It happens every year like clockwork. You’re sitting on the couch, maybe with a half-eaten sandwich or a actual dog at your feet, and you realize you’ve missed the first three groups of the Westminster. Or worse, you’re scrolling through 800 channels of nothingness trying to find out where the Poodles went. Finding what channel is the dog show on shouldn't feel like a high-stakes scavenger hunt, but with streaming rights bouncing around like a Corgi on a trampoline, it kind of is.
Honestly, the "Big Three" shows—Westminster, the National Dog Show, and the AKC National Championship—each live on totally different networks. If you’re looking for the 2026 season, you’ve basically got to juggle NBC, FOX, and ABC depending on the month.
The Big One: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2026
The 150th Anniversary of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a massive deal this year. Because it's the sesquicentennial, the schedule is a bit more spread out than usual.
Westminster is on FOX, FS1, and FS2. If you want the primetime glory—the Group judging and the big Best in Show trophy—you need to point your remote toward FS1 (Fox Sports 1). For 2026, the main event is happening Monday, February 2, and Tuesday, February 3. Usually, the "pre-show" starts around 7:00 PM ET, with the heavy-hitting judging kicking off at 7:30 PM ET.
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But wait, there's more. The daytime breed judging (where you actually get to see every single breed before they get narrowed down) is typically on FS2 or streamed via the FOX Sports App. If you’re a die-hard fan of the Masters Agility Championship, that’s usually a weekend treat. For 2026, the Agility Finals are slated for Saturday, January 31, and you can catch those on the main FOX broadcast network in the afternoon.
Thanksgiving Tradition: The National Dog Show
This is the one everyone watches while the turkey is in the oven. It’s the easiest one to find because it never changes.
The National Dog Show is on NBC.
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It airs on Thanksgiving Day, which in 2026 falls on November 26. The broadcast starts at 12:00 PM in every single time zone. No matter if you’re in New York or Los Angeles, it’s noon. It follows the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, so most people just leave the TV on and let the dogs take over the living room. If you’ve cut the cord, you can stream it live on Peacock.
One thing people get wrong: this show is actually recorded a few weeks earlier in Philadelphia. If you see spoilers on social media in mid-November, don't say I didn't warn you. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia puts this on, and John O’Hurley usually handles the hosting duties with that silky-smooth voice of his.
The AKC National Championship
Often confused with the National Dog Show, the AKC National Championship is a different beast entirely. It’s held in Orlando in December, but the TV broadcast usually happens a bit later, often between Christmas and New Year's.
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The AKC National Championship is on ABC.
The 2025/2026 cycle for this show typically airs as a three-hour special. For the most recent 25th anniversary, it hit the screens on December 28 at 12:00 PM ET. If you want to watch the actual "live" action as it happens in Florida (which usually goes down around December 12-14), you have to go to AKC.tv.
Where to Stream if You Don't Have Cable
If you’re wondering what channel is the dog show on because you don't actually have channels, you’ve got options. Everything is moving toward apps anyway.
- AKC.tv: This is the holy grail for dog show nerds. It’s a free digital network. They stream smaller shows, like the Kennel Club of Palm Springs (usually early January), and all the niche events like Obedience and Agility that don't make the big TV cuts.
- Peacock: This is your home for anything NBC-related, specifically the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving.
- FOX Sports App: You’ll need a login for this one (usually from a friend or your internet provider), but it’s the best way to catch Westminster breed judging.
- YouTube: Believe it or not, the Westminster Kennel Club and the AKC are great about uploading individual breed judging clips. If you just want to see the Golden Retrievers and skip the rest, check their official channels a few hours after the show.
Summary of the 2026 Dog Show Calendar
| Event | Date | Primary Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Kennel Club of Palm Springs | Jan 3, 2026 | AKC.tv |
| Westminster Agility Finals | Jan 31, 2026 | FOX |
| Westminster Dog Show (Groups/BIS) | Feb 2-3, 2026 | FS1 |
| National Dog Show | Nov 26, 2026 | NBC |
| AKC National Championship | Dec 2026 (TBA) | ABC / AKC.tv |
Actionable Tips for the Best Viewing Experience
Don't just turn on the TV and hope for the best. These shows are long, and the "good stuff" is often tucked away.
- Check the "Order of Judging": For Westminster, look at the official website the morning of the show. They’ll tell you exactly what time the Hounds or the Toys are hitting the ring so you don't sit through three hours of Terriers if you're not into them.
- Download the AKC.tv App: It's free on Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV. It's the easiest way to see the "non-televised" parts of these events.
- Set Your DVR Early: Sports events sometimes run over. If you're recording Westminster on FS1, add an extra 30 minutes to your recording time. There's nothing worse than the recording cutting off right before the judge points to the winner.
Knowing what channel is the dog show on depends entirely on which trophy is being handed out. Bookmark this or keep your apps updated, and you'll never miss a Best in Show moment again.