National Dog Show 2015: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Top Breeds and More

The National Dog Show has become an annual Thanksgiving Day tradition. The showcase, which is presented by Purina, brings together some of the top show dogs from around the United States to compete for one of the most coveted Best in Show titles.

The event is sanctioned by the American Kennel Club and held by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. Last year's winner was Nathan, a bloodhound. Only once since the show began in 2001 has a breed repeated as champion (Wire Fox Terrier in 2011-12).

Let's check out all of the important viewing details for this year's competition, which took place earlier this month. That's followed by a look at recent champions and a spoiler-free show preview.

Viewing Information

Date: Thursday, Nov. 26

Time: 12 p.m. (All Time Zones)

TV: NBC

Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra

Recent Top Breeds

Year	Champion	Breed
2014	Nathan	Bloodhound
2013	Jewel	American Foxhound
2012	Sky	Wire Fox Terrier
2011	Eira	Wire Fox Terrier
2010	Clooney	Irish Setter

Event Preview

As mentioned, the National Dog Show is one of the most sought-after championships in the United States, along with the Westminster Dog Show and the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Those three events make up the sport's U.S. Triple Crown.

This year's competition welcomes seven new breeds to the stage. Those additions are the Lagotto Romagnolo, Berger Picard, Miniature American Shepherd, Cirneco dell'Etna, Boerboel, Bergamasco and Spanish Water Dog, according to the show's official site.

Gary Puleo of the Times Herald noted host John O'Hurley believes the showcase is important for all breeds, including the new arrivals, to help spotlight what they provide:

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These dogs can be centuries and centuries old. It just means that someone is now embracing the breeding of the dog as it was by its history. The whole purpose of the show is to recognize the rich history of breeding and that dogs were not pets but functioning members of our survival. Every breed had a specific quality and that's what these shows do is to celebrate the history of the dogs and they keep the breed alive, along with the functions of the breed.

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Each breed is unique and can fill its role as man's best friend in special ways. The National Dog Show helps embrace those differences by showing off some terrific dogs.

Of course, among the most popular competitors are the pugs, as Purina highlighted:

The journey to Best in Show beings with judging against members of the same breed. The best example of each then advances to the group judging. There are seven groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding.

One winner is chosen from each of those groups to compete against each other in the final round for the Best in Show title.

All told, the National Dog Show is a budding holiday custom that's still growing alongside parades and football. It's a fun event, regardless of what breed comes out on top.