Here’s your tradition, dog lovers of America!  For us, it’s officially Christmas on Thanksgiving Day when Santa makes his appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade.  While we prepare to celebrate with our families for lunch, there is one show I love to record and watch at the end of the evening ~ while we’re stuffed and say “no more turkey!!”  Why it’s the National Dog Show, of course!

Holiday TV Special, Hosted by John O’Hurley & David Frei, Celebrates 10th Anniversary as Dogdom’s Most Visible Showcase

The NBC Thanksgiving Day special, “The National Dog Show Presented by Purina,” will crown one of America’s great purebreds as its 2011 champion on Thanksgiving Day while celebrating 10 years of bringing canine competition and entertainment into America’s living rooms.

The holiday special (noon -  2 p.m. in all time zones) follows the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC and is watched annually by a total of almost 20 million viewers. Over 170 breeds vie for “Best in Show” honors in the tradition-rich Kennel Club of Philadelphia competition.

Happy Holidays! Arf!!

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 and America’s foremost authority on the sport.

Unlike traditional dog show coverage, the two-hour special’s unique content is facilitated by the open format of the event, one of only five remaining “benched” shows in which the dogs are on display all day for the visiting public.

I'm ready to eat!

The show will spotlight several new AKC-recognized breeds, all of which will be making their major-event and national television debuts.  The Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Xoloitzcuintli, American English Coonhound and Cesky Terrier will be introduced to the American television audience as part of the family entertainment special airing on 200-plus NBC affiliates across the country.

Prominent TV personality Mary Carillo serves as the sideline interviewer for the broadcast and she will provide additional reporting at www.NationalDogShow.com, where judging of all the breed winners plus features and vignettes about the show can be found.

And while our family won’t have any of our collective pooches on TV, to us ~  they’re our furry babies, constant companions and unconditional friends.   And while we’re gathered ’round our table to give praise and thanks ~ let’s not forget these fuzzballs ~ no matter how big ~ or little ~ they are.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays!