My Pet World: 'Best in Show' celebrates 15th anniversary

The movie "Best in Show," spoofing the dog show world, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Some dog show aficionados were offended by the satire, but dog show announcer David Frei laughs all these years later.

Frei, who announces just about any televised dog show, including Westminster and the upcoming National Dog Show Presented by Purina, was poked fun at in the movie. But arguably it was that exposure that led to a guest role on one of the hottest TV shows at that time, "Sex in the City."

"Being on the set with those ladies, how can I complain?" he says while laughing.

The movie certainly portrayed people who breed show dogs, and handle the dogs in dog shows as eccentric.

"Maybe there's some truth to that," he admits. "Watch the National Dog Show presented by Purina on Thanksgiving Day and decide for yourself," airing noon-2 p.m. (in all time zones) following the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC.

In fact, the movie "Best in Show" may be responsible for the decision to televise the hugely rated National Dog Show. Frei explains that just after "Best in Show" was released, the wife of the Vice President of NBC sports at that time brought the movie home. Frei says, "He loved it -- and NBC had been wanting to do something aside from football. It turned out to be the sport of dog shows."

When Frei isn't announcing dog shows, he's working for his nonprofit therapy dog organization, called Angel on a Leash.

"We create and administer therapy dog programs around the country. We see many miracles of the moment -- as our dogs do what they do just being dogs, and for a moment troubles are forgotten about. I can't tell you how many times a parent has said about a dog interacting with a child with cancer at the Ronald McDonald House, 'That's the first time she's smiled all week.' And that means we're helping families. As my friend Bill Sullivan, director of the Ronald McDonald House in New York City says: 'When a child is sick the parents are sick. By helping the kids to smile, we're helping the parents too."

In fact, some Angel of a Leash dogs also partake in dog shows. There are 199 breeds represented National Dog Show Presented by Purina. There will be seven new breeds participating this year (while referred to as new breeds, they're merely newly accepted by the American Kennel Club, the largest registry of pure bred dogs).

Here's a guide to the newbies:

Berger Picard: A sheepdog that originated in France. This 22-26 inch and 51 to 71pound dog has a shaggy, wiry topcoat with a short, dense undercoat to produce effective weatherproofing. While born with an independent streak, these intelligent dogs are certainly trainable.

Boerbel: Developed from Mastiff ancestors in South Africa in the 17th century as a guard dog, the 22-26-inch and 165 to 200 pound dog is the most agile of the mastiff-type breeds. The word Boerboel literally means "farm dog." Maintaining their guarding nature, socialization is a must -- and not suggested for first time dog owners.

Cirneco dell'Etna: This ancient breed has been present in Sicily for more than 2,500 years and shares a common origin with the Pharaoh Hound and other breeds throughout the Mediterranean basin. As a hunter of small mammals and fowl, the Cirneco is a hardy, compact 17 to 20 inch and 18 to 26 pound dog. This dog was bred for hunting under adverse conditions -- high heat, on rugged terrain formed by volcanic lava and with little food or water over extended periods of time. A breed many not suggested first time dog owners.

Lagotto Romagnolo: Known in Italy since the Middle Ages, this 16 to 19 inch and 24 to 35 pound dog was originally a waterfowl retrieving dog, and later trained to sniff out valuable truffles. Around the 1970s the breed began to disappear, and enthusiasts stepped in to save and restore it. Though energetic, this curly coated breed is known for its good natured personality.

Miniature Australian Shepherd (North American Shepherd): The perfect hybrid, a dog with the intelligence of the Australian Shepherd, which is more suited for big city life is about 13 to 18 inches and 15 to 30 pounds. Some suggest this bred down Australian Shepherd was originally also outcrossed with Shelties to get them down to size. Some individuals are very "talkative," making all sorts of cute vocalizations.

Spanish Water Dog: This wooly coated coat dates back to at least 18th century Spain with many varied jobs, including hunting off fishing boats to herding dog for farmers. Today, this working dog is also employed as a search and rescue dog.

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