The National Dog Show

Dogs will compete to become the 2012 Best in Show champion during this NBC Thanksgiving Day tradition.

Posted: Nov 20, 2012, 10 a.m. EST

Photo courtesy Betsy Dallas The holiday special - The National Dog Show - follows the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC and is watched annually by a total of almost 20 million viewers. Over 170 breeds will vie for “Best in Show” honors in the tradition-rich Kennel Club of Philadelphia competition. The show will air from 12 to 2 p.m. in all time zones with an encore presentation on NBC on Friday from 8 to 10 p.m. ET.

“Families now know to find the National Dog Show Presented by Purina on Thanksgiving Day at noon following the Macy’s Parade,” says Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “With the encore presentation Friday night, these great dogs get to show their stuff in primetime.”

The special is a celebration of America’s fascination with man’s best friend, hosted by John O’Hurley, the “Seinfeld” ensemble actor (catalogue king J. Peterman) and ultimate champion on ABC’s inaugural “Dancing With The Stars.” O’Hurley is joined by expert analyst David Frei, who is the voice of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on USA Network.

You can also get a close-up look at the dogs online at NBCSports.com and at NationalDogShow.com. The websites will feature the walks, examination and judging of all the breed-winning canines. The online video will include extensive highlights from the TV special and video from the 10 Best In Show winners who were crowned on Thanksgiving Day over the event’s first decade. The sites will also feature behind-the-scenes photos and video, capturing all of the backstage energy generated by 1,500-plus eager canines.

The show will spotlight two new AKC-recognized breeds, both of which will be making their major-event and national television debuts. The Russell Terrier and Treeing Walker Coonhound will be introduced to the American television audience as part of the family entertainment special airing on NBC affiliates across the country.