Soleil, a pitch-black, six-year-old Belgian Sheepdog, won Best in Show at the 2025 National Dog Show, beating more than 1,900 dogs in this year’s competition. Her handler, Daniel Martin of Princeton, North Carolina, accepted the award as the calm, well-mannered Soleil took in the activity around her.
“She’s the professional,” Martin said. “She loves the crowd and the big arena. Fantastic day.” He added, “Soleil was just ‘on’ today. I knew that this would be a fierce, intense competition. Soleil loves the energy and she feels it. That’s her magic.”
Soleil won Best in the Herding Group before defeating six other finalists from the Working, Non-Sporting, Sporting, Terrier, Toy and Hound groups. George, an American Foxhound from the Hound Group, was Reserve Best in Show.
Judge Charlie Olvis praised Soleil: “on. Didn’t put its foot down wrong. Didn’t miss a beat. And it is in drop-dead gorgeous condition.”
The American Kennel Club describes the Belgian Sheepdog as highly trainable herders who are “bright, watchful and serious-minded” and who “crave human companionship and abhor neglect.” Their average lifespan is 10 to 14 years.
The National Dog Show was founded in 1879, has been held annually since 1933, and televised since 2002. Presented by Purina, it has become a Thanksgiving tradition, drawing an estimated 20 million viewers. Additional competitions are held behind the scenes, including a barking contest.