National Dog Show Is John O'Hurley's 'Favorite Day of the Year'

As co-host of the National Dog Show since 2002, actor John O'Hurley has seen it all. "In the second or third year, I was sitting in the NBC booth when a Great Dane walked by and 'christened' the carpet," he tells PEOPLEPets.com. "But I guess that's just dogs being dogs!"

And dogs will be on their best doggie behavior come Thursday, when the National Dog Show presented by Purina airs nationwide. "It's really my favorite day of the year," O'Hurley says. "It's fun to walk up and down the aisles backstage, meet the owners and dogs, and get the excitement they feel from the energy of the event."

Taped in Philadelphia on Nov. 14 and 15, the show always offers compelling stories, excitement and of course, cute pups. "It's a wonderful two hours about dogs, with some educational anecdotes thrown in there as well," he says.

O'Hurley, who grew up with pups and currently has three of his own, definitely has a few favorites. "I can't wait for the Irish Setter, because I think there's nothing prettier than watching it run with that beautiful red coat. I also say that about the Afghans, too."

The actor's son, 2-year-old William, is now growing up with dogs of his own, too: 9-year-old Maltese Scotchie and puppies Sadie, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, and Lucy, a Havanese. "It was a little scary at the beginning," O'Hurley admits. "We got two puppies at the same time we had an infant. But as he's gotten bigger, and they've gotten to be more controlled as they lose that puppy energy, it's worked out."

But regardless of who's running the O'Hurley household, come Thursday, the entire place will go to the dogs. He jokes, "I just love this gig. How many actors have the opportunity to embrace a world they have no business in?"

Tune into NBC at noon on Thursday for complete National Dog Show coverage. And check out O'Hurley's canine-inspired books: It's Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump: And Other Life Lessons I Learned from Dogs and Before Your Dog Can Eat Your Homework, First You Have to Do It: Life Lessons from a Wise Old Dog to a Young Boy.

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Kendra Wilkinson Dresses Her Pups As Santa and Mrs. Claws!
Zachary Quinto's Workout Buddy? His Dog Noah!

Kate Hogan