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National Dog Show winners: A 20th anniversary look back

By Wesley Coburn

OAKS, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Eduardo Paris, a native of Peru, competes with his Bulldog named "Thor" that won the "Best in Show" at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on November 16, 2019 in Oaks, Pennsylvania. Featuring over 2,000 dog entrants across 200 breeds, the National Dog Show, now it its 18th year, is televised on NBC directly after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and has a viewership of 20 million. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
OAKS, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Eduardo Paris, a native of Peru, competes with his Bulldog named "Thor" that won the "Best in Show" at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on November 16, 2019 in Oaks, Pennsylvania. Featuring over 2,000 dog entrants across 200 breeds, the National Dog Show, now it its 18th year, is televised on NBC directly after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and has a viewership of 20 million. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images) /
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The 2021 National Dog Show presented by Purina will air, as always, on NBC at noon across all time zones on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25. But who are the National Dog Show winners?

Since this Philadelphia-based conformation event hosted by David Frei and John O’Hurley is turning 20 this year, it seems like a good time to look back at all the different breeds and varieties to claim the Best in Show crown.

The Toy Group’s Biewer Terrier (pronounced “Beaver Terrier”) is the only new addition to the lineup for 2022, making about 209 breeds and varieties that the American Kennel Club recognizes as of this writing, and about 180 of those were entered in the 2021 National Dog Show.

The debut winner in 2001 was from the Sporting Group, a Labrador Retriever named Gus (officially Gustavus Brady). Other Sporting Group breed winners include Holly the Pointer (Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry) in 2008 and Clooney the Irish Setter (Windntide Mr Sandman) in 2010.

Which groups have produced the most National Dog Show winners?

The Hound Group has also seen its share of National Dog Show winners, beginning with Jewel the American Foxhound (GCH Kiarry’s Pandora’s Box) in 2013. She was followed the next year by Nathan the Bloodhound (Flessner’s International S’cess), Gia the Greyhound (GCH CH Grandcru Giaconda CGC) in 2016, Whiskey the Whippet (GCHG Pinnacle Tennessee Whiskey) in 2018, and Claire the Scottish Deerhound (GCH Foxcliffe Claire Randall Fraser) in 2020.

The Terrier Group has also faired well, with Best in Show wins for Gracie the Smooth Fox Terrier in 2004 (Aimhi Avalon Renaissance), Rufus the Colored Bull Terrier (Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid) in 2005, Sadie the Scottish Terrier (CH Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot) in 2009, Eira (GCH Steele Your Heart) and Sky (Afterall Painting the Sky) the Wire Fox Terriers in 2011-12, and Charlie the Skye Terrier (GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie) in 2015,

The Non-Sporting Group has been represented in the list of National Dog Show winners by Miki the Standard Poodle (Ale Kai Mikimoto On Fifth) in 2002 and Thor the Bulldog (GCHG Diamond Gold Majesu Pisko Bulls) in 2019.

The remaining National Dog Show winners include Vikki the Toy Poodle (Smash JP Win a Victory) and Newton the Brussels Griffon (GCH Somerset Wynzall Hashtag) from the Toy Group, Raisin the Doberman Pinscher (Blue Chip Purple Reign) from the Working Group in 2003, and Swizzle the Australian Shepherd (Buff Cap Creslane Arctic Mist) from the Herding Group in 2007.

Next. Five Thanksgiving foods that are dog-friendly and safe for pets. dark

Good luck to all the dogs who competed in the 2021 National Dog Show, and we hope everyone enjoys it from an audience perspective.

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