Co-Host/Commentators John O’Hurley and David Frei talk to The Inside about evolution, energy, breeds and the tradition that is “The National Dog Show” on NBC.
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00:02 - It's such a warm blanket every year
00:21 with the National Dog Show.
00:22 I mean, could you talk about,
00:24 you guys can anticipate each other probably now
00:27 when you're doing your commentary.
00:30 Can you talk about that
00:31 and how your relationships have all been throughout the years?
00:33 - Well, we do, we finish each other's sentences.
00:36 Yeah, it's, but no, it's wonderful.
00:40 I've learned a lot in the shadow of my co-host here.
00:44 I had a much larger learning curve
00:47 when I started off 22 years ago.
00:49 - John is, we're like an old married couple.
00:52 John has worked hard to learn about dogs,
00:55 to learn about the sport,
00:56 and he's been a great partner for me, obviously,
00:59 from the professional standpoint
01:00 with the television and all.
01:01 But I was glad that we could help him become a star
01:04 after being on that little comedy show, "Seinfeld,"
01:06 and came to the dog show
01:08 where he's got 25 million people watching him every year.
01:11 We're glad to help his career.
01:13 - This is Sandy.
01:15 Footsteps in the Sand is its registered name.
01:19 That beautiful, expressive face
01:22 that we see with the pugs coming right.
01:24 - Looking after Winston one last year,
01:26 it's interesting what people like
01:28 and what you guys end up seeing getting the best at show.
01:32 Can you talk about how that has evolved over time
01:34 from your point of view, David,
01:36 but also John, looking at what different dogs,
01:39 you know, are able to come to the forefront?
01:41 Obviously, you have two beautiful ones there with you.
01:44 - Well, it's a very competitive sport,
01:47 and there's a lot of great show dogs out there,
01:49 and it's all up to the judge.
01:50 It's a very subjective thing for the judge
01:53 to be able to pick the dog that they like.
01:56 It could be a different dog than the one that I like.
01:58 It could be different than the one that John likes,
02:00 and it often is different than what the two of us like.
02:03 But it is competitive.
02:05 We do have great athletes, great specimens of their breed,
02:08 and it all comes down to the very end.
02:10 One person will pick the best in show dog.
02:12 (upbeat music)
02:15 - From Italy, the Bracco Italiano,
02:19 one of the world's oldest pointing dogs.
02:22 A terrific hunter, curious, and headstrong,
02:25 and watch for the Bracco Trot.
02:27 They move as if they're floating on a cloud.
02:30 - There really is a difference
02:31 between the advantage the judge has
02:34 by being able to put their hands on the dog,
02:38 because a lot of what they are looking for
02:41 to judge against the written specification
02:45 has to deal with the alignment of the shoulders
02:47 and the hips, and also a good look at the mouth
02:51 and the dental structure of the dog,
02:54 gauging the attentiveness of the dog through the eyes,
02:57 the runs that they have, all of that stuff,
02:59 much more from the advantage of the judge.
03:02 In the arena, we're close,
03:06 but not as close as the judges.
03:10 And of course, if you're watching on television,
03:11 you're looking at the closeup,
03:14 but you don't have a chance to put your hands on the dog.
03:17 So that's really the advantage that the judge has.
03:20 - From Hungary, the Moody.
03:21 This remarkable looking farm dog herds cattle and sheep.
03:25 And if you've got kids, the lovingly herd them too.
03:28 Moody's are fearless guard dogs and good house dogs.
03:32 And Moody's are anything but moody.
03:35 - Can you guys talk about the energy in those centers?
03:39 Because the thing is, obviously, as you were saying, John,
03:41 you can see it on TV and it's one thing,
03:43 and it's done with a different shot.
03:45 What's the energy usually like there on the day
03:48 for both of you?
03:49 And has it changed over the years?
03:51 - Well, it's alive.
03:52 And if it's changed over the years,
03:54 it's because we have a live audience there
03:57 of 10 to 15,000 people.
03:59 And the dogs can feel it.
04:00 It's an adrenaline rush for them.
04:02 Not only do they get a few good sniffs in,
04:04 but they get to interact with the people
04:07 because this is a benched show,
04:09 which means the dogs, the handlers, the owners,
04:12 they all remain there on site.
04:14 So that you can walk up and down the aisles
04:17 and see anywhere from 1,800 to 2,000
04:21 of the best dogs in the country.
04:23 - I say the same thing all the time.
04:24 When a dog walks into the room, the energy changes.
04:27 And you can imagine with 2,000 dogs
04:30 in a great big room what the energy level is like.
04:34 It's fun to watch them compete,
04:35 but the dogs are having fun.
04:37 They're being dogs.
04:38 And I think that's what we all enjoy the most,
04:40 is to see that all of us are having a great time
04:43 with the dogs that we love.
04:47 - Always one of my favorite breeds here.
04:49 One of the great parent clubs,
04:50 the Golden Retriever Club of America.org.
04:52 Go to their website.
04:53 Out of my way.
04:54 Out of my way.
04:56 Stand aside, everyone.
04:57 - Looking forward to this year.
04:58 Obviously, for us, it's a tradition.
05:00 We love seeing that.
05:02 But for you guys, what do you look forward to this year?
05:05 Is there something that maybe you haven't seen
05:08 or a favorite that you maybe would like to see?
05:11 - We're doing something special this year
05:12 along with Purina.
05:14 Purina is going to be awarding
05:17 to not only purebred dogs, but to mutts as well.
05:21 And they have a special competition
05:23 called Thanksgiving's Top Dog.
05:26 And if you go to Thanksgiving's, S in there,
05:29 Thanksgiving's Top Dog.com,
05:31 during the show, you'll be able to put your vote in
05:34 for who is going to be the top dog in America.
05:37 They'll be announcing it later on during the day.
05:42 And a reminder, if you go online to nationaldogshow.com,
05:46 you can watch the video of all 192 breeds
05:49 along with the seven group competitions.
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