Dog shows are weird. We sit around on Thanksgiving, half-comatose from turkey and stuffing, watching perfectly coiffed animals trot in circles while a man in a tuxedo pokes at their ribs. It's a tradition. But honestly, the 2025 competition felt different. When people ask who won the national dog show, they aren't just looking for a name; they’re looking for the story of how a "showgirl" named Soleil managed to steal the spotlight from the heavy hitters.
Soleil, a striking black Belgian Sheepdog, took home the Best in Show title at the 2025 National Dog Show.
She didn't just win. She dominated.
The Winning Moment: Why Soleil the Belgian Sheepdog Stunned the Judges
Most years, you see the usual suspects at the top. Poodles, Setters, maybe a flashy Terrier. But the Belgian Sheepdog isn't exactly a frequent flyer in the winner's circle of the National Dog Show. This year, Soleil (officially known as GCHG CH M'Eet Me In St Louis) changed that.
Judge Charlie Olvis didn't mince words. He described her as being in "drop-dead gorgeous condition." It wasn't just about the hair—though let’s be real, that black coat was glistening like a new car. It was the way she stood. She owned the ground.
What the Experts Saw
David Frei, the legendary analyst who has been doing this for over 50 years, pointed out that Soleil was "on." In the dog show world, that’s code for a dog that knows it's being watched and actually likes it. Her handler, Daniel Martin, mentioned that she feeds off the crowd. The more people cheered, the more she puffed out her chest.
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It’s kind of a vibe. You’ve seen it before—a dog that walks into a room and just acts like they own the place. That was Soleil.
The Competition She Had to Beat
To understand why this win was a big deal, you have to look at who she was standing next to. Every single dog in that final "Round of Seven" was ranked No. 1 in their respective breed nationally. This wasn't a "JV" lineup.
- Reserve Best in Show: George, an American Foxhound. Hounds are notoriously difficult to keep focused in a loud arena, but George was steady as a rock.
- The Toy Group: A Shih Tzu named Comet. Small, fluffy, and usually a judge favorite.
- The Non-Sporting Group: Neal, the Bichon Frise.
- The Working Group: Dino, the Giant Schnauzer. These dogs look like statues, and Dino was no exception.
- The Terrier Group: Baby Joe, a Miniature Schnauzer who later went on to make a huge splash at the AKC National Championship.
- The Sporting Group: Tyler, an English Setter.
Soleil beat them all. She wasn't the winningest dog in the ring that day—some of her competitors had over 100 Best in Show titles to their names—but on that specific afternoon in Philadelphia, she was perfect.
The "Other" National Dog Show: Clearing Up the Confusion
There is a massive amount of confusion every year about who won the national dog show because there are actually two major events that happen right at the end of the year.
If you were watching NBC on Thanksgiving, you saw Soleil the Belgian Sheepdog win the National Dog Show (the one hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia).
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However, if you saw a tiny, elegant dog with floor-length hair winning a $50,000 prize in December, you were watching the AKC National Championship. That winner was JJ, a Lhasa Apso.
Why the Distinction Matters
The Thanksgiving show (the National Dog Show) is the one that reaches the masses. It’s the one we watch while the rolls are in the oven. The AKC National Championship is the "richest" prize in the sport. JJ the Lhasa Apso, handled by Susan Giles, capped off an incredible year by winning that one.
JJ is a five-year-old Non-Sporting dog who, quite frankly, looks more like a silk rug than an animal when he’s in full coat. But underneath all that hair is a powerhouse of a dog that has won more than 25 Best in Shows.
What It Takes to Actually Win
Most people think it’s a beauty pageant. It’s not. It’s a "conformation" show. The judges aren't looking for the "prettiest" dog; they are looking for the dog that most closely matches the written blueprint of their breed.
Basically, if you were building a Belgian Sheepdog from scratch, you’d want it to look exactly like Soleil.
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Her movement has to be effortless. Her temperament has to be stable. She has to stand still while a stranger feels her muscles and checks her teeth. It’s a high-pressure environment that most dogs would hate. Soleil, however, is a "showgirl." She loves the adrenaline.
Real-World Insights for Dog Lovers
If you’re sitting at home with your Golden Retriever thinking, "Could my dog do that?" the answer is... probably not. These dogs are the elite athletes of the canine world. They have specialized diets, strict exercise regimens, and hours of grooming.
But there are things we can take away from Soleil’s win:
- Condition is Everything: The judges couldn't stop talking about her muscle tone and coat health. High-quality nutrition (most of these winners are on Purina Pro Plan) and regular activity show in a dog's eyes and fur.
- Confidence Matters: A happy dog is a beautiful dog. Soleil won because she was having fun.
- Breed Standards Exist for a Reason: Whether you have a purebred or a rescue, understanding what your dog was "bred to do" helps you keep them happy. Belgian Sheepdogs need a job. For Soleil, that job is being the best in the country.
How to Keep Up With the Winners
If you're looking to follow the next big events, keep an eye on the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Often, the dogs that win the National Dog Show in November or the AKC Championship in December use that momentum to head into Westminster—the "Super Bowl" of dog shows—in the spring.
The next step for most fans is checking the local AKC event calendar. Most of these champion dogs compete in smaller, local shows throughout the year before they hit the big televised stages. If you want to see a dog like Soleil or JJ in person, those local clusters are the best place to do it. You can search for upcoming shows in your area on the official American Kennel Club website.