National Dog Show 2014: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Top Breeds and More

There may not be a place at the table for man's best friend on Thanksgiving, but there is a place on the television set.

The 2014 National Dog Show, presented by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, will air on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day.

This unique event showcases some of the prettiest and healthiest pooches in the nation, gleefully serving our (warranted) infatuation with our four-legged friends. Indeed, over 2,000 dogs from 150 different breeds and varieties will be showcased, according to the event's official website.

The 2014 National Dog Show took place on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16. It doesn't have the live buzz football brings, but at least you know Fido is home and begging for scraps under the dinner table.

However, there is little reason to fear spoiler alerts for this event. Thursday is the day most of the event's information is finally released to the public. If you've had your fill of football and instead want to see some of the finest canines this country has to offer, the 2014 National Dog Show has you covered.

Here is a rundown of the television schedule for the show and key facts, followed by a brief preview of the event and some of the top breeds to watch.

2014 National Dog Show Viewing Info

Broadcast Date: Nov. 27, aka Thanksgiving (U.S.)

Broadcast Time: 12 p.m. (all time zones)

Location: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, Oaks, Pennsylvania

TV: NBC

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (12 p.m. ET for live stream)

Preview and Top Breeds

The 2014 National Dog Show knows it's going up against some fierce competition for eyeballs on Thanksgiving, but that hasn't tempered the excitement:

With so many different breeds of all shapes, sizes and visages, one might think it impossible to objectively judge so many dogs in such a large competition. Fortunately, the National Dog Show breaks it all down into manageable groups.

Each breed in the competition is sanctioned by the American Kennel Club and sorted into one of seven groups for judging.

Group	No. of Breeds
Terrier Group	32
Toy Group	24
Working Group	30
Sporting Group	32
Hound Group	28
Non-Sporting Group	18
Herding Group	22

Although the non-sporting group sounds like an apt description for all the well-fed folks at home lounging on the sofa and watching the event, it's actually a group with breeds as diverse as the dalmatian and the bichon frise, per AKC.org.

The literal top dogs in these seven groups then compete for best in show, the most prestigious prize in the competition. It's all about the red, white and blue ribbon.

What are they being judged on? Their proximity to perfection, of course. From the event's official website:

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The dogs are "benched" during the day in order to allow you, the public, to view and visit with 175 AKC recognized breeds and varieties that may be competing. There are only six benched shows held annually in the United States.

The judges examine the dogs and place them according to how closely each dog compares with the judge's mental image of the perfect dog as described in the breed's official standard. The main consideration is the dog's conformation or overall appearance, temperament and structure. The judges are looking for characteristics that allow the dog to perform the function for which his or her breed was bred.

"

The National Dog Show's Twitter account hyped the big reveal for 2014 on Wednesday:

In 2013, a gorgeous three-year-old female American foxhound named Jewel came closest to the Platonic ideal of a hound and subsequently took home best in show. Rider, a Norfolk terrier, was named the reserve for that award. Naturally, they emerged victorious from the hound group and the terrier group, respectively.

As if the dazzling diversity on display in previous years wasn't enough, two new breeds will be featured at this year's show.

According to the event's official website, they are the coton de tulear—a short, shaggy breed hailing from Madagascar and competing in the non-sporting group—and the wirehaired vizsla—a muscular medium-sized hunting dog in the sporting group.

John O'Hurley, the host of the event, believes the coton de tulear is a breed worth watching and perhaps taking home someday. 

"I have fallen in love with this breed," he said, via People.com's Kelli Bender. "If there is a perfect family dog, this is it. They don't shed. They are, I would say, absolutely low-maintenance." 

Looking for a front-running breed to keep an eye on? Here's one type of dog that always seems to place well at the competition:

The National Dog Show draws plenty of attention, perhaps due to the fact that it often feels like a nice break from the regular sports and/or holiday programming.

The Chicago Tribune's Steve Dale laid out just how big the holiday audience is for this event: "Viewership that first year hit nearly 19 million. Last year, hosts David Frei and John O'Hurley entertained an all-time high 22 million viewers—more than watched each of the first six games of this year's World Series, and about equal the number who tuned in for game No. 7."

The ratings don't lie. The National Dog Show is catching up with the likes of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in terms of popularity and prestige. The sheer number of dogs on display, the pageantry and the undeniable beauty of these creatures is a sure winner.

Thanksgiving might be more synonymous with football, but there is a challenger in the National Dog Show when it comes to capturing the hearts and minds of Americans on one of the country's biggest holidays.