7 Fun Finds to Celebrate the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day

The National Dog Show, which airs on NBC following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, has become a Thanksgiving Day tradition. Hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and sanctioned by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the broadcast features up to 2,000 dogs from 202 breeds competing for the Best in Show title. Whether the turkey is still in the oven or you’re digesting your Thanksgiving feast, A-Z Animals has created a list of seven items that will enhance your holiday viewing of the National Dog Show.

Best in Show Book

Best In Show by David Elliott is a collection of poems accompanied by interesting facts about various dog breeds, featuring illustrations by eighteen award-winning artists. The 2024 picture book, published by HarperCollins (ISBN 978-0063321922), is a playful and affectionate tribute to the canine world. Through a series of short, lyrical poems, Elliott celebrates 18 dog breeds, highlighting each with whimsical verse and lively facts. The book serves as an engaging read-aloud and an inviting introduction to poetry and dog breeds. David Elliott’s Best In Show is available at a variety of online sites, including Thrift Books, starting at $5.39.

A Comprehensive Guide

The tome Best in Show: The World of Show Dogs and Dog Shows by Bo Bengtson is considered the definitive reference on dog shows. Bengtson covers the sport, from its origins in England to evolving breed standards. First published in 2008 by Kennel Club Books, the book spans over 650 pages and is illustrated with hundreds of photographs, both historic and modern, covering 150 years of dog show history. Bengtson offers an insider’s view of the circuit with candor and humor. Best in Show: The World of Show Dogs and Dog Shows is available at various online retailers, including AbeBooks, where used copies start at $21.14.

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes of Best in Show: Intimate Moments with the Masters: Handlers and Their Show Dogs by Kelly Lyn Marquis offers a behind-the-scenes look into the world of high-level dog show handlers. Marquis’ book explores the emotional bonds, training regimens, and unseen sacrifices required to reach the Best in Show ring. Its 296 pages contain interviews, anecdotes, and reflections from more than a dozen top handlers. Marquis’ book is sure to improve your understanding of the dog show circuit and increase your overall enjoyment of the National Dog Show. Behind the Scenes of Best in Show: Intimate Moments with the Masters: Handlers and Their Show Dogs is available from numerous online sites, including Barnes and Noble, $22.99.

Dog-Themed Buttons

Add a dash of fun to your viewing of the National Dog Show with this little bundle. This 20-pack of dog-themed buttons from Cute Button will elicit smiles and laughter, adding extra fun to your watch party. The twenty assorted dog-themed buttons are available in four sizes (1, 1.25, 1.5, or 1.75 inches) and three different types (pin-back, flat-back, hollow-back) or on magnets. The 20-pack, which contains the designs shown in the image above, is available from Cute Button, $13-$16.

Film

Best in Show, directed by Christopher Guest, is a mockumentary about the world of competitive dog shows. The film follows an eccentric cast of dog owners and handlers as they prepare for and compete in the prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. Best In Show highlights Guest’s improvisational style and features a talented ensemble cast, including Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Parker Posey, and Jennifer Coolidge. The film combines sharp wit and absurd humor with genuine warmth, offering a hilarious glimpse into the obsession with competition and perfection. Best In Show, which has a 90-minute run time, is available in a variety of formats on an array of sites, including Best Buy, where a standard DVD is $8.99.

God Loves a Terrier T-Shirt

God Loves a Terrier,  a folk song featured in the Christopher Guest film Best in Show, was written by Eugene Levy for the film and performed with Catherine O’Hara, in character as Gerry and Cookie Fleck, owners of a Norwich terrier named Winky. It’s a sweet little song that deserves a nod, and this t-shirt from The Compass Rose Merch is a dandy way to give the song the recognition it deserves. The t-shirt features the slogan God Loves a Terrier paired with a playful illustration of the Flecks and their terrier, Winky. The shirt is available from The Compass Rose Merch in six unisex sizes from S to 3XL, starting at $25.

Bumblebee Squeaky Toy

Amid all the cooking, feasting, football, and celebrating, it might be easy to overlook our furry companions. Enter Metropawlin Pet’s Benny Bumble Bee dog toy from Aura in Pink. Benny Bumble Bee is a squeaky chew and fetch dog toy reminiscent of Busy Bee, the squeaky toy that goes missing at the worst possible time in the classic movie Best in Show. Benny Bumble Bee will delight your very own best in show dog with its plush exterior that houses a spiky, squeaky ball. Metropawlin Pet Benny Bumble Bee Fuzzy Spiker Squeaky Ball Dog Toy is available at Aura in Pink for $16.69.