American Kennel Club Eukanuba National Championship

If the National Dog Show didn’t slake your thirst for capering canines this Thanksgiving, swing on by the Orange County Convention Center to feast your eyes on some of the finest purebred specimens of man’s most faithful friend. Nearly 5,000 dogs will compete for the championship, arranged in eight categories based on breed: sporting, hound, toy, non-sporting, working, terrier, herding and miscellaneous. If you find your attention flagging, drop by one of the 86 vendors with booths at the event, or stop by the Agility Invitational, the Obedience Classic or the Juniors Classic Rally events taking place concurrently with the main show. An official Meet the Breeds session will allow you to get up close and personal with some of the 181 golden retrievers, 103 dachshunds, 88 French bulldogs and 77 poodles (just to name a few) that will be competing in the championship – with figures like that, you run the very real risk of drowning in puppy love. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. – Bernard Wilchusky