National Dog Show to Add Three New Breeds in November
The annual competition will feature new breeds when nearly 2,000 dogs arrive in Pennsylvania for the event this month.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Dogs
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The National Dog Show is set to introduce three new breeds to its competition this year in Oaks, Pennsylvania. Nearly 2,000 dogs across 200 breeds will compete when the event begins on November 14, 2026.
Why it matters
The show serves as a key showcase for breed variety and standards in the United States, providing a televised platform for both long-established and newly recognized canine breeds to gain public recognition.
The National Dog Show is adding the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, and the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier to its roster. These join a competition featuring roughly 2,000 dogs competing for titles.
The players
National Dog Show
A major benched canine exhibition held annually that showcases nearly 200 different dog breeds.
NBC
The national television network that broadcasts the annual dog show on Thanksgiving Day.
The details
As a benched show, the National Dog Show requires all handlers and their dogs to remain at the Philadelphia Expo Center throughout the duration of the event. This format ensures that attendees can meet the dogs and their handlers, providing a hands-on look at the diverse traits of the competing breeds. The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, one of the new additions, was formerly known as the Type B Rat Terrier until its name change in 1999.
Timeline
November 14, 2026: First day of National Dog Show competition.
November 15, 2026: Second day of National Dog Show competition.
Thanksgiving Day 2026: Broadcast of the dog show on NBC.
The Home Front
The addition of new breeds to the National Dog Show reflects broader shifts in dog registry recognition and breed popularity in the United States. This event highlights how professional standards evolve to include specific terriers and toy breeds that have gained formal competitive status.
Viewers planning to watch the broadcast on Thanksgiving Day can prepare by identifying the specific traits of the three newly added breeds. Those interested in potential adoption or breed research can use the event to observe the temperament and maintenance needs of these unique dogs.
The takeaway
The National Dog Show continues to expand its reach by incorporating newer recognized breeds into its national exhibition. Keep an eye on the event schedule for November 14 and 15 to see how these three new breeds perform alongside the nearly 200 existing participants.
Further reading
Learn more about canine standards and competitive events in the Dogs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Audacy.
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