Singing Dog Contest on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, 1987 

Love the way Johnny is so kind to the dog owners--doesn't make fun of them, doesn't go for the obvious cheap joke. And he was kind to the dogs, too. He was a class act.

I LOVE THE BASSETT HOUND! The expression on his face is priceless! That's how I feel in many social situations!😄

How we all miss Johnny. He is a national treasure! Those were the days!

I love good old clean humor! Johnny Carson was a class act

I was 19 in the hospital recovering from a horrible life altering illness at Mayo in Minnesota. I saw this when it aired. Im in tears

I like how all the poochies got a prize. It was a lot of stress and stage fright for the Bassett. They were all adorable.

Rest In Peace Johnny. A Household Name for all time!

That was such fun to watch. Columbo (the last dog) had me laughing out loud. He was so adorable and entranced by the crowd. I still watch these shows in the evening on tv. Johnny was the greatest.

Johnny's facial expressions were hysterical.

They should have formed a group. RIP to all those wonderful dogs!

It’s 2024.. I miss the innocence and wholesomeness of shows like this! I was personally impressed with Rubin! But I have to say, they’re all incredibly talented and precious! Columbo is the most adorable pup with the best name ever! May all these beautiful pups be playing peacefully and singing over the rainbow bridge! THEY WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER! 🐾🐾💙🩷

32 long years ago. Those dogs, and so many other pets from that time are long gone. But I'm sure they're all running around and having fun in pet heaven! 💕

We were so lucky 🍀 to have Johnny! I loved the man and miss him dearly...

Awwwww 6 beautiful doggies. I know they're all in doggy heaven now.

When TV had a heart and soul. What a fun night. It felt like yesterday.

I remember it as if it was yesterday -- although it was 32 years ago. I guess you could call it my five minutes of fame. I am the contestant whose sheltie, Aladdin, won the coveted golden fire hydrant (which still sits on a bookshelf in my home office). For those of you who weighed in on the possibility that dogs howl to certain sounds because it hurts their ears, I can tell you with assurance that was not the case with Laddie. I got him as an eight week old puppy from a backyard breeder, and when he was just a few months old I discovered his fondness for the harmonica quite by accident. Whenever I pulled it out to play a tune, he would come running to me, sit up straight as an arrow, point his nose in the air and howl. Even if I played the harmonica so softly you could barely hear it -- so softly it couldn't possibly hurt his ears -- he would sing. Nothing deterred him, and I never trained him in this behavior. He LOVED that harmonica, and singing along with it just came naturally to him. So, of course, when I heard about auditions for the Tonight Show's singing dog contest in Burbank, (within an hour's drive of my home), I figured Laddie was a shoe-in. They auditioned several hundred dogs, but when I got the callback informing me that we were one of the six finalists, I can't say I was surprised. The show was taped earlier in the day on New Year's Eve, 1987 for airing that night. So I guess you could say the episode dates back to 1987 or 1988 -- take your pick. As for my memories of the experience -- I recall that Laddie and I shared a dressing room with Kona and her owner, and that one of the Smother's Brothers -- who were guests on the show that night -- dropped by to say "hello." I remember thinking, when we were actually onstage with Johnny, that he was a lot shorter than I realized. And I remember hoping that he wouldn't engage me in conversation because I was getting over a bad cold and had terrible laryngitis. I chose to play "Auld Lang Syne" since it was New Year's Eve, but afterwards wished I'd chosen a longer and more upbeat tune because it was just over much too quickly, and a toe-tapping tune would have been funnier (like that snazzy piano tune that Columbo's owner played). And I remember that while we, the contestants, were all standing onstage with our dogs waiting for the applause meter to determine the winner, that "washout" Columbo kept trying to sniff Laddie's butt, and Laddie kept trying to duck behind me to get away from him. Then, before we knew it, they were calling the winner -- and Laddie and I were holding the golden fire hydrant and beaming from ear to ear. I'm sure it helped that I had family and friends in the audience cheering us on. But I also think Laddie performed like the Blue Ribbon champion he always was, and deserved to win. In fact, when my friends and family gathered at my house that night to celebrate New Year's Eve and to watch "The Tonight Show," in real time, we all had a good laugh when Laddie -- who was, of course, the guest of honor -- stood in front of the TV and began to sing along with himself as soon as he heard the harmonica on the TV. Sadly, my sweet Laddie died at the rather young age of nine. He collapsed in the hills chasing a rabbit on a Memorial Day weekend, and though my husband and I rushed him to the Animal Hospital, he died in my arms in the car. Those of you who are dog lovers know that losing a dog is like losing a beloved member of your family. It was one of the saddest days of my life. But I'm happy that he lives on through this RU-vid video. And I'd like to think that he is in doggie heaven, still singing his little heart out.

I grew up watching Johnny . Life was much better back then .

I miss watching this with my mom when I was supposed to be sleeping ❤

How I miss you Johnny Carson! You never made the show about you, but about your guests, and you had the utmost tact, and grace. What a decent and classy man you were. Your sense of timing, diplomacy, finesse, and terribly funny skits left me laughing uncontrollably with tears running down. The best there was, and ever will be.

I miss You and your wonderful shows Johnny Carson You were the best and always will be THE BEST late night HOST... You set the standard for late night talk shows... A CLASS ACT ALWAYS Greatly Missed and Well Loved by ALL ...

I watched Johnny Carson every night with my mother when I was a teenager and when the show was over that was when we drove to pick my father up from work.Thank you Johnny for bringing me and my mother so close.

The Bassett hound had me laughing out loud.

This was so funny, and the dogs were very well-behaved, when they were all together at the end, none of them fought. I think the last contestant, the Basset hound, was overwhelmed by the audience. I love dogs. Mr Johnny Carson, Rest in Peace. Amen.

Oh my word....classic Carson when he smiled at the piano player when the dog wouldn't sing....cracked me up. I miss the good old days Carson was the top .....

Carson set the standard and the bar raised high for late night talk shows. Sadly, none after have even came close to even touching that bar. Thanks for the decades of great memories Mr Carson. ❤️💜💙😀RIP Johnny 🙏 (10/23/1925-1/23/2005)

Great memories of our great generation. I am so blessed that I was born in 1973! I know good the good TV shows of our past and the horrible TV shows (of today).

There will never be another one like Johnny Carson’s..

Love and miss Johnny Carson 💜❤️

Johny Carson was a national treasure... and greatly missed.

Johnny Carson, one the treasures the world has had to say goodbye to. He will never be replaced.

There is no late-night host who can EVER replace or compare to Johnny Carson.

Man...Johnny was an absolute MASTER of reacting to his environment in a funny way..even when something goes horribly wrong or not as planned, you can always just look at his reaction and facial expressions and have an awesome time...he's just so charming

My aunt Virginia had a singing doxie who keep in tune on the Tennessee waltz. So funny I nearly burst my insides trying not to distract the dog.

Gracious master of the spontaneous and unscripted, Carson could make comedy out of anything.

Now the Dogs are the Hosts of late night Tv !! Johnny had Class !!

As I watch this in April 2020, my first shock is: "In 1988, they still shook hands!"

Back when the late shows were good wholesome entertainment ! ! !

Clean, real humor....where did it go? I loved Johnny Carson!

Johnny Carson had the ablity to make people be at ease when things didn't go as planned. That's what made he great.

My dachshund dog loved to sing along with me. He lived 20 years.

I grew up with Johnny Carson all I can say he was funny and full of class I really hate living in these times. I'm building a time machine and traveling back to the greatest generation in our history ALL ABOARD....... And the best TV Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett, Streets of San Francisco, Manix, Culumbo, this list goes on

We are blessed to have the re-runs, called, "The Johnny Carson Show," here in Allentown, Pa. 12/16/18

Reubens is warming his face up and singing VERRRRY softly.

I always told my friend's when they wanted to stay out late, " I can't stay. I'm going home, and spend the evening with Johnny ". For the longest time, they thought I had a boyfriend. But, Mr. Carson was it for me!!

The best late night Show ever!!!!!!

Shelties are beautiful, intelligent and many are great singers too.

Johnny Carson was such a gracious host!

"and this washout here"... gotta love Johnny's gentle honesty

In my hometown, more than thirty years ago, there was a guy who played blues harp really well. He had a big black Newfoundland named Perry which howled along improvised Blues harmonies.

I had a singing dog when i was a kid. His name was Skippy. We'd set him on the piano bench and i would play and he would howl away. He'd let us do anything with him including dressing him up as a baby and rolling him around in a doll's baby stroller. What a great kid's dog he was. Rip Skippy!

When I was about 8, my parents bought me a trumpet. I got pretty good at it. We had a nice mixed-breed dog named Ginger. I guess my playing hurt his ears, because he would howl when I played. One day my grandfather stopped by, and, as was her custom, my Mom asked me to play a tune for him. My granddad sat through my rendition of “America the Beautiful,” and my Mom asked Grandpa what he thought. Grandpa turned to me and said, “Do you know a tune that Ginger DOESN’T know?”

King of late night there is no other!!!

Too funny. I just love watching the old shows. So much goofy fun.

Better than many pop singers nowadays

Adorable dogs that sadly are all gone.

I know an opera singer who says, "Voice lessons!" And her dogs start to howl. They're totally into it.

All the dogs are thinking "O, God, I wish I were someplace else."

Ahh I'm no good at this. They were all great and they all win. Love the lot of them!

I love all of those dogs they all should get first place because they all did soooo good give them a hug and kiss from Samantha and tell them they're so good thank you

There will never be another like Johnny Carson

oh Johnny you're so missed till this day ,2019

I had a cocker spaniel who used to sing law & order theme song - ending wolf howl hilarious!

Loved the last entry, he's thinking, F... Off. You Americans are off the Wall. 😆😅🤣😂. Love from UK 🇬🇧❤.

That Sheltie was adorable

So adorable. Especially love the sheltie. Reminds me of one I lost due to heart attack, aged 13 years. Love and miss my lucas Eugene. I have his ashes and he will be buried with me.

SHELTIES!!! Best dog on the planet... I should know, I have a 15 yr. old named KODIAK, go shelties!!

Columbo dog is the same kind of dog Columbo had on his show. How appropriate. I love all animals, especially dogs. How I miss the "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson! XO

They are all in Doggy Heaven, I bet they're with Johnny Carson running around!!😄😄😄😄😄

I love Aladdin's singing. Such passion and conviction.

I loved Johnny, watched him every night until he left the show. Very funny character.

Miss Johnny, that's when late show was great!

Heeeeeeeres Johnny . 1971to 1972 a senior in high school was I. Can honestly remember watching these episodes . Whatta showman and great since of humor. This is why we need live TV again

I'LL NEVER EVER FORGET THE NIGHT WHEN I WAS LIVING IN HOLLYWOOD , I GOT TICKETS TO SEE JOHNNY CARSON ON THE TONIGHT SHOW . IT WAS BACK IN 1979 ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT . MYSELF AND A GAL I MET AT THE APARTMENT COMPLEX IN BURBANK CA WHERE I LIVED WHO WAS THE MANAGER AND ID HOOKED UP WITH HER THE FIRST WEEK I MOVED IN THERE , SHE AND I HAD TO BE DOWN AT THE STUDIO AT 4 AM THEN STAND IN LINE TO GET THE FREE TICKETS SINCE THE SHOW WAS TAPED EARLIER THEN SHOWN LATER OR HOWEVER THE HELL THEY DID IT BACK IN THE LATE 70'S ! ACTOR JAMES WOODS WAS ONE OF THE GUESTS THEN JOHNNY'S INTRODUCED BY ED MCMAN WHO STOOD RIGHT NEXT TO ME SO CLOSE I COULD'VE TOUCHED HIM AND AFTER ED BELLOWS < HERES JOHNNY > , HE BEGAN HIS MONOLOGUE , WHICH WASN'T GOING OVER VERY WELL AT ALL AND HE JUST KEPT RIDDLING OFF ONE FAILED JOKE AFTER ANOTHER , BUT I GOT ONE OF THEM AND UNDERSTOOD IT COMPLETELY , SO I LET OUT A ROAR OF LAUGHTER THAT COULD'VE BEEN HEARD ALL OVER HOLLYWOOD , BUT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE ENTIRE AUDIENCE THAT WAS LAUGHING AND I MEAN UNCONTROLLABLY !! I'M SITTING RIGHT IN THE FRONT ROW NO LESS THAN 15 FEET FROM JOHNNYS DESK AND HE STIFFENED UP , LOOKED RIGHT AT ME AND SAID , AND I QUOTE , < WELL AT LEAST THAT GUY GOT IT > , AND FINALLY , THAT BROUGHT THE MUCH NEEDED LAUGHTER FROM THE WHOLE AUDIENCE !! SO THAT WAS MY FIRST AND ONLY TIME AS A GUEST ON THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING NONE OTHER THAN THE < ONLY KING OF LATE NIGHT > , JOHNY CARSON !!!!!!! THE END !!!!!!!!!

That Bassett Hound is killing me, lol!

My favorite Carson character was The Great Carnac. Loved Ed’s hermetically sealed mayonnaise jar kept out on the porch since noon that day😂

terrific. someone should bring this back. i'm sure dogs still sing. gonna try it with my 2 dogs (a bichon fries and a min-pin Today after their naps.

It would be cruel to not let all of them win.

I liked the dog that didn't need a sharp noise to make him howl, the one that howled when people applauded.

Man I miss Johnny. I watched him faithfull from age 15 to well into my 30's.

Johnny Carson is good hearted person. How I miss him so.

We used to enjoy simple fun in those days.....

The dogs sing better than today’s “pop“ singers.

And so before youtube, we had the Great Carsoni and his animal acts!

What a show. I miss him so much! Those that followed cannot hold a candle to him.

yeah, but Johnny starts the show with "Happy 1988". Miss him.

The sheltie kicked some major ass.

I remember one of Johnny's shows from just about 1969 or 1970 when he featured a lady who brought on a talking dog. It was some kind of mid-sized breed and when the lady said "I love my mama", the dog would wag its tail and mimmick her. But it came out more like "Rai Ruv Rai Rara" It would do it over and over again. I've never been able to find that episode again.

WHAT a great Show to have and who better to HOST BUT the Best Presenter/Comedian/Gentleman, The Icon Johnny Carson in his superb inimitable style! The Dogs were great even if some not Stage happy!! Wish I had been alive to watch all his Shows!! Never to be replaced!!!

When Johnny died, the mold was broken. His Tonight Show was funny

Shetland Sheepdogs are the cutest and smartest breed.

I am getting such a big kick out of all that 80’s finery!

miss you Johnny best late nite show ever

** I was gleefully astounded: there was NOT EVEN ONE Trump joke! Johnny Carson forever!

It was an amazing time the concerns of the day ended exactly at 11:30 moment you heard his music that was it for the day. He put America to sleep that was very true.

OMG I use to have those kind of shoes & I had a dress to match... black & white... dang!!! hahaha time flies. Haven't seen my kinda dog yet. My dog happens to howl with his bark & he's a black lab about two years or a bit more... awwww that collie is sweet!!! Woo Hoo Hurray for Johnny Carson putting on such a great show... he's so funny!!!

When I watch these clips it feels like yesterday...I sure miss this.

haha. amazing singers.. love em all :)

The lady in white had a pretty singing voice.

The caption states 1987, but Johnny Carson clearly states 1988, and says he was starting out the new year, 1988, with a dog singing contest. He then wishes everyone a Happy New Year at the end of the show. So technically, this show took place in 1988.

Mona may have been #3, but she sure did win in my books for the cutest pup.