JOHN O’HURLEY

For over 23 years, John O’Hurley has spent his Thanksgiving in the doghouse, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Luckily for him, it’s all part of a day’s work and a job he loves discussing, especially in this exclusive interview with our sister magazine, Pet Lifestyles Magazine. O’Hurley, best known for his role as John Peterman in the NBC series Seinfeld and Dancing with the Stars, has been co-hosting The National Dog Show alongside David Frei, the dean of dog show commentators, since The National Dog Show premiered on the Peacock Network in 2002, following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

O’Hurley, who has had dogs since he was four years old, tells us, “The National Dog Show is a family-oriented program that appeals to everyone. Okay, maybe not cats, but it’s in a wonderful slot. After the Parade and before football. So, as I jokingly say, “Dogs until two.”

As of 2023, over 25 million people reportedly watched The National Dog Show, where 2,000 dogs representing 205 recognized breeds by the American Kennel Club competed for Best of Breed, First in Group, and the coveted title of Best in Show.  

PREPARATION IS KEY
For his part, O’Hurley makes it his business to school himself on the topic of dogs by conducting extensive research and studying his notes before the cameras start rolling. “I have to do my homework,” O’Hurley tells us, “Because each of the dogs is distinct, they have different functions, they have historical experiences, and the judges base their decisions on written specifications I need to talk about and describe to our audience.”

How are the contestants chosen from a pool of millions? Regarding the audition process, a seasoned expert panel views the applicants vying for a spot. O’Hurley says, “There are thousands of dog shows across the country that are AKC certified and where people are constantly showing their dogs. To be a considered candidate on The National Dog Show,” O’Hurley says, “Dogs must win their breed category.”

There are seven categories: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. You can learn more about each by visiting The National Dog Show’s website and clicking “The Seven Groups” under Event/Vendor Info. To find which specific group your dog falls under, look for the “Meet the Breeds” tab, where you will see a complete list identifying each breed. 

THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Like any television series or Hollywood movie set, a lot goes on behind the scenes. At The National Dog Show, for example, dogs take part in an all-day priming process because each dog must be well groomed. The dogs also need a proper haircut since their overall appearance is part of their score. When picking a winner, O’Hurley explains, “It is not about the cutest dog but what is the perfect representation of what that breed should be.”

Away from the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Philadelphia, where the show takes place and more than 20,000 people attend every year, O’Hurley likes to be at home playing with his two rescues, Charlotte and Mia. They keep him active all day long because, as he puts it, “they have a little bit of terrier in them.”

For more information on The National Dog Show, visit: nds.nationaldogshow.com