The 2017 National Dog Show to Air on Thanksgiving at Noon in All Markets

Dan Criscenti November 22, 2017, 7:00 pm

The National Dog Show Presented by Purina - 2017 — Bill McCay/NBC

(L-R): David Frei; greyhound Cullen, son of 2016 Best In Show Gia; John O'Hurley

While many people plan their Thanksgiving television viewing around parades and football, dog lovers are opting for the biggest televised competition of the year: The National Dog Show.

Marking its 16th consecutive airing on NBC, the annual competition airs at noon in all markets and directly follows the network’s broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Last year’s winner was “Gia” a four year-old female Greyhound.

The National Dog Show, John O'Hurley, Meghan Kelly

John O’Hurley, host of The National Dog Show, on set for Megyn Kelly’s NBC show.

“Gia fits the Greyhound standard perfectly and also gives that extra showmanship,” offered Best In Show judge James G. Reynolds of Ottawa, Canada, last year. “She has a head like a snake and can really gallop. A lot of Greyhounds don’t have that showmanship.”

The event was held last weekend at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, but you’ll need to tune-in to see which dog, in one of the seven judged groups — terrier, toy, working, sporting, hound, non-sporting, and herding — is named Best in Show for 2017.

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Veteran actor John O’Hurley returns as the program’s host, with expert analysis offered by David Frei, an American Kennel Club-licensed judge.

For pet owners who can’t praise their pups enough, The National Dog Show sponsor, Purina, has created a #DogThanking initiative that will raise money for hurricane relief.

Pet owners are encouraged to use Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to share what makes their pet the best by using the hashtag #DogThanking and tagging @Purina. For every unique post submitted between Nov. 16-26 that includes #DogThanking and @Purina, Purina will donate $1 (up to $50,000) to GreaterGood.org, an organization which helps provide relief for people and pets in areas affected by hurricanes and natural disaster, including Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. Talk show host Andy Cohen and his beagle fox-hound mix, Wacha, are helping to kick off the #DogThanking initiative.

The National Dog Show was created by The Kennel Club of Philadelphia and has been ongoing since 1879, except for an interruption during The Great Depression from 1928 through 1932.