NBC's BEVERLY HILLS DOG SHOW to Air Easter Sunday

Combining the star power of both Hollywood and the canine world, NBC is set to air the third annual "Beverly Hills Dog Show Presented by Purina®" on Easter Sunday, April 21 (1-3 p.m. ET/10 a.m.-12 p.m. PT).

In celebration of man's best friend and with the glamour only Beverly Hills can provide, the star-studded competition will be co-hosted by award-winning TV personality, author and Broadway actor John O'Hurley and American Kennel Club-licensed judge and expert analyst David Frei. Emmy Award-winning journalist, author and TV personality Maria Menounos will welcome two and four-legged celebrity guests on the red carpet, NBC Sports correspondent Mary Carillo will report from inside the show ring and "American Ninja Warrior" host Akbar Gbajabiamila will provide behind-the-scenes access as digital contributor.

"This show brings the best of the best in the dog world into one competition. What better backdrop for such high-pedigree talent than the glitz and glam of Beverly Hills?" said Gbajabiamila. "I'm so excited to give exclusive access to viewers and which the whole family can enjoy."

This year's dog-loving celebrity guests will include Mario Lopez, Ashley Tisdale, Shaun White, Bo Derek, Parveen Kaur, MICHAELA McManus, J.R. Ramirez, Melissa Roxburgh and Triple Crown-winning jockeys Victor Espinoza and Mike Smith.

Hosted by the Kennel Club of Beverly Hills and produced by NBC Sports, "The BEVERLY HILLS DOG SHOW Presented by Purina®" is a new breed of dog show and a new holiday tradition for the whole family. Before more than 1,500 dogs representing 200 eligible breeds and varieties face off for the coveted Best in Show title, the canine competitors will mingle with celebrity guests and strut their stuff on the red carpet. For the main event, each group winner will walk the show's unique runway for the Best in Show judge to determine which dog has what it takes to be champion.

Watch and share a sneak peek featuring Gbajabiamila, who brought a special Ninja Warrior course to the Beverly Hills Dog Show. Indie, a record-breaking Belgian Malinois, takes on the challenge with owner Michon Mills: https://youtu.be/lpaKjMAj7Ic

Last year, King, a 7-year-old Wire FOX Terrier from Brazil, was crowned Best in Show. He later went on to win Best in Show at the prestigious 2019 WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW in New York. In 2017, Ripcord, a Doberman Pinscher from Houston, was awarded the Best in Show title.

To spread the excitement around this year's show and allow viewers and their pets to be a part of it, Purina and NBC are encouraging pet owners across the country to log onto Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to post photos or videos that show what makes their dog a star. For every original post submitted between now and April 21, using the hashtag #EveryDogIsAStar, dog lovers can show off their pet's star quality for a chance to be featured on NBC during "The BEVERLY HILLS DOG SHOW Presented by Purina" airing on April 21, Easter Sunday.

For more information on "The BEVERLY HILLS DOG SHOW Presented by Purina," visit https://www.nbcsports.com/beverlyhillsdogshow.

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