David Frei to Host His 50th Major Dog Show Telecast on Thanksgiving Day

David Frei, the most prominent face and voice in the dog show world, will host his 50th major event dog show telecast when the National Dog Show Presented by Purina airs on NBC Thanksgiving Day. Frei has served as the television host for the popular show since its inception in 2002. He previously hosted the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for 27 years, from 1990 to 2016.

Frei’s journey began in professional football public relations with the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos before discovering his true passion for dogs and dog shows. Over his career, he has become known as “America’s dog guy,” reflecting his extensive contributions to the canine community.

Frei co-hosts the National Dog Show with actor John O’Hurley, creating a Thanksgiving Day tradition that attracts over 20 million viewers from noon to 2 p.m. across all time zones. He has also shared the screen with NBC Olympics host Mary Carillo, his longtime broadcast partner from Westminster.

In addition to his broadcasting work, Frei is a strong advocate for therapy dogs. He founded the non-profit organization Angel On A Leash in 2003, which promotes therapy dog programs in healthcare settings. He continues to volunteer with therapy dogs at Seattle’s VA Hospital.

He has authored two award-winning books and been recognized by the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) for his lifetime achievements in the dog show community, including his induction into the DWAA Hall of Fame in 2018.

“I continually say that a lot of what comes out of my mouth is coming out of someone else’s brain,” Frei states, emphasizing the collaborative nature of his work. “The dogs are the stars. I just happen to be lucky enough to be the one telling their great stories to the world.”

As he approaches this significant milestone, Frei expresses gratitude for the journey that has allowed him to share his love for dogs with millions. “I thank my dogs every day for letting me be the guy on the other end of their leash. Because of them, I am truly blessed.”

Short URL: https://caninechronicle.com/?p=311736

Posted by Liz on Nov 22 2024. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.