NBC will ring in the 21st year of celebrating human's best friend with the family-favorite holiday special "The National Dog Show Presented by Purina," airing Thanksgiving Day (12-2 p.m. in all time zones), November 24, following the telecast of NBC's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"The National Dog Show Presented by Purina" will be hosted by award-winning TV personality, author and Broadway star John O'Hurley ("Seinfeld," "Dancing with the Stars") and expert analyst and American Kennel Club-licensed judge David Frei, who is one of America's foremost authorities on the sport. NBC correspondent and sports broadcasting Hall of Famer Mary Carillo will report from backstage and inside the show ring.  

Three new American Kennel Club-sanctioned breeds will be introduced to a national audience in this year's competition, bringing the total recognized breeds and varieties eligible for competition to 212. Arriving for the event is the Russian Toy (Toy Group), the Bracco Italiano (Sporting Group) and the Mudi (Herding Group). Since the first "National Dog Show" broadcast in 2002, 51 new breeds have been introduced to the event.  

Claire, a Scottish Deerhound, took home the first back-to-back Best in Show titles last year, marking the first that has occurred in 20 years.

"The National Dog Show Presented by Purina" is a beloved holiday tradition for families across the nation. Across its 21-year run to date on NBC, the telecast has reached over 20 million total viewers each Thanksgiving Day.  

Day and Time
Thursday, November 24 at 12:00 p.m. in all time zones