Elite Competition, New Breeds And More In National Dog Show Presented by Purina Thanksgiving Day On NBC Following Macy's Parade

Holiday TV Special, Hosted by John O'Hurley & David Frei, Also Airing Friday Night in Primetime on NBC

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The NBC Thanksgiving Day special, "The National Dog Show Presented by Purina®," will crown one of America's great purebreds as its 2012 champion on Thanksgiving Day, bringing canine competition and entertainment into America's living rooms for the 11^th year.

The holiday special (noon -  2 p.m. in all time zones) follows the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC and is watched annually by a total of almost 20 million viewers. Over 170 breeds vie for "Best in Show" honors in the tradition-rich Kennel Club of Philadelphia competition.  An encore presentation will air on NBC in primetime on Friday from 8-10 p.m. ET.

"Families now know to find the National Dog Show Presented by Purina on Thanksgiving Day at noon following the Macy's Parade," said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network.  "With the encore presentation Friday night, these great dogs get to show their stuff in primetime."

The special is a celebration of America's fascination with man's best friend, hosted by TV personality John O'Hurley, the "Seinfeld" ensemble actor (catalogue king J. Peterman). O'Hurley is joined by expert analyst David Frei, the voice of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on USA Network and America's foremost authority on the sport.

The National Dog Show also boasts a powerful online presence at www.NBCSports.com and at www.NationalDogShow.com.  Because of heavy interest from breed enthusiasts around the world, those platforms offer a look at every dog in the group competition, featuring the walks and judging of all the breed-winning canines.  The online video will include extensive highlights from the TV special and video from the 10 past Best In Show winners.  The sites will also feature behind the scenes photos and video, capturing all of the backstage energy generated by 1,500-plus eager canines.

Unlike traditional dog show coverage, the two-hour special's unique content is facilitated by the open format of the event, one of only five remaining "benched" shows in which the dogs are on display all day for the visiting public.

The show will spotlight two new AKC-recognized breeds, the Russell Terrier and Treeing Walker Coonhound, making their television and major-event debuts.

SOURCE National Dog Show Presented by Purina

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