The History of the National Dog Show

The purpose of a dog show is to evaluate purebred dogs, using standards determined by individual breed organizations. Handlers strive to present a dog that matches the ideal description of each breed; additional titles, such as best in show, are then determined using more general criteria. What started as an isolated local event in the 19th century has evolved into a worldwide tradition in which millions of dogs and their handlers take part every year.

  1. Origin of Dog Shows

    • The first dog shows were small events held in English pubs in the 1800s. The first official dog show was held in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1859. The dog breeds were limited to pointers and setters, but when the show was moved to Birmingham later that year it expanded to include other sporting dogs. The first terrier dog show was held in 1886, and grew into the all-breeds Crufts Dog Show. Dog shows began to appear in the United States after the founding of the American Kennel Club in 1884.

    Kennel Clubs

    • The Kennel Club was established in the UK in 1873, and in 1874 published a "Stud Book" that included results from previous dog shows and rules for future dog shows. The Kennel Club introduced dog registration in 1880, effectively streamlining record keeping for dog shows. Several isolated kennel clubs were established in the United States in the late 1800s, but the American Kennel Club became predominant in 1884 and created the guidelines that govern dog shows in the United States.

    The National Dog Show Presented by Purina

    • Modern dog shows contain many dog breeds.

      In the United States, The National Dog Show refers to the highly publicized dog show held annually on Thanksgiving Day and formally called The National Dog Show Presented by Purina. The National Dog Show is hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, an organization that has hosted dog shows in the United States since 1879. The National Dog Show in its current form debuted in 2002 and showcases more than 2,000 purebred dogs.

    The National Dog Show at Birmingham

    • The first dog shows included only sporting dogs.

      In the United Kingdom, The National Dog Show refers to the dog show organized by the Birmingham Dog Show Society. Held annually in May at the Staffordshire County Showground in Stafford, The National Dog Show is also called the National Show of Sporting and Other Dogs. The current National Dog Show grew out of the first dog show held in Birmingham in 1859, and is therefore considered the world's oldest dog show.

    Other National Dog Shows

    • Although the two dog shows listed above claim the name "The National Dog Show," there are other important dog shows around the United States and the world that bestow titles such as national champion. International dog shows have also developed, including World Dog Shows in which dogs compete with other national champions from dog shows around the world.