Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Catholic
Religious Music & Entertainment
‘National Dog Show’: John O’Hurley Sits at the Doggo Table on Thanksgiving

‘National Dog Show’: John O’Hurley Sits at the Doggo Table on Thanksgiving

Last updated on: November 25, 2019 at 9:54 pm by Kate O'Hare

‘National Dog Show’: John O’Hurley Sits at the Doggo Table on Thanksgiving 2019-11-25T21:54:15-08:00 Kate O'Hare

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

L-RL David Frei, Havanese, John O’Hurley — (Photo by: Bill McCay/NBC)

If dog owners get tired of watching their canine pals beg for tidbits from the Thanksgiving table, there’s always the high-end purebreds on display at The National Dog Show Presented by Purina.

Since 2002, the annual event from the Kennel Club of Philadelphia has become a holiday staple, sliding in from noon-2 p.m. (ET/PT), right after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Returning as hosts are canine expert David Frei and TV and stage star John O’Hurley (who also team as hosts and producers for the Easter broadcast of the Beverly Hills Dog Show).

I caught up by email with O’Hurley, as he was watching a Boston Celtics game in a New York City pub, and he shot back some answers with his iPhone (questions in bold)

Any new breeds this year?

The Azawakh, an African sight hound … looks like a Greyhound swallowed an American Foxhound … without the calories.

Which are the top dogs we should be looking at this year?

The Havanese is the top all-breed dog in the country … it will have to figure in, I’m sure.

What should a prospective purebred-dog owner be watching for during the show?

Look for a dog that matches your lifestyle — grooming, exercise and temperament. A dog is a lifetime commitment, not a trial by error. Shelters are filled by temporary owners … do your homework.

What are the top five things you’re grateful for, from the dogs that have been in your life?

They heal me.

They make me aware of the present moment.

They are free to express their love.

They are unaware of how large or small they are.

They regard sickness and health with the same value.

Any dog-related holiday stories to share?

My Maltese jumped on the Thanksgiving Day table and ate an entire stick of butter while we were watching football … that’s why we say, “Dogs until 2…!”

So, what does that last one mean? From Pet Life Radio:

In conjunction with this annual celebration of dogdom, Pet Life Radio and The National Dog Show are conducting a meme contest based on the theme of “Dogs until 2.” The National Dog Show airs from noon-2 p.m. in all time zones following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. So, “On Thanksgiving Day, It’s Dogs Until 2.”

If you’re still wondering what an Azawakh is, here’s some of what the AKC has to say:

THE NATIONAL DOG SHOW PRESENTED BY PURINA — Pictured: Azawakh — (Photo by: Simon Bruty/Carson International Inc.)

Tall and elegant, the Azawakh is a West African sighthound who originates from the countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The Azawakh has a short, fine coat which may come in any color or color combinations: red, clear sand to fawn, brindled, parti-color (which may be predominantly white), blue, black and brown. The head may have a black mask and there may be white markings on the legs, bib and at the tip of tail. There are no color or marking disqualifications in the breed. Befitting its heritage, the Azawakh excels as a companion, guardian and a lure courser in the United States.

The Azawakh’s inclusion brings the total number of AKC-recognized breeds and varieties to 193.

If you want the fun to continue past 2 p.m., NBC announces:

Continuing the family fun, NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) will present a Thanksgiving Day marathon (beginning 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT) of The National Dog Show Presented by Purina®, featuring all five Best in Show winners from 2014-18. On Friday, Nov. 29, NBC will present a primetime encore of this year’s National Dog Show Presented by Purina® (8-10 p.m. ET/PT).

And so your own pooch doesn’t feel left out:

This year pet lovers are encouraged to share a photo or video of their pet for a chance to be featured during the airing of The National Dog Show Presented by Purina on NBC or NBC.com. Fans can use the hashtag #DogThanking and tag @Purina in a post on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram that highlights their pet’s courageous and honor-worthy role in the family.

Here’s a chat with David Frei about last year’s show:

Images: NBC

Don’t miss a thing: Subscribe to all that I write at Authory.com/KateOHare

About Kate O'Hare

Based in Los Angeles, Kate O'Hare is a recovering entertainment journalist, social-media manager for Catholic production company Family Theater Productions and a screenwriter. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

November 20, 2019

'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood': Why It Took 10 Years (and Tom Hanks) to Get the Mr. Rogers Movie Made

Next Post

November 26, 2019 Netflix's 'The Two Popes': Director Fernando Meirelles Is 'Not So Agnostic' Anymore

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category books breaking news digital media Faith practice food interview jane the virgin media movies music NFL Pope Francis Showbiz 101 social media sports technology television Uncategorized video

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz