Soleil the Belgian Sheepdog Wins Best in Show at National Dog Show

OAKS, Pennsylvania — Soleil, a black Belgian Sheepdog, won Best in Show at the 2025 National Dog Show held on Thanksgiving Day. Her handler, Daniel Martin, described her performance as ‘on,’ citing her confidence and poise as key to her victory.

Judge Charlie Olvis praised Soleil’s flawless execution, stating, ‘Didn’t put its foot down wrong. Didn’t miss a beat. And it is in drop-dead gorgeous condition.’ The competition included 1,994 dogs from 201 breeds, all competing for the prestigious title.

David Frei, co-host of the event, reflected on Soleil’s standout performance, saying, ‘She owned the ground she stood over. She moved beautifully at totally the right speed as presented by the handler.’ He also expressed appreciation for the remarkable competition, emphasizing that all finalists were No. 1 in their breeds.

Soleil, co-owned by Connie Jasinski, Pat Snow, and Nancy Maye, displayed a winning attitude that Martin attributes to her energetic spirit. ‘Soleil loves the energy,’ he noted. ‘That’s her magic. She’s a winner.’

The event, which has been held annually since 1933, showcases purebred dogs and is sanctioned by the American Kennel Club. Martin expressed his excitement about the growing interest in the National Dog Show, noting the high number of entries and the prestige of the event. ‘We’ve gotten more each year since the pandemic years,’ he said.

Frei also anticipates future growth, believing the show could draw more than 2,000 entries next year. ‘People see us on TV and know they’ve got a chance to be on television if they win,’ he added, highlighting the visibility and appeal of the National Dog Show to a vast audience.

As Soleil prepares for upcoming competitions, including the AKC National Championship and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the excitement surrounding her performance continues to grow. With her recent achievement, the Belgian Sheepdog aims to further solidify her status in the dog show world.