Can you believe that it’s already that special time of year? The time for food, family, and favorite dog breeds. Why, it’s time for the 2021 National Dog Show, of course. We wait all year for these beautiful breeds to grace our television screens, but perhaps this year, there’s more anticipation than there has been in the past.
Last year, the National Dog Show was held without spectators, vendors, or media due to pandemic restrictions. The competition was even reduced from the nearly 2,000 dogs who ordinarily compete to a mere 600. The stadium was empty, and it simply wasn’t the same experience. But this year, the competition is back and better than ever.
There’s even a new breed being considered for the high honor of “best in show” this year. Competing for the first time is the Biewer Terrier. Known for being super friendly, healthy, and absolutely adorable, the Biewer Terrier (pronounced like “beaver”) will be competing in the toy group. These tiny pups are a direct descendant of the Yorkshire Terrier and will only weigh a mere four to eight pounds fully grown. The two tiny breeds look quite similar, but an easy way to tell the difference between a Yorkie and Biewer is to look at their tail. A Biewer Terrier will have a full tail that plumes over the back, while a Yorkie will not.
How Can I Watch The Dog Show?
If you live near or are willing to travel to the Philadelphia area, you can watch it live this year. As of writing this article, tickets are still available to watch the show in person at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center over the weekend of November 20th and 21st. Each day is a separate and distinct dog show with breed, group and best in show judging, but it’s the show on the 20th that will air on national television. Proof of vaccination will be required, so children under the age of 12 will not be allowed to enter. If you’ve already purchased a ticket for the event but can no longer attend due to their vaccination policy, you can request a refund.
But if you’re planning to tune in from your living room, you can catch the two-hour broadcast during its traditional Thanksgiving time slot. The dog show will air at noon on November 25th in every time zone, right after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. You can also anticipate hearing the cathartic voices of customary commentators Mary Carillo, David Frei, and John O’Hurley during the canine competition.
How Does A Dog Win?
Interestingly, the dogs don’t technically compete against one another. At every point in the show, they compete against the written standards of their breed. First, they start in a group with all of the dogs of the same breed. Once they win against them, they move on to be evaluated within one of seven groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Once they win against their group, they move on to compete for best in show. Last year, it was Claire, a three-year-old Scottish Deerhound who took the title.
Which breed are you hoping takes the title of “best in show” this year? Are you partial to Poodles? Rooting for the Rottweilers? Favoring the Fox Terrier? Tell us in the comments below. We are dying to know the details.
H / T: dailypaws.com
Featured Image: Facebook
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