Belgian Sheepdog Soleil Stuns Judges to Claim 2025 National Dog Show Crown

Soleil, a pitch-black Belgian Sheepdog with the composure of a seasoned professional, emerged as Best in Show at the 2025 National Dog Show, beating nearly 2,000 dogs across 201 breeds and varieties. Her poised, almost effortless performance captivated judges, commentators, and millions of viewers tuning in after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Far from a simple victory lap on the blue carpet, her win was hailed as a defining moment for her breed and one of the standout performances in the show’s long history.

Meet the Belgian Sheepdog Who Stole the Show

Soleil, handled by North Carolina’s Daniel Martin, stood out not through flamboyance but through unwavering focus and calm authority. At six years old, she carried herself with a quiet confidence that set her apart in the bustling, high-pressure arena. Throughout the final judging, both experts and viewers noted the same thing: on this particular day, Soleil was unmistakably “on.”

Best in Show judge Charlie Olvis praised her for her flawless performance, saying she “didn’t put a foot down wrong” and appeared in “drop-dead gorgeous condition.” Analyst David Frei echoed that sentiment, noting how she “owned the ground she stood over,” moving with precision and measured power. Even as Martin displayed the nerves of the moment, Soleil never wavered, holding steady with the poise of a dog seemingly born for the spotlight.

Soleil’s win made waves not only because of her performance but because of the exceptionally strong field she outshone. All seven finalists entered the ring as No. 1 dogs in their respective breeds, creating one of the deepest and most competitive Best in Show matchups in National Dog Show history.

Among them were seasoned stars with staggering résumés. Comet the Shih Tzu boasted 143 Best in Show titles and two Westminster Group wins. Neal the Bichon Frise had another 42 Best in Show victories to his name.

Baby Joe the Miniature Schnauzer and Dino the Giant Schnauzer had long been dominant forces in their groups. Yet Soleil, with far fewer miles on the circuit, blended seamlessly into the lineup — and ultimately outshone every one of them when it mattered most.

What Being “On” Really Means

When both Martin and judge Olvis described Soleil as “on,” it was more than a throwaway phrase. In the dog-show world, a dog being “on” signals a rare alignment of mental sharpness, physical condition, and ring presence. Soleil’s expression, movement, and structure all hit the mark at just the right moment. She remained tuned to her handler despite the roar of the crowd, kept her outline consistent from every angle, and moved at the perfect speed to showcase the best of her breed.

Frei noted the significance of a female dog dominating the ring in a sport often headlined by powerhouse males. Soleil’s charisma and showmanship set her apart, proving that precision and presence can trump even the most decorated competitors.

A Win That Will Be Remembered

With 1,994 entries across 201 breeds, this year’s National Dog Show delivered one of its biggest and most diverse gatherings since 2019. Held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and broadcast nationwide on NBC and Peacock, the show continues a Thanksgiving tradition that regularly draws around 20 to 25 million viewers.

For exhibitors, a win on this stage is life-changing. While the prize money — roughly $2,000 and sponsor gifts — is modest, the prestige is unmatched. A National Dog Show victory instantly elevates a dog’s visibility, breeding reputation, and future invitations. For Soleil, the recognition is a major career milestone and a launchpad for future competition.

Soleil’s triumph carries particular weight because Belgian Sheepdogs have rarely taken center stage in major televised finals. Reports across the dog-show world noted she is likely the first of her breed to ever win Best in Show at the National Dog Show. For a breed beloved in herding, obedience, and work-focused sports — but not always a fixture in glamour-driven conformation finales — the win marks a watershed moment.

The American Kennel Club describes Belgian Sheepdogs as bright, serious-minded, and deeply bonded to their people. Watching Soleil in the ring, that temperament was unmistakable: steady, thoughtful, and ready to work, even in the face of roaring Thanksgiving-day crowds.

A Rising Star, Not a Lifelong Campaigner

Perhaps most surprising is how new Soleil is to top-level national competition. Her partnership with Daniel Martin only began in late 2024 at the AKC National Championship. In just over a year together, she collected around seven Best in Show wins before stepping into the National Dog Show spotlight.

To make the final here, she had to first win her breed, then emerge victorious from a 279-dog Herding Group, and finally outshine six other elite group winners. When compared with finalists whose career wins number into the dozens or even triple digits, Soleil’s rapid rise makes her victory all the more extraordinary.

Frei cautioned against viewing Soleil’s win as an upset, emphasizing that conformation judging always involves interpretation. Breed standards offer guidelines, but judges ultimately prioritize different traits: movement, outline, attitude, balance, or presence. Even the best dogs do not win every day — and that unpredictability is part of the sport’s enduring appeal.

This year, everything aligned for Soleil. The judge’s eye, the arena environment, the energy of the crowd, and Martin’s measured handling all merged to create a performance that was as clean as it was compelling.

Where Soleil Fits into a Long Thanksgiving Tradition

The National Dog Show, founded in 1879 and televised since 2002, has become as much a part of Thanksgiving as turkey and pie. Hosted by John O’Hurley, David Frei, and Mary Carillo, it blends entertainment and expertise, inviting millions of families into the world of elite dog sport.

Last year’s champion was Vito the Pug, who topped a formidable field of 1,941 entries. Only two breeds have ever repeated as winners. Now Soleil steps into this lineage as the face of the 2025 show — and industry insiders expect she will soon feature prominently at the upcoming AKC National Championship and Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.