dog show
Jack Russell dogs race in the Jack Russell hurdle event during the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge at Huntington Beach, California, June 8, 2018. Getty Images/Mark Ralston

The wildly popular National Dog Show's 17th annual Thanksgiving Day special will air from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in all time zones across the United States on Thanksgiving Day. The annual canine competition took place Saturday and Sunday and NBC edits the 18-plus hours of footage into two hours.

According to the National Dog Show's website, John O'Hurley hosted the show since its inaugural year in 2002, and he is hosting again this year. David Frei, who has also been with the show since 2002, will serve as co-host and expert analyst. Mary Carillo, who has been with the show since 2010, will serve as a correspondent.

Click here to watch online.

In an interview with Parade this week, O'Hurley said Thanksgiving is his favorite day of the year.

"I think there’s something in it for everybody here. And there isn’t much programming anymore that really hits all of our mass audience from ages 4 to 94," O'Hurley told Parade. "This is something that everybody can watch. It’s a friend to everybody. It’s wonderful family entertainment on the best family day of the year."

This year viewers can expect to see more than 2,000 different dogs fighting for the Best in Show title.

Last year, the prestigious Best in Show award went to adorable 3-year-old Brussels Griffon (Toy Group) named Newton.

"Known for his almost human expression, the Brussels Griffon is an affectionate, charming and curious companion and an excellent watchdog. This sturdy Belgian breed is lively, intelligent and sensitive. His coat comes in two varieties -- rough and smooth. Both varieties need biweekly brushing. Active indoors, the Brussels Griffon is suitable for apartments but still needs daily walks," Newton's description read.

The year before that Gia, a Greyhound, was named Best in Show beating six other finalists.

"The judges examine the dogs and place them according to how closely each dog compares with the judge's mental image of the perfect dog as described in the breed's official standard. The main consideration is the dog's conformation or overall appearance, temperament and structure. The judges are looking for characteristics that allow the dog to perform the function for which his or her breed was bred," the website explains the judging procedure.

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