In addition to parades, food and football, another Thanksgiving Day tradition is the National Dog Show in Philadelphia.
For the 92nd consecutive year, breeds of all kinds are gathering to compete for the coveted title of Best in Show and the grand prize of $20,000 that comes with it. Before they can earn that title though, they must first compete with dogs of their own breed for Best in Breed.
Longtime hosts John O’Hurley and David Frei reprise their roles on NBC’s television coverage of the event from the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. (The competition is also available on NBC’s Peacock streaming service.)
Stream the National Dog Show with Peacock
What new breed joins the 2024 National Dog Show?
In 2023, there were 199 breeds represented at the Thanksgiving Day Dog Show. In 2024, a new breed will make its debut alongside 204 others.
The Lancashire Heeler, which has been recognized as an official breed in the United Kingdom since 1981, joined the AKC’s official list of dog breeds at the beginning of 2024, and the breed will make its National Dog Show debut this Thursday, as part of the Herding Group.
2024 National Dog Show results
The results of this year’s Best in Breed and overall Best in Show competitions, which will come from these seven groups:
Herding: Rupert (Berger Picard)
Working: Monty (Giant Schnauzer)
Toy: Vito (Pug)
Sporting: Houston (Clumber Spaniel)
Hound: The Zit (Ibizan Hound)
Terrier: Verde (Welsh Terrier)
Non-sporting: JJ (Lhasa Apso)
National Dog Show 2024 Best in Show champion
Vito the pug, the winner of the Toy Group, has been crowned Best in Show at the 2024 National Dog Show.
Handler Michael Scott called Vito ‘a very compact dog’ as he accepted the trophy.
Vito will begin his reign with an appearance Friday morning on NBC’s ‘Today’ show.
Past Best in Show winners at the National Dog Show
2024: Vito (Pug)
2023: Stache (Sealyham Terrier)
2022: Winston (French Bulldog)
2021: Claire (Scottish Deerhound)
2020: Claire (Scottish Deerhound)
2019: Thor (Bulldog)
2018: Whiskey (Whippet)
2017: Newton (Brussels Griffon)
2016: Gia (Greyhound)
2015: Charlie (Skye Terrier)
2014: Nathan (Bloodhound)