National Dog Show Presented By Purina® Will Introduce Two New Breeds Thanksgiving Day

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The National Dog Show Presented by Purina"® will introduce two, new American Kennel Club (AKC)-sanctioned breeds Thanksgiving Day when the 15^th annual NBC television broadcast airs nationally from noon-2 p.m. in all time zones following the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®.

The American Hairless Terrier (Terrier Group) and the Pumi (Pu-Mi) (Herding Group) will make their national, major-event debut before an audience of some 20 million total viewers with John O'Hurley, David Frei and reporter Mary Carillo providing commentary.

The addition of the American Hairless Terrier and the Pumi brings the total number of new breeds introduced since 2003 to 43. The total number of breeds recognized by the AKC is now 190. The total number of breeds and varieties eligible to compete in AKC confirmation dog shows is 202. A third new breed for 2016, the Sloughi, did not have an entry in the Kennel Club of Philadelphia-hosted show.

Because of heavy interest from dog lovers and breed enthusiasts around the world, the NBC Sports digital platforms, including www.NationalDogShow.com, will provide an exclusive look at the walks and judging of every breed-winning canine following the broadcast.   

NBC will present an encore of this year's "National Dog Show Presented by Purina®" on Saturday, Nov. 26 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT).

Breed descriptions follow:

• The American Hairless Terrier (AHT) is an energetic, intelligent breed that originated from a mixed breed of terriers called Feists, brought over to North America from Europe in the 18^th century. A more direct ancestor of the AHT is the Rat Terrier, a mixture of the Feist, Beagle, Italian Greyhound, and Miniature Pinscher. The AHT originated in 1972, when one puppy out of a litter of Rat Terriers was born hairless.
• The Pumi is a medium-sized, agile Hungarian herding breed. They are energetic, lively and ready to work, equally adept at gathering, driving and keeping livestock under control. The breed has a long head with semi-erect ears, a whimsical expression and a tail that forms a circle over the back. The coat (black, white, gray, or shades of fawn from pale cream to red) is a combination of wavy and curly hair, forming corkscrews or curls all over the body.  The Pumi is a family dog that loves to interact with people.

New breed descriptions sourced from AKC.org, dogbreedinfo.com and from independent breed sites and clubs.

SOURCE National Dog Show Presented by Purina

Related Links

http://www.NationalDogShow.com