Best of Show Winners and Record Holders
The National Dog Show, televised on NBC since 2002, crowns a Best of Show winner each November after the Kennel Club competition format. The event follows United Kennel Club and American Kennel Club judging standards, with dogs evaluated against breed standards and overall conformation. The show is produced by the same team behind the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, with judges appointed from the professional canine judging community Forbes.
Since 2002, multiple breeds have repeated as Best of Show winners, with Wire Fox Terriers and Scottish Terriers among the most frequent champions. The 2023 Best of Show winner was a Wire Fox Terrier, continuing a trend of terrier breeds dominating recent titles. Other recent winners include French Bulldogs, Boxers, and Doberman Pinschers, reflecting shifting preferences among breeders and judges American Kennel Club.
Top Breeds and Competition Categories
The National Dog Show features seven groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Each group holds a Best of Breed competition before advancing to group winners, which then compete for Best in Show. The Toy Group has gained visibility in recent years, with breeds like the Italian Greyhound and Papillon frequently placing highly NBC News.
Most Successful Breeds by Group
Wire Fox Terriers hold the record for most Best in Show wins at the National Dog Show, followed by Scottish Terriers and Bull Terriers. In the Sporting Group, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers consistently rank among top competitors. The Working Group features Giant Schnauzers and Siberian Huskies, while the Herding Group is dominated by Belgian Malinois and Australian Shepherds USDA.
Event Format, Judging Criteria, and Industry Impact
Judges evaluate dogs on structure, gait, breed type, and temperament, comparing each dog to the official breed standard written by the parent breed club. The National Dog Show uses a single judge per group and a separate judge for Best in Show, a format designed to reduce bias and increase consistency. Entries are limited to dogs that have earned championship points or breed championships through recognized kennel clubs SEC.
Economic and Media Reach
The National Dog Show attracts millions of television viewers annually and generates significant sponsorship revenue from pet food, veterinary, and accessory brands. The event supports local kennel clubs through entry fees and raises awareness for canine health organizations. Industry analysts track breed popularity spikes following televised wins, with French Bulldogs and Labrador Retrievers seeing measurable increases in registration numbers after high-profile victories Forbes.