What the National Dog Show is and when it runs

The National Dog Show is an annual dog show held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, run by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. The show takes place in November each year, typically the day after Thanksgiving, and is broadcast live on NBC. Dogs compete in breed categories and judging rounds to earn titles and recognition within their breed.

The show has been held since 1933, making it one of the longest-running sporting events in the United States. It is not the same as the Westminster Dog Show, which is held in New York and runs under different rules and a different organizing body. Both are major shows in the dog show world, but they operate separately.

The event takes place at a large indoor venue in the Philadelphia area. The exact location can change year to year, so checking the official Kennel Club of Philadelphia website before the show date will tell you the current venue and whether the show is open to spectators that year.

Key Takeaways

  • The National Dog Show happens every November in Philadelphia and is televised on NBC the day after Thanksgiving.
  • Dogs are judged against the breed standard for their type, not against each other in a single ranking.
  • Owners must register their dogs with the American Kennel Club (AKC) before they can enter the show.
  • The show is organized by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, a separate organization from the AKC, though AKC rules govern how dogs are judged.
  • Spectator attendance is sometimes open to the public, but policies vary by year and you should confirm before traveling.

How dogs are entered and what breeds compete

To enter a dog in the National Dog Show, the dog must be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). The owner or handler submits an entry form to the Kennel Club of Philadelphia during the entry period, which typically opens several months before the show. The entry period has a important date, and entries received after that date are not accepted.

Dogs compete in one of seven groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Within each group, there are individual breed categories. A dog only competes against other dogs of the same breed in the first rounds of judging. Winners of each breed then advance to compete at the group level, and group winners advance to the final round for Best in Show.

Not every breed recognized by the AKC competes at every show. The breeds that appear depend on which owners have entered dogs that year. Some breeds may have many entries; others may have only one or two dogs present.

How judging works and what judges look for

Judges at the National Dog Show evaluate each dog against the breed standard — a written description of what the ideal dog of that breed should look like and how it should move and behave. The standard covers things like size, coat color and texture, ear shape, tail carriage, gait, and temperament. Judges do not rank dogs on a numerical scale; instead, they choose which dog in the ring most closely matches the breed standard.

A judge will examine each dog in the ring, looking at its structure and proportions. The handler then moves the dog around the ring so the judge can see how it moves. The judge may ask the handler to stack the dog (stand it in a specific position) or move it in a particular pattern. Based on this examination, the judge selects one dog as the winner of that breed class.

Judging is subjective because different judges may interpret the breed standard slightly differently. A dog that wins under one judge may not win under another. This is why serious show dogs often compete at many shows over time — a win at one show does not may provide a win at another.

The path from breed winner to Best in Show

The National Dog Show uses a group system for advancement. After all breed judging is complete, the winner of each breed within a group competes against the other breed winners in that group. A judge selects one dog as the group winner. This happens for all seven groups on the same day.

The seven group winners then compete in the final round for Best in Show, which is the highest award of the day. A single judge evaluates all seven group winners and selects one as the overall winner. This final judging is what is typically shown on the NBC broadcast in the evening.

A dog that wins Best in Show has been judged as the dog that best represents its breed standard among all the dogs present that day. It is a significant achievement in the dog show world, but it does not mean that dog is objectively "the best dog" — it means that particular judge believed it most closely matched its breed standard on that particular day.

Titles and points dogs can earn

Dogs do not earn points toward a championship title straightforward by winning at the National Dog Show. The AKC championship system works differently. Dogs earn points by winning at AKC-sanctioned shows throughout the year, and the number of points awarded depends on how many dogs of that breed were entered in that show. A win at a large show with many entries is worth more points than a win at a small show.

To earn an AKC Champion title, a dog must accumulate 15 points from at least three different judges, with at least two major wins (wins worth 3 or more points each). A win at the National Dog Show, if it is a major win for that breed, counts toward this total. However, the National Dog Show is just one show among many that a dog might enter during a year.

Dogs that have already earned a Champion title can compete for higher titles like Grand Champion, which requires additional points and wins. The National Dog Show is prestigious because it is televised and well-known, so a win there carries recognition value, but the points system itself is the same as at any other AKC show.

Watching the show in person or on television

The National Dog Show is broadcast live on NBC on the day after Thanksgiving, typically in the evening. The broadcast shows the group judging and the final Best in Show judging, but does not show all the breed judging that happens earlier in the day. If you want to watch the entire show from start to finish, you would need to attend in person.

Spectator attendance at the National Dog Show is sometimes open to the public, but this varies by year. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia sets the policy each year based on venue capacity and other factors. If you want to attend in person, check the official Kennel Club of Philadelphia website for the current year to see whether tickets are being sold and how to purchase them.

The NBC broadcast is free to watch if you have access to the network. It is also sometimes available through NBC's streaming service or on-demand platforms, though availability depends on your location and subscription status.

How the National Dog Show differs from other major shows

The National Dog Show and the Westminster Dog Show are the two most well-known dog shows in the United States, but they are run by different organizations and have different histories. Westminster is held in New York and is organized by the Westminster Kennel Club, which was founded in 1877. The National Dog Show is organized by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and was founded in 1933.

Both shows use the AKC breed standards and the group system for judging. Both are televised. The main differences are the location, the date, the specific judges who work each year, and the number of dogs that typically enter. Because different judges may interpret breed standards differently, a dog might win at one show and not place at another.

There are also many other AKC-sanctioned shows held throughout the year in different cities. These shows operate under the same rules and point system as the National Dog Show and Westminster, but they receive less media attention. Serious show dogs often compete at multiple shows per year to accumulate points toward championship titles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enter my dog in the National Dog Show?

Your dog must be registered with the American Kennel Club and you must submit an entry form during the entry period, which typically opens several months before the show. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia website lists the entry important date each year. Entries are not accepted after the important date.

What does it mean if my dog's breed is not shown at the National Dog Show?

Not every AKC-recognized breed competes at every show. Breeds are shown only if owners have entered dogs of that breed. If your breed is not shown one year, you can enter at a different AKC show, or wait to see if your breed appears the following year at the National Dog Show.

Is winning at the National Dog Show the same as winning a championship?

No. Winning at the National Dog Show counts toward a championship title through the AKC point system, but a single win does not make a dog a champion. A dog must accumulate 15 points from at least three different judges, with at least two major wins, to earn the Champion title.

Why did my dog lose to a dog that looks similar?

Judges evaluate dogs against the breed standard, and different judges may interpret that standard slightly differently. One judge might prefer a certain ear shape or gait that another judge weights less heavily. This is why the same dog might win under one judge and not place under another.

Can I watch the breed judging, or only the group finals?

The NBC broadcast shows only the group judging and Best in Show. If you want to watch breed judging, you must attend in person. Check the Kennel Club of Philadelphia website to see whether spectator tickets are being sold for the current year.