The country will find out which dog takes home the Best of Show trophy at the 2025 National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day, when the recorded portions of the show are broadcast on NBC from noon to 2 p.m. in all time zones.
However, those who venture to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County can find out Saturday, Nov. 15.
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia is holding dog shows at the Expo Center Saturday and Sunday, but the top dog Saturday, which will be announced around 6:30 p.m., is considered the National Dog Show winner.
Organizers say 1,994 dogs representing 201 breeds are scheduled to attend and you can meet them and their owners.
Breed judging begins at 8 a.m., with group judging at 1 p.m.
The National Dog Show sponsored by Purina is the only single-venue benched dog show to still be held in the U.S. By “benched” it means the dog owners must stay on-site all day so the public can meet the competitors and learn a little something about the breeds.
Perennial hosts David Frei and John O’Hurley, a “Seinfeld” alum, return for analysis and commentary.
New breed
The newest breed to be vying for the National Dog Show title is the Danish-Swedish Farmdog, which was officially recognized as a breed this year by the American Kennel Club. The breed was accepted into the AKC Stock Services program in 2011 and is now part of the Working Dog class.
Only around 14 inches at the shoulder, the dog is often described as a slightly larger and easier-to-train version of a Jack Russell terrier.
“Its origins go back to the 1700s where it could be found in Great Britain, Germany and France as well as Denmark and Sweden,” the Danish-Swedish Farmdog Club of America stated on its website. “Though often mistaken as a terrier, this breed is most closely related to the pinscher family.”
The AKC breed standard says a DSF’s temperament should be alert, friendly, attentive and lively.
Regional competitors
Below are just a few of the owners from the region whose canines will be entering the ring hoping to garner Best in Breed, Best in Group and Best in Show honors:
- From Berks County: Wendy Pflugler of Douglassville’s 3-year-old Brittany spaniel Pfinley; Thomas and Deborah Develin’s Rocky, a 2 1/2-year-old Otterhound from Boyertown; Kandy Boll of Laureldale’s Pembroke Welsh Corgi Lula, 2 1/2; and Darby a 14-month-old Rhodesian Ridgeback owned by Kristine Kitsch of Mohnton.
- From Bucks County: Cairn terrier Petie, 4, owned by Linda Reiff of Chalfont; Marz, an 18-month-old leonberger owned by Andrea Dadigan of Doylestown.
- From Montgomery County: Teri Rumer’s miniature bull terrier Cotey, 2, who lives in Lederach.
- From Northampton County: Karen Nelson of Pen Argyl’s Stevie, a 2 1/2-year-old German shepherd and Holly, a Greater Swiss mountain dog owned by Janie Hecker of Bethlehem.
- From Schuylkill County: Casey Gable’s dog Holly, from New Ringgold.
In addition to the dogs competing for Best in Show, the expo center will be packed with vendors offering a variety of canine goods and services.
There will be agility and performance dog demonstrations from 9 a.m. to noon.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
If you go
What: National Dog Show
When: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, 8 a.m. to at least 6 p.m. (Another show is held Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Where: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, 100 Station Ave., in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County.
Tickets: $20 for ages 12 and older, $10 for children ages 4 to 11 and free for children ages 3 and younger. No strollers are allowed in the dog show and personal dogs may not be brought into the show.
