How the Canine National Show has become your favorite Thanksgiving tradition

Then Miller went to his bosses, who doubted that a dog show could be described as sport or even good television. But the reruns of "It's a wonderful life" after Macy's parade got bad grades, so Miller got the green light for those two hours – but only for this year.

"Do you know what?" Said Jeff Zucker, who was then his supervisor. "It can not be worse. Let's try. "

[Your dog and cat wish they could tell you this]

The renowned "National Dog Show" was first broadcast in November of this year. Miller prayed for it to match the critics of "It's a wonderful life," about a million viewers. He was at the movies the next morning when Zucker called out, "Have you seen the numbers of your dog show?" More than 18 million people had watched – more listeners than most of the successes as a bonus -time. "It does not happen often in our business," says Miller. An overnight classic (and a great moneymaker for NBC) was born.

From the beginning, two co-hosts were on the program: Frei, an internationally recognized expert on purebred dogs and father of the therapeutic dog movement, and a dog lover, O'Hurley, best known for interpreting J. Peterman in " Seinfeld. "

"I'm the brains behind the operation," jokes Frei.

"And I take this genius to make it acceptable to America," says O'Hurley.

Both are close friends and rock stars at dog shows. They are constantly stopped for selfies in person or, failing that, with their cardboard cutouts. But both insist that dogs deserve attention.

"We want to have as many close-ups of dogs as cameras so that everyone has the chance to feel how we feel about them," O'Hurley said.

About 10 years ago, Mary Carillo, a Sports Hall of Fame host, added the show to her duties (professional tennis, Olympics) because she loved dogs. She has worked both at Westminster and at this exhibition – Westminster is a bit more reserved, she says, while the National Dog Show is more fun.

"It's a more relaxed atmosphere here," she says. "There is something very happy about seeing beautiful, well-
behaved dogs. "

But make no mistake: this is a serious business for competitive domination. There were more than 2,000 dogs in the exhibition hall just outside Philly, and it was possible to shake the legs with each one of them because it is all about one of three "bench shows" in the United States – with designated backstage spaces where dogs are exposed. are not judged. This is an opportunity to discover an amazing canine variety, ranging from five-pound Yorkies to 200-pound mastiffs. When they are not in the ring, the show dogs are like the others: play, bark, steal kisses and be super cute.

Everyone at the National Dog Show is a dog enthusiast, which means educating people about the pros and cons of each breed. Pure breeds have been developed for specific tasks – hunting, hunting, flocking, guarding, etc. – with the exception of toy dogs, which were mainly domestic animals. Judges look for the ideal version of each race and each person has his favorite.

"I always lean towards the Irish settlers because their posture and auburn hair flowing in the breeze look like the redhead that has just entered the cocktail party," O'Hurley says. Frei loves Afghans; Carillo is a burrower because "they always seem to smile".

How to choose? The group of toys went to the ring to attend the "Plum Fairy Dance". (And yes, later, they played "Who let the dogs out?" Because they did it of course.) There were dogs that looked like lions, dogs that looked like mops, dogs that looked like cushions, and dogs that moved.

The champions are not moved by the lights, the music, the crowds. They stand still while the judge examines their bodies and then walk around the ring. One can not deny the power of sassy maneuvering. It's a beauty contest and a personality contest.

"He loves to show," says Fay Adcox, owner of Ghost, a 4-year-old Norwegian boy. "He has attitude. You tell him that he's a good boy and that he's just strutting around.

Thanks to the magic of television, seven hours are reduced in two: highlights of each group, better shows and backstage. All races do not broadcast, but each is posted online.

Another thing in full screen on the ring but discreetly edited for family TV: doggy manhood. Show dogs can not be sterilized or sterilized and must have all their parts intact. The American Kennel Club requires that all men have two testicles and the judges check for the presence of fake ones. (In Europe, one is enough, but American dogs must have two.) United States!

But the real trick is to keep the results secret – no titles, tweets, or photos of the winner. Reporters and photographers are embargoed until the end of the show and no major infractions have been reported for 17 years.

"There is a wave of goodwill that is echoing on the canine media and traditional media," said Steve Griffith, director of public relations for the show. Hundreds of people, including the general public at the fair, broke through the secret because it's fun and good for the dog world. "Our goal is to make a wonderful surprise on Thanksgiving Day."

After judging 192 breeds this year, the best show competition brought together seven group winners: Bella, a Pembroke Welsh corgi representing the breeders group; Billy, a Lhasa apso of the non sports group; Ducky, a retriever from the Chesapeake Bay sports group; King, terrier group terrier fox terrier; Bogie, a spaniel of King Charles Cavalier of the group of toys; Irupe, a Doberman Pinscher from the task force; and Whiskey, representing the group of hunting dogs.

The second was the Doberman and then the arena was killed. "Choose my dog!" Shouted a little girl from the audience. Best show: The judge pointed the whippet, which caused audible gasps in the crowd.

Whiskey, it must be said, is a beautiful dog. And a very good boy.

"He's a typical whippet: laid-back, nice, clean, easy to train and calm, and that's what makes him an adorable dog," says owner Justin Smithey, who has been presenting the breed for two decades. "He is an excellent competition dog because he is not intimidated by such a setting."

In fact, the 3 year old dog is already an old professional of the show circuit: whiskey is the best dog in the country and it was his 20th best show. The grand prize: $ 1,500, a big ribbon and Purina appetizers served on a silver platter.

Frei and O'Hurley, who are still trying to guess the judges, were surprised. "It was not even my second choice," says O'Hurley. "The haired terrier son seemed a bit slow. It was up to him to lose, and I think he lost it.

In the end, is it important to know who wins? To breeders and handlers, of course. For the rest of us, and maybe even the show dogs themselves, probably not. Each dog is a winner in the eyes of its owner.

"I read somewhere that when you die and go to heaven, every dog ​​you've ever loved will run to greet you," Carillo says. "A day like Thanksgiving, you can really be grateful for what they give to your life."