When it comes to Thanksgiving traditions, there’s nothing cuter — or more competitive — than the National Dog Show.
The annual event, presented by Purina, features representatives of dozens of different dog breeds strutting their stuff for the special that airs in between the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and football games. That’s a lot of very good boys and girls competing to be deemed Best in Show (all winners in our hearts), alongside their expert handlers.
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The show is hosted by actor John O’Hurley of Seinfeld and American Kennel Club-licensed judge David Frei.
NBC Sports Analyst and Olympic correspondent Mary Carillo provides backstage interviews that will offer plenty of pup content, making for a paws-itively perfect howl-iday afternoon.
The special, which is the most widely-viewed dog show in America, was taped at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center back on the weekend of November 15 and 16.
Keep reading to find out how to take it all in!
An agility demonstration at the 2025 National Dog Show presented by Purina.
How can I watch the 2025 National Dog Show?
The two-hour special airs on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025 from noon to 2 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and will be simulcast on Peacock.
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How does the National Dog Show work?
Contestants are presented in seven groups: Terrier, Toy, Working, Sporting, Hound, Non-Sporting, and Herding. A winner of each group is determined based on criteria specific to each group, and then one of the group winners will be named Best in Show. There is also a winner chosen for each breed.
Unique camera angles allow viewers to get up close and personal with the pups, with Steadicam lenses at dog height, and a robotic DynamiCam for a sky view, which was just introduced to the Dog Show last year.
Pumi gets assssed at the 2025 National Dog Show presented by Purina.
Who won the 2024 National Dog Show?
The 2024 Best in Show winner was Vito, a 2 1/2-year-old male pug from Chesapeake City, Maryland. Best in Show judge George Milutinovich remarked, “The pug is as near perfect as I have seen. He exemplifies everything a pug should be.”
Vito competed in the Toy group, and is handled by Michael Scott. You can see Vito and his fellow Toy competitors in action here, and you’ll wonder how anyone could have possibly chosen just one.