David Frei and John O'Hurley on the National Dog Show: "My Dogs at Home Would Never Speak to Me Again If I Didn't Root for Their Family"
The National Dog Show presented by Purina — the most prestigious dog show in the United States, airing on NBC immediately following the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade — returned for its ninth year with host John O'Hurley (Dancing with the Stars Season 1 champion, former Family Feud host) and commentator David Frei. Premier Guide Miami's Daedrian McNaughton spoke with the duo about their favorite breeds, six new breeds joining the show, and the "alma mater factor" that keeps Frei rooting for his Brittanys, Cavaliers, and Afghan Hounds.
From the Vault · 2010
This is an archival piece from the Premier Guide Miami collection. The coverage, context, and details reflect the time it was originally published.
The National Dog Show presented by Purina — the most prestigious dog show in the United States, airing on NBC immediately following the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade — returned for its ninth year with host John O'Hurley (Dancing with the Stars Season 1 champion, former Family Feud host) and commentator David Frei. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.
The National Dog Show presented by Purina — the most prestigious dog show in the United States — has captured the hearts of animal lovers and entertained millions for over eight years. The show airs on NBC from noon to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, immediately following the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Host John O'Hurley, Season 1 champion of Dancing with the Stars and former host of Family Feud, returned alongside illustrious commentator David Frei.
On favorite breeds — John O'Hurley: "I always love watching the Irish Setter come into the ring. To me it represents the best of what dogs are in terms of their gait and the way the coat flows. Every year I get seduced and abandoned because the dog never figures into the best in show, but I do love that breed in particular."
David Frei: "I call it the alma mater factor — I always root for my own breeds. I root for my Brittanys and I root for my Cavaliers. My dogs at home would never speak to me again if I didn't root for their family out there. I've had a long time with the Afghan Hounds too. But I've come to love them all. I just love seeing a great dog, a great athletic dog, well presented, beautifully groomed, doing their thing."
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On new breeds: John O'Hurley: "This year we are introducing more breeds than we have done cumulatively in the past nine years." David Frei: "We have six new breeds."
On the elegance of the show — John O'Hurley: "It's a day of elegance. We're just spotlighting the dogs and they're the most elegant."
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David Frei and John O'Hurley on the national dog show — this is the kind of conversation Premier Guide Miami was built to have. Follow us for more Love Miami.
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