The Miracle of Thanksgiving... Belgian Sheepdog 'Soleil' Wins 2025 National Dog Show

The 'Queen' with Shining Black Fur... Experts Say "A Victory of Overwhelming Showmanship and Charisma"

At the '2025 National Dog Show', a tradition of American Thanksgiving and a festival for dog lovers across the country, the Belgian Sheepdog with its attractive black fur rose to the top.

On the 27th (local time), at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania, the 6-year-old female Belgian Sheepdog 'Soleil' defeated 201 breeds and 1,994 competitors to win the prestigious 'Best in Show'.

◆ A Fierce Final That Resembled a 'King of Kings' Competition

This year's competition was more competitive than ever. The seven winning dogs that reached the final stage of 'Best in Show' were all top-tier individuals currently ranked number one in the nation.

Soleil's competitors were impressive. Legendary Shih Tzu 'Comet', with a record of 143 Best in Show wins, Bichon Frise 'Neil' with 42 wins, and the number one ranked Miniature Schnauzer 'Baby Joe' were among the formidable contenders.

However, the judges chose the elegant and dignified Soleil. Handler Daniel Martin expressed his overwhelming feelings in an interview right after the victory, saying, "Soleil is a true professional. She loves the energy of the huge crowd and the big arena. Today is a fantastic day for us."

◆ A Rebellion of Females in a Male-Dominated Ring

David Frei, NBC Sports' dog show expert commentator, evaluated the result as "a victory of showmanship."

Frei stated, "All the dogs that made it to the finals had near-perfect physical conditions. Ultimately, what determined the win was showmanship, charisma, and attitude," and added, "In a dog show world typically dominated by males, the performance and confidence shown by the female Soleil were more than enough to overwhelm the audience."

◆ The Belgian Sheepdog: 'A Dog with a Human Soul'

The winning dog Soleil belongs to the Belgian Sheepdog breed (known as 'Groenendael' outside the U.S.), which is described by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as having a "bright, alert, and serious temperament" and is a highly trainable herding dog.

The AKC describes this breed as "a sensitive soul that constantly craves interaction with humans and dislikes being left alone." Soleil showcased these breed characteristics perfectly while demonstrating perfect synergy with her handler in the ring.

Meanwhile, the National Dog Show, founded in 1879 and held annually since 1933, is one of the most prestigious dog shows in the United States. It has been broadcast as a Thanksgiving special on NBC since 2002, and this year, approximately 20 million viewers watched the birth of a new champion on TV.