Question of the Week

Gay Kuehnel-Hisatake 

Trenton, NJ 

The National Dog Show, along with the Thanksgiving Day Parade is always a must for me. It is a time to relax and enjoy a nice family event that highlights the many positives that purebred dogs have to offer. The show gives the public a chance to see a large variety of breeds, and hopefully peaks an interest in having one as a family pet. Of course there are those who are critical because every breed in each of the groups is not given equal attention due to time factors, and this results in negative comments on social media. I see the show as part of an enjoyable day on one of my favorite holidays, and love promoting purebreds instead of "adopt don't shop." 

Deanna Rotkowski

Lagrange, OH

I look forward to watching the broadcast every year. I love how it is geared to the general public and it lets them in on our love affair with purebred dogs! Each year I get calls and texts from all my non dog show friends when they catch a glimpse of me on TV!  I also love seeing their FB posts about their favorite dogs and their "picks."  I love how excited they become about dog shows and purebred dogs! 

Richard Reynolds

Tenafly, NJ

I watched bits and pieces of the show in between kennel duties. This is not intended to be a show for us, the devoted (addicted) dog fancy. It is intended for public consumption and it presents purebred dogs and dog shows in the best possible light. Like Meet the Breeds it draws in spectators who would otherwise never come in contact with our passion. The two hour televised event was perfectly suited for its intended purpose, public awareness and entertainment. Don’t forget either, the sizeable contribution made by NBC for television rights. Much of that finds its way to dog related charities. Well done, NBC and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia!

Mary Merlo

Youngsville, NC

Of course, I watched the show!  I felt that it was very rushed.   I know they are crushed for time, but we saw hardly any Hounds but as the show progressed, more time was spent on the breeds.

Sometimes the same breeds get recognition  every year, as they are favorites of the announcers.  

I do enjoy Mary  Carillo’s features.

Judi Murdock

Perris, CA

For the very first time since you began airing the National Dog show on Thanksgiving Day, I missed it along with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Darlene Scheiris 

Kansas City, MO

Yes, we watched.  It would have been nice to actually see the group winners, if only for a second, rather than see them for the first group (placed 4th through 1st) then only see the Group 1s and barely hear the announcement for 2nd - 4th placements.  I know this show is mostly marketed towards the non-dog-show public, but there are still a lot of us dog-show people who watch when we cannot attend.  So we would rather see a minute or two less of the behind the scenes and more of the actual show. 

Leslie Simis

Temple City CA

Yes I did , and as always I was disappointed by the lack of coverage of the actual dogs competing…loved the segment on the Juniors and the quick identification of each breed, and of course kudos to the members of the KC of Philadelphia for such a beautiful show! With that being said, I do appreciate any and all positive coverage of our sport to the general public so they can enjoy our purebred dogs as much as we do. I do feel however that we seem to always miss the opportunity to provide correct information to the public about how important the benefits of a purebred dog really is. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for people adopting from a shelter as we love those dogs as well…but the opportunity to educate is often overlooked. Informing the public about why a particular breed exists, the importance of health testing , home raising, and the ability to see generations of healthy and happy dogs should be implemented in any coverage of dog shows. The adopt don’t shop agenda by activists has caused a lot of damage to preservation breeding programs, and we need to implement a new message to try and reverse these beliefs. As far as covering the dogs in the show, I understand that the time constraints don’t allow for this to happen. But how about they pick out one breed from each Group and show the public the nuances and purposes intended for that particular breed. Show them doing the job they were bred for…form and function…being a part of your family as well as possibly being a show dog? We don’t need cameras in the grooming areas watching dogs being prepared as that is one of the things I feel turns people off, as they think the dogs have no life other than being at a dog show. A POSITIVE message is what we seem to lack in promoting our purebred dogs to the public, and it is hurting our image and our ability to continue preserving the breeds we love immensely. 

Margaret P Kotin

Avon, CT  

Yes, I did watch.  Not very good at all.  Too little of the dogs;  too much lighthearted, nothing-style chatter, and back and forth between the commentators; too little really good dog information.  And, a lot of fluff pieces.

The comment regarding the Old English and which end was which was totally wrong.  The fact they said it was bad enough; the fact it was left into the final edited broadcast is offensive. It wasn't even funny.  I could not believe I actually heard it - I ran our recording back to make sure.  I will not watch again if it is broadcast in this manner - I will give it a chance again next year, but I will not stick with it if presented in the same way.  I also thought I heard a comment about some other type of dog biting, but I may be wrong about that. Come on, dogs and dog people deserve to be represented better than this.

I was turned off by the whole thing.

Deborah Barrett

Hoover, AL

It wasn't a dog show the way WE would like to see it but I appreciate

that there was a dog show on "at all."  WE are not their target audience.

John Goodwin 

Centennial, CO

Overall it is a great show for awareness of the sport and purebred dogs. It is beneficial to show all of the dogs in placement but this year unless you really watched you missed 2,3,4th in group placements. Post production seemed to rush this more than in the previous years. Bottom line, people like to see their breeds so showing more of all the breeds would yield more overall satisfaction.

Spectators would benefit more of seeing the full group move and naming them as they are moving rather than simply the drive-by stack.

Suzanne Orban-Stagle

Hurlock, MD

I settled in to watch it and it seemed that  I blinked and it was over!

All the people on screen really  did a fab job, but NBC could have given the show more time! How about three hours so people can really SEE the dogs, the groups and perhaps learn about the dog world, perhaps joining in!

Jennifer Wheeler 

Fresno CA

The NBC broadcast of the 2025 National Dog Show was very well done. I understand that all dogs in the groups cannot be featured due to time constraints. This may disappoint those of us in the fancy, but the broadcast really does a great service in presenting purebred dogs to the dog loving public. Purebred dogs, whelped and raised by reputable preservation breeders, need to be featured as often as possible. All show dogs are beloved pets.

Nicole Beal Gibson 

Jacksonville, FL

I absolutely loved the dog show and only wished there was enough time to see all the breeds. I watch it every year and it is my favorite part of Thanksgiving. The commentary was wonderful and hilarious at times. David Frei is always making me smile and laugh. Truly a great show.

Lynda Lamensdorf

Memphis, TN

Inane.

Polly Smith

St. Stephens Church, VA

Yes I watched the program. I felt it was well presented for the dog enthusiast in the general audience. I know many people who tell me it is a family tradition to watch. Very good publicity for purebred dogs.

Mary King

Burlingame, CA

This year the show seemed to have been filmed and edited to entertain young children.  It showed a minimum of competition among purebred dogs.  I watched as much as I could tolerate, which was not much.  Unless the format becomes balanced so that it appeals to people of all ages, I won’t tune in or recommend the show in coming years.  

Julianne McCoy

Columbia, SC 

I watched and was very pleased this year. The dog show showed all dogs being examined instead of cut up. The mood was better and not so commercialized. Great choice on the Best in Show winners. In the past appeared to be fixed and same breeds every year. Keep up the good work. Would like to see the individual breed judging televised in YouTube.

Rosemary Wheatley

Lawrence, MI

Yes, I watched the broadcast. I loved everything about it except that not every dog was shown on the screen for their exam and gaiting. I understand there is limited time, but really, the only reason I watch is to see the dogs and handlers show.

Maura Ptacek

Huntington, NY

OF COURSE...On two of our tvs....so no one (including the dogs) would miss the show!!!!!!!

Joy Bass

Palestine, TX

Yes, we tried to watch the NBC broadcast of the National Dog Show at noon on Thanksgiving Day.

We were very surprised and disappointed to find that NBC chose to supercede the scheduled broadcast with continued coverage of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, or should we more accurately describe it as coverage of a bunch of disgusting celebrity ‘entertainment’ which had nothing to do with the parade or the original purpose for having a Thanksgiving holiday to observe appreciation for the blessings that we enjoy in our country.

We would hope that AKC will rouse itself to protest this ‘slap in the face’. If not, then maybe Purina will have the fortitude to protest the messed up scheduling of its advertising dollars spent to support the broadcast.

Pam Mandeville

Somerset, NJ

Like the 25 million Americans who watch the show, I saw it in bits and pieces.  I'm still amazed that after a couple of decades, dog people haven't gotten past the idea the telecast is NOT for us, the fewer than 0.07% of US households who compete... it's for the general public who could care less about dog shows. It showed those people, beautiful, well-bred, purpose-bred dogs and their people with respect and warmth. 

Here's what I liked...There wasn't a single doodle or mixed breed in sight. It wasn't loaded with "adopt don't shop" or animal rights themes. I know it probably drove agility exhibitors wild but I loved the segment with the pro athlete (sorry, I don't know him) running the course with a couple of dogs. He was good natured, clearly loved the dogs and while not skilled, had a rapport with them. If one more person is drawn to trying it or training their dog, that's a win. While some of the segments were silly filler, some delivered a message. How much do you want to bet some kids are going to repeat the information about the reason dogs have different shaped ears? The dogs and their people are presented respectfully. Yes, it was inspired by "Best in Show" but to suggest that it's the same says you're living in a bubble.

Could it improve? Sure. But right now, in a country where the sport is dying, there's not one other thing that reaches as many people in as positive a way.

Anna Stromnberg

Brooksville, FL

I did partially in between kennel and cooking. 

I so appreciate the fact that our sport is broadcasted to mainstream America (albeit abbreviated which I know frustrates the fancy but the general public would never know) in an educating and exciting way by David and John with poignant interviews with winners by Mary. I also appreciated many of the winning handlers' comments. This is the one and only chance we have to show America the good things about our dogs and the sport on national TV. Westminster you have to find on a cable network and it’s late at night. This is thrown at you after THE parade. 

Laurie Telfair

Fayetteville, AR

Yes and I was disappointed. After twenty-something years, it seemed almost like David Frei and John O’Hurley just didn’t care anymore. The commentary often omitted most individual information on the dog, such as owners, breeders, handlers, hometowns and so forth. The presentations were rushed. This is my favorite televised dog show and one of my favorite shows. NBC could have done better.

Gale Cummings 

Norton, MA

Always love the televised National Dog Show at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia!

One comment I would make is to INCLUDE the Registered Name of the dogs. Breeders must be recognized for their breeding!  Not just a call name.

This is important for other breeders as well to connect with kennels.

Janet York

New York, NY

It seems each year there are fewer dogs shown in each group which makes it disappointing for those whose toy breeds they would like to see. You pretty much know who is winning when you see the small group emphasized in each group! Also  it seems more time was taken up with advertisements both within the groups and between the groups! I was glad that I was actually at the show to see all the competitors!

The short interviews between adverts was wonderful to see. It would have been nice to see more!

Daniel Mehling 

Mason, WI/New Orleans LA 

Yes, it’s always a disappointment, they fast forward through the breeds and some breeds aren't even mentioned. Would be nicer if they had it on AKCTV, instead. 

Julie L. Mueller

Tulsa, OK 

What's not to love?  National exposure for pure bred dogs, everyone looked super classy, showed the multi-facets of dog shows which should spark interest in the public, and the Best In Show judge displayed such excitement when picking his winners!  Now, don't you think someone watching is thinking to themselves, "Hey, this looks like a fun sport, maybe I could do this too!"

Kara M. Paul

Evansville, IN

Every year the showing of the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day seems to get worse.  Not enough of the dogs showing in the groups, short list, a brief view of all the dogs in each group and then it just seems rushed and only shows a few dogs being examined and showing the down and back.  Too much talking/chatting behind the scenes with commentators and that time could be spent on showing each breed in each group instead. The segments about learning were good.

Would also like to see the Juniors showing at the National Dog Show - after all they are the future of the sport, and kids watch the National Dog Show as well.  It could be shown like Westminster is - it is more about the dogs.

Sherry Rodarmor

San Antonio, TX

Yes, I watched it, but wish I could see more.  The BIS Belgian was gorgeous!!!!!

Melanie Coronetz

New York, NY

I enjoy the National Dog Show, but I am writing to ask you to correct misleading information about schipperkes.  Most live to 15, 16, and in some cases, 18. With 15 and 16 being most common, like most small dogs.  It is exceedingly rare to find any living to 20 or more. This misrepresentation of their life span is important to correct because people who don't know the breed might expect their schipperkes to live that long.