And it also explains what Soleil, a black Belgian sheepdog, did with astonishing grace, perfection and poise to win the 2025 National Dog Show.
“I have an old-time dog show judge I always quote who said, ‘It’s a dog show, and you have to show!’ said National Dog Show co-host David Frei, who was working on his 51st broadcast of the major dog program as an expert analyst. “And that’s what Soleil did. She was looking around confidently. She owned the land on which she stood. She moved beautifully at the perfect pace presented by the handler, and that helps make it all happen.
“Not that there weren’t other dogs, but she, in particular, was on.”
Being “on” was mentioned several times as the reason Soleil was named Best in Show during the Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania.
“Today, that dog was there,” judge Charlie Olweus said of his choice for the overall winner of the 24th edition of the prestigious show. “He didn’t put his foot wrong. Didn’t miss a beat. And he’s in beautiful shape.”
“On” was also the descriptor used by Daniel Martin, Soleil’s handler of Princeton, North Carolina. “Soleil loves energy, and she feels it,” Martin said. “That’s her magic. She’ll do whatever we ask of her. She’s a champ.”
Soleil shines on National Dog Show stage
Daniel Martin, handler of Best in Show winner Soleil, discusses the Belgian Sheepdogs’ winning attitude and how he separated himself from the herd.
With the AKC National Championships and Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show coming up, there could be even bigger wins ahead for Soleil, who is co-owned by Connie Jasinski of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Pat Snow of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and Nancy Mays of Towanda, Kansas.
The Belgian Sheepdog defeated one of the most formidable collection of Group winners in National Dog Show history. Each dog that advanced to the seven-round finals was ranked No. 1 in its breed nationally.
“We always have good lineups, but it’s not always the case that they are the No. 1 dog of their breed,” Frei said. “Because sometimes not all the No. 1s in their breeds are entered into our show. And for that to happen with us and to have all of them make it to the finals, it’s unspoken that it makes for a good lineup.
“There you have seven Group winners who are great specimens of their breed. It takes something else to make the difference, and that’s usually something like showmanship, charisma, attitude or personality. I really like to see a woman do well in an area that is usually dominated by men. And that’s what makes her so worthy of that.”
Although Soleil was a Best in Show winner as a breed, which Frei said was “just beginning to reach its peak,” the Belgian Sheepdog’s accomplishments dwarfed those of some of its accomplished rivals.
Comet, a Shih Tzu who won the Toy Group, has 143 Best in Show titles and two Group wins at Westminster. Neil, a Bichon Frize who won the Non-Sporting Group, has 42 Best in Show awards and one Westminster Group win. Baby Joe, a Miniature Schnauzer who won the Terrier Group, is the top-ranked all-breed dog in the United States.
“There were three dogs that have been around longer and have more (wins) on their records than the Belgian Sheepdog, but Soleil seemed to be a part of whatever was going on,” said Frei, who co-hosted the broadcast with John O’Hurley. “It wasn’t inappropriate at all. This is with a dog that has 143 best in shows, and it looks just like home. It fits in perfectly.”
Frei, a successful breeder and handler who has also judged internationally, said that Soleil’s win would not necessarily be classified as a disappointment because the subjectivity of dog shows adds an attractive layer of unpredictability.
“(The best dogs) can’t win every day,” he said. “The game would be over if the same dog won every day. We leave it up to the person who is going to be different from day to day. I know that if I’m showing my dog, and today’s judge passed my dog, tomorrow’s judge may like my dog, so I’m going to show it well. So that’s what keeps the sport alive, is that judging subjectivity. I know that just because this judge knows my Just because the dog didn’t like it doesn’t mean my dog isn’t going to win under another judge.
“The 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey won’t be able to score 50 points every time like he did last night. It’s the same with dogs. They’re going to have good days and bad days. No dog is going to be perfect every time.”
Yet this time, Soleil performed virtually flawlessly, and her handler said that her attitude and movement made the difference.
“He’s a professional in all of this,” Martin told National Dog Show sideline and features reporter Mary Carrillo. “He loves doing it. He loves the crowd. He loves this big field.”
2025 National Dog Show Best in Show Results
• **Best in Show** Herding Group Winner: Soleil the Belgian Sheepdog
• *Best Reserve in Show* Hound Group Winner: George the American Foxhound
• Non-Sporting Group Winner: Neil the Bichon Frize
• Working Group Winner: Dino the Giant Schnauzer
• Terrier Group Winner: Baby Joe the Miniature Schnauzer
• Toy Group Winner: Comet Shih Tzu
• Sporting Group Winner: Tyler the English Setter
How many dogs and breeds were entered in this year’s National Dog Show and which breed had the highest number?
There were 1,994 competitors across 201 breeds, the largest entry list at the National Dog Show since 2019 and the second time (and second consecutive year) more than 200 breeds were evaluated in 13 rings at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. The Golden Retriever was on top with 46 entries.
Frei believes the event will draw more than 2,000 entries next year. “I think we’re trending in that direction,” he said. “We’ve gotten more every year since the pandemic years. And I think 200 is a good number of breeds. A lot of dog shows don’t have that.”
RELATED: Every Breed in the 2025 National Dog Show
For the 24th consecutive year, the National Dog Show is broadcast on NBC (and is also streamed on Peacock) following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“People watch us on TV and know that if they win they get a chance to be on television,” Frei said. “There are a lot of breeds that maybe don’t get into a lot of dog shows. We had 10 or 12 breeds that only had one dog entered. If that’s the case, you know unless you fall down in your judging, you’re going to be on TV because you’re the only person of your breed there. And because we’re a national show that 25 million people watch, competitors come from all over the country and the world. So I think it’s a tribute to having a great dog show. For our excellence.
,People know that every dog show person in the country is watching our dog show. Of the 25 million people watching, 99% of them have never been to a dog show and may never go to a dog show, but that other 1% of the 25 million is a lot of people, and in that percentage are a lot of dog show judges who are going to see a dog on TV and say, ‘Oh, that’s a beautiful dog, I’d like to have it. Will see. ,
Who won the Best in Show award at the National Dog Show last year?
In 2024, Toy Group winner Vito, a pug, beat 1,941 dogs representing 205 breeds. Verde, a Welsh Terrier, won Reserve Best in Show after winning the Terrier Group.
Pug Earns Best in Show at National Dog Show
Vito the Pug claimed Best in Show at the 2024 National Dog Show, besting 1,940 dogs to capture the coveted title.
Which dog breed has won the most Best in Show awards at the National Dog Show?
Since the National Dog Show’s inception in 2002, two breeds have won Best in Show twice, in two consecutive years. A Wire Fox Terrier placed first overall in 2011–12. In 2020-21, Scottish Deerhound Claire made history by winning Best in Show and the National Dog Show twice, becoming the first dog to do so.
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