their manager than on breed standards . I always root for thehound groupbecause of my own two coonhounds , and even they tend to perk up when they see a particularly interesting whelp trot by on screen .

no matter of who takes home the title , in our book , they ’re all winner . And if you ’re looking for the perfect pup to add to your family , your localshelter or animal delivery organizationmay have just the dog you ’re looking for .