Adding a puppy pile of good boys and girls to our list of things to be thankful for this year, NBC continued its honorable 18-year tradition of airing the 2019 National Dog Show this Thanksgiving.
The actual event took place earlier on Nov. 16-17, held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. However, the wider American public had to wait for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade floats to finish their trek through New York before they got to glimpse the distinguished doggos.
Almost 2000 dogs competed in the National Dog Show this year, representing almost 200 breeds. This included sweet noodle boy Bahir, the first Azawakh ever shown at the event. A West African dog bred for hunting and guarding, the Azawakh is the only dog breed that is taller than it is long.
Handler Aliya Taylor showing Bahir, the National Dog Show's first Azawahk and a very tall boy. Credit: bill mccay / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images As famous dog-arbiter We Rate Dogs has demonstrated time and time again, rating dogs is a difficult business. Though every dog deserves full marks, the judges at the National Dog Show were a tad more selective since they had a limited number of ribbons to award.
The dogs at the show are divided into seven categories to be assessed: Herding, Hound, Non-Sporting, Sporting, Terrier, Toy and Working. Judges base their decisions on "how closely each dog compares with the judge’s mental image of the perfect dog as described in the breed’s official standard.
"The main consideration is the dog’s conformation or overall appearance, temperament and structure. The judges are looking for characteristics that allow the dog to perform the function for which his or her breed was bred."
This year, that pinnacle of perfection was achieved by two-year-old bulldog Thor, also known as GCHG Diamond Gold Majesu Pisko Bulls. Winner of the Non-Sporting group, the fuzzy god of thunder beat out the winners of the other six categories to take the coveted Best in Show title — the first time a bulldog has done so in a century.
"He's a dog that always gives everything for me," said Thor's handler Eduardo Paris in a post-show interview.
"He's a very complete dog, you know? It's not just one piece, it's many pieces together. He moves like a dream. The outline is beautiful, the head is beautiful, everything. I love this dog."
Handler Eduardo Paris celebrates Thor's big win. Credit: Mark makela / Getty Images Though the National Dog Show was delightful overall, it was a gross oversight that only one dog could be awarded Best in Show. All of them were clearly incredibly deserving, and every single one of the pups should have taken home a ribbon.
Hopefully this was just an error the National Dog Show will rectify next year. For now though, while they aren't all Best in Show, at least they can take comfort in knowing that they are all very good dogs.
A lovely German Shepherd. I don't know his name, but I trust him. Credit: Bill McCay / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 
A cute West Highland Terrier doing a blep. Credit: bill mccay / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 
A cloud masquerading as an Australian Shepherd. Credit: bill mccay / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 
Why is this Dalmatian's face not covered in kisses? Credit: bill mccay / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 
An Irish Setter with a better haircut than I've ever had in my entire life. Credit: bill mccay / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 
Can this Old English Sheepdog see? I need to know. Credit: bill mccay / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 
A 15-inch Beagle being a very good and patient boy. Credit: bill mccay / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 
An absolutely adorable Miniature American Shepherd that demands to be petted. Credit: nancy schwartz / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images