Mike Smith
Here’s everything you need to know about The National Dog Show 2025, including how to watch, who’s hosting, where it streams, and more.
How to watch The National Dog Show 2025 in Australia on NBC and Peacock
To watch The National Dog Show 2025 in Australia, install a reliable VPN and connect to a US server. Once your location changes, go to the Peacock website to stream the event anytime or sign in through NBC.com to watch the broadcast live.
- Subscribe to NordVPN
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a US-based server.
- Head over to the Peacock website to stream anytime, or watch live on NBC.com by logging in with your TV provider account.
- You are all set to watch the 2025 The National Dog Show!
The National Dog Show 2025 Synopsis
The National Dog Show 2025 is a live television special that showcases hundreds of purebred dogs competing for top honors in one of America’s most beloved Thanksgiving Day traditions. Broadcast from the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania, the event is staged by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and sanctioned by the American Kennel Club, meaning every dog in the ring is a registered purebred that must be judged against strict breed standards rather than against each other. Over the two-hour broadcast, viewers follow nearly 2,000 dogs representing more than 200 AKC-recognized breeds as they advance from Best of Breed, to First in Group across the sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, and herding groups, and finally to the coveted Best in Show award.
The show has roots dating back to the late 19th century and has been held annually since the 1930s, but it became a modern television institution in 2002 when NBC began airing it nationally after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, pulling in tens of millions of viewers each year. Across the broadcast, cameras move from the main ring action to backstage grooming areas where handlers prepare their dogs, while commentators explain what judges look for in movement, temperament, and structure. The special also highlights junior handlers, rare breeds, and new additions to the AKC roster, giving audiences a mix of high-level competition and warm, family-friendly storytelling about the bond between people and their dogs.
When Does The National Dog Show 2025 Premiere?
The National Dog Show 2025 airs on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. local time immediately following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC.
Who Is Hosting The National Dog Show 2025?
The National Dog Show 2025 is hosted by John O’Hurley and David Frei, a long-running broadcast duo who lead the competition coverage, interviews, and breed analysis. O’Hurley serves as the main presenter, while Frei provides expert commentary as a licensed American Kennel Club judge with decades of experience.
Dog Groups at The National Dog Show 2025
Every competing dog belongs to one of seven American Kennel Club groups, and each group produces one finalist for Best in Show.
| Group | Description |
|---|---|
| Sporting | Hunting and retrieving dogs bred to work with gamebirds |
| Hound | Scent and sight trackers known for speed or endurance |
| Working | Powerful breeds developed to guard, pull, or assist |
| Terrier | Energetic, ground-working dogs originally bred to hunt vermin |
| Toy | Small companion breeds valued for personality and charm |
| Non-Sporting | Distinctive breeds with varied traits outside other groups |
| Herding | Intelligent dogs bred to move and control livestock |
On What Devices Can You Watch Peacock?
You can stream Peacock on most modern smart devices:
| Device Category | Supported Devices |
|---|---|
| Smart TVs | Samsung, LG, Vizio, Hisense, and other major models with the Peacock app |
| Streaming players | Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV |
| Game consoles | Xbox Series, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 |
| Mobile devices | iPhone, iPad, and Android phones or tablets via the Peacock app |
| Computers | Windows and Mac browsers by visiting PeacockTV.com |
| Cable devices | TV boxes and connected services that offer the Peacock app |
Is The National Dog Show 2025 suitable for all ages?
Yes. The show is family-friendly and usually rated TV-PG, focusing on pets, handlers, and competition segments without any inappropriate content, making it safe for children and adults to watch together.
FAQs
Who produces and directs The National Dog Show 2025 for television?
The televised special is produced by NBC in partnership with the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and Purina, blending NBC’s live-event production team with the club’s dog show expertise. The same core NBC Sports production team that handles major live broadcasts manages camera coverage, pacing, and editing for the national telecast.
Where is The National Dog Show 2025 held and can the public attend?
The 2025 show takes place at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania, where the Kennel Club of Philadelphia hosts a large benched dog show weekend that includes the televised competition. Because it is a benched show, the public can typically purchase tickets, see the dogs up close, and speak to breeders and handlers during the event.
How does the competition format work from breed judging to Best in Show?
Dogs first compete within their own breed to determine the dog that best matches that breed’s written standard, and the winner is awarded Best of Breed. Those breed winners move on to one of seven AKC groups, where judges again evaluate how closely each dog fits its standard and crown a single First in Group winner. The seven group winners then return to the main ring in the final round, where one dog is selected as Best in Show.
What prize does the Best in Show winner receive and who won last year?
The dog named Best in Show at The National Dog Show receives the prestigious Best in Show ribbon along with a $2,000 cash prize. In 2024, a pug named Vito made history by becoming the first Pug ever to win the National Dog Show’s top title, beating nearly 2,000 dogs from more than 200 breeds and varieties to claim Best in Show.
The National Dog Show 2025 Preview
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