We Take You Behind the Scenes at the 2014 National Dog Show

On Saturday we got a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of The National Dog Show, which brought together 1,612 pedigreed dogs from 175 breeds and varieties to vie for the coveted title of Best in Show.

The telecast of the competition doesn't air until Thanksgiving Day on NBC, but here's a taste of the backstage excitement in the benching area — plus some scenes you may not see on TV.

National Dog Show 2014 Benching

National Dog Show Airedale Terrier

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Fernando Salas of Oakland, New Jersey, gives a smooch to his 7-month-old Airedale Terrier, Reina. Her name means "queen" in Spanish.

National Dog Show Belgian Tervuren

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Nukaq is a 2-year-old Belgian Tervuren whose name means "little sister" in Inuit. She and her sister, Valor, are both therapy dogs.

National Dog Show Komondor

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Chauncy the Komondor drew plenty of admiring fans who asked to touch his corded white coat.

National Dog Show Standard Poodle

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Darby the Poodle gets pampered — er, groomed — before her turn in the ring.

National Dog Show Wire-haired Vizsla

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Mark Goodwein of California holds his "50-pound lapdog," a Wirehaired Vizsla named Izzy.

National Dog Show Bedlington Terrier

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Is there a more perfect name for this gorgeous Bedlington Terrier than Vogue? We don't think so!

National Dog Show Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

What's so funny, Lucy? This 2-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi loved goofing off for the camera.

National Dog Show Great Dane

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

A handler adjusts her Great Dane in the show ring.

National Dog Show French Bulldog

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Thanks to her friendly personality and adorable bat ears, Maddie the 5-year-old French Bulldog made lots of friends in the benching area.

National Dog Show Siberian Husky

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Ziva the Siberian Husky waits for her turn in the ring.

National Dog Show Spinone Italiano

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Can you tell which shaggy breed this nose belongs to? The answer is here.

National Dog Show Bullmastiff

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

A handler leans down to kiss her Bullmastiff in the ring as a judge looks on.

National Dog Show Wheaten Terrier

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Is it just us or is this Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier winning Movember?

National Dog Show Spanish Water Dog

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Rudi the Spanish Water Dog shows off the breed's signature curls.

National Dog Show Poodle Grooming

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Co-owner and handler Michelle Birchard grooms Sam, a 7-month-old Poodle.

National Dog Show Border Collie

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Boo the Border Collie's owner says she's the calmest example of a breed not exactly known for being calm!

National Dog Show Shiba Inu

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Two Shiba Inu dogs wait attentively outside the show ring.

National Dog Show Bulldog

Shayna Meliker, vetstreet.com

Frannie the Bulldog slept like this for a while — unwittingly posing for more than a few pictures.

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