AKC Conformation
The National Dog Show
November 12–15, 2026 — four all-breed days at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, Pennsylvania. The National Dog Show tapes Saturday, November 14.
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Documents 📄 Premium List 📋 Judging Program — Thu Nov 12, Penn Treaty 📋 Judging Program — Fri Nov 13, Greater Philadelphia DFA 📋 Judging Program — Sat Nov 14, Kennel Club of Philadelphia 📋 Judging Program — Sun Nov 15, Kennel Club of Philadelphia
Weekend at a glance
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show — Saturday & Sunday, November 14–15, 2026, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. Saturday’s show is taped for the NBC Thanksgiving Day special. Entries close Wednesday, October 28 at noon.
The full guide article
National Dog Show 2026: Everything You Need to Know — dates, tickets, entries, the NBC Thanksgiving broadcast, judges, and travel, in one shareable page.
- TV broadcast
- NBC Thanksgiving Day special, expected Thursday, November 26, noon–2 p.m. ET/PT. Pending
- Entries
- Registration closed October 28, 2026
- Entry fees
- $40 first entry / $24 each additional entry (same dog) / Junior Showmanship no fee / Sweepstakes $20. Listing reviewed
- Benched show
- No separate grooming areas — all grooming is done at the benching area. Grooming tables over 24″ × 36″ not permitted. Listing reviewed
- Entry limit
- Limited to 2,500 dogs each day. Listing reviewed
- RV / overnight parking
- $30/night or $100 for the cluster (advance sale); $40/night without advance reservation. No water or electric hookups. Listing reviewed
More about this show
Judging programs published for all four days · Dates & clubs checked against AKC event records
Superintendent: MB-F Shows, (336) 379-9352
The days
Four days of All-Breed shows at the same venue — the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA:
| Day | Show |
|---|---|
| Thursday, Nov 12 | Penn Treaty Kennel Club (AKC #2026153803) |
| Friday, Nov 13 | Greater Philadelphia Dog Fanciers’ Association (AKC #2026104501), plus Delaware Valley Toy Dog Fanciers Association limited-breed (AKC #2026513002) |
| Saturday, Nov 14 | National Dog Show presented by Purina (taped for the NBC special) |
| Sunday, Nov 15 | The Kennel Club of Philadelphia Dog Show |
Build your day plan
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Judging programs published — all four days
MB-F has published the official judging programs for Thursday, Nov 12 (Penn Treaty Kennel Club) and Friday, Nov 13 (Greater Philadelphia Dog Fanciers Association). Ring times are in the programs linked above, including the Saturday–Sunday, Nov 14–15 (Kennel Club of Philadelphia / National Dog Show) programs.
Breed judge finder
Search any breed to see which judge has it on Saturday and Sunday. Panels are from the official 2026 premium list. Listing reviewed
(p) = provisional/permit, per the premium.
Best in Show & Group judges — from the 2026 premium
Saturday, November 14 — National Dog Show (taped for NBC)Best in Show & group judges
- Best in Show — Mrs. Lorraine W. Bisso
- Sporting Group — Mrs. Sioux Forsyth-Green*
- Hound Group — Mr. Michael Canalizo
- Working Group — Mr. Walter J. Sommerfelt
- Terrier Group — Mrs. Rosalind Kramer
- Toy Group — Mr. Desmond J. Murphy
- Non-Sporting Group — Mr. Allen L. Odom
- Herding Group — Ms. Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine
Sunday, November 15 — Kennel Club of Philadelphia Dog ShowBest in Show & group judges
- Best in Show — Ms. Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine
- Sporting Group — Mrs. Carol C. Sommerfelt
- Hound Group — Mr. Allen L. Odom
- Working Group — Mrs. Sioux Forsyth-Green
- Terrier Group — Mr. Desmond J. Murphy
- Toy Group — Mr. Michael Canalizo
- Non-Sporting Group — Ms. Janet Cohen
- Herding Group — Mrs. Sheree Moses Combs
*Provisional/permit judge. Breed-by-breed assignments are in the premium; the full breed panel will be added here. Listing reviewed
Juniors
Junior Showmanship details for this weekend are not yet verified. Pending
Specialties & supported entries
Eleven listed by AKC specialty events run alongside the all-breed shows in Oaks, PA this weekend. Entries close October 28, 2026.
Saturday, November 14
| Breed | Club | Type | AKC event # | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Terrier | Tri-Angle Boston Terrier Breeders Club | Designated specialty | 2026218102 | Event Approved |
| Dachshund | Dachshund Fanciers Association of Berks County | Designated specialty — with sweepstakes | 2026007212 | Event Approved |
| American Foxhound | American Foxhound Club, Inc | Designated specialty | 2026213705 | Event Approved |
| Siberian Husky | Siberian Husky Club of Delaware Valley, Inc. | Designated specialty | 2026007902 | Event Approved |
| Chinook | Chinook Club of America | Designated specialty | 2026689103 | Event Approved |
| Chesapeake Bay Retriever | American Chesapeake Club | Sweepstakes only | 2026152618 | Event Approved |
| Borzoi | Borzoi Club of Central New Jersey | Designated specialty | 2026404303 | Event Pended |
Sunday, November 15
| Breed | Club | Type | AKC event # | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siberian Husky | Siberian Husky Club of Delaware Valley, Inc. | Designated specialty — with sweepstakes | 2026007903 | Event Approved |
| Boston Terrier | Tri-Angle Boston Terrier Breeders Club | Designated specialty | 2026218103 | Event Approved |
| Dachshund | Metropolitan Baltimore Dachshund Club | Designated specialty — with sweepstakes (designated specialty entry $40) | 2026075607 | Event Approved |
| Borzoi | Borzoi Club of Central New Jersey | Designated specialty — with sweepstakes | 2026404304 | Event Approved |
Designated specialties are judged within the all-breed show. Dates, clubs, event numbers, and statuses per AKC Event Search, checked day by day on September 24, 2026. Verify entries with the superintendent, MB-F Shows.
Plan your visit
Attend in person
Tickets are on sale now, and the venue offers 5,000 free parking spaces. Listing reviewed
Benched show — what that means
Each day is a benched show: entered dogs stay on assigned benches in the benching area during show hours (Saturday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM–3:00 PM) instead of leaving after judging. Dogs must arrive by 11:00 AM and may not leave the building once entered each day. For spectators, it’s the best part — you can walk the benches, meet the dogs up close, and talk breeds with owners and handlers all day. It’s reported to be the only single-venue benched dog show in America.
- Hours
- Saturday, November 14 — 8:00 AM–6:00 PM (Best in Show judging is likely to start later than 6:00 PM); Sunday, November 15 — 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Admission
- Adults (ages 12+) $20; children (ages 4–11) $10; children ages 3 and under free
- Parking
- 5,000 free parking spaces at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
- Prize money
- $30,000 in prize money is awarded at Saturday’s National Dog Show Presented by Purina
- RV parking
- Available — see the official site’s entrant info page
Coming for the finale?
Best in Show judging on Saturday is likely to start later than the 6:00 PM public-hours close — plan your arrival accordingly if you’re coming for the televised finale.
Getting there
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center is at 100 Station Ave, Oaks, PA 19456. The nearest major airport is Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). The club and the venue do not publish official airport drive times — check your route when planning. Listing reviewed
Lodging
Three pet-friendly host hotels, all with special Kennel Club of Philadelphia rates — mention the club when booking: Homewood Suites by Hilton, 681 Shannondell Blvd., Audubon, PA (610) 539-7300; Hampton Inn & Suites, 100 Cresson Blvd., Phoenixville, PA (610) 676-0900; TRU by Hilton, 825 Forge Ave., Audubon, PA (484) 231-8722. Listing reviewed
Watch on TV
The National Dog Show has been an NBC Thanksgiving Day tradition since 2002, airing after the Macy’s Parade.
2025 aired Thursday, November 27, 2025, noon–2 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, simulcast on Peacock.
2026 broadcast — expected, awaiting confirmation
NBC has not yet announced its 2026 holiday schedule. Expected pattern: Thursday, November 26, 2026, noon–2 p.m. ET/PT. Club-sourced local coverage (WMMR, August 2026) reports the broadcast airs Thanksgiving Day noon–2 p.m. on NBC following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Pending
A Thanksgiving tradition
The National Dog Show is older than its television slot: it began in 1879 as the Kennel Club of Philadelphia Dog Show and has been held annually since 1933. Listing reviewed
The Thanksgiving broadcast began in 2002. NBC Sports programming chief Jon Miller had watched Christopher Guest’s 2000 mockumentary Best in Show, persuaded Purina to sponsor the event, and convinced the Philadelphia club to rename it the “National Dog Show” for the air. The one-year experiment — filling the window between the Macy’s Parade and afternoon football, where NBC had been running It’s a Wonderful Life reruns — drew ratings high enough to make it a permanent holiday fixture. Seinfeld actor John O’Hurley and presenter David Frei have hosted the telecast since the run began.
2025 results — previous year, for reference
The 2025 National Dog Show was held November 15–16, 2025. Best in Show: Soleil, a Belgian Sheepdog (6-year-old bitch), handled by Daniel Martin. Reserve Best in Show: George, an American Foxhound. Group winners: Sporting — Tyler (English Setter); Hound — George (American Foxhound); Working — Dino (Giant Schnauzer); Terrier — Baby Joe (Miniature Schnauzer); Toy — Comet (Shih Tzu); Non-Sporting — Neal (Bichon Frise); Herding — Soleil (Belgian Sheepdog). These are 2025 results, for reference only; no 2025 judge panel is carried forward. Listing reviewed
Good to know about this show
Practical details from the premium list — photographers, health clinics, parking, and more.
Want to save this weekend?
Keep track of this show, get closing reminders, and plan your ring schedule.
Save to my free accountHow do I reserve RV parking at the National Dog Show?
RV parking from $30.00 per night, $100.00, $40.00 per night. Regulations Show grounds will be available 12:00 NOON, Wednesday nOTICE Overnight parking is a privilege extended by the club(s) to its exhibitors. Failure to follow the instructions of officials on duty will result in forfeiture of parking privileges without refund of fees paid and the possibility
Are there special competitions at the National Dog Show?
Brace Competition — saTURDAY & SUNDAY - SIBERIAN HUSKIES.
Veteran Classes — SATURDAY - CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVERS.
Stud Dog / Brood Bitch — saTURDAY & SUNDAY - SIBERIAN HUSKIES.
Are there family dog activities at the National Dog Show?
AKC Community Canine (CGCA).
Is Junior Showmanship offered at the National Dog Show?
Junior Showmanship is offered.
Sources
- 2026 premium list (PDF)— The Kennel Club of Philadelphia, November 14–15, 2026 Listing reviewed
- The National Dog Show— official site (show dates, venue, superintendent, judging programs published for all four days)
- Entrant Info— official (four-day cluster clubs, superintendent phone 336-379-9352, $30,000 prize money, RV parking)
- Greater Philadelphia Expo Center— official venue site (address, 5,000 free parking spaces)
- NBC Insider: 2025 National Dog Show — how to watch and stream— 2025 broadcast details
- Kennel Club of Philadelphia press release via the Dog Writers Association of America
- 93.3 WMMR: National Dog Show to mark 25th anniversary in November(Aug 4, 2026) — ticket prices, free parking, Thanksgiving Day noon–2 p.m. NBC broadcast per Kennel Club of Philadelphia
- NPR: The National Dog Show explained — how a dog contest became a Thanksgiving tradition(Nov 27, 2024) — 1879 origins, annual since 1933, the 2002 NBC launch, hosts O’Hurley and Frei
Reference: 2025 AKC event numbers 2025037501/2025037502.