which dog won the national dog show

Soleil the Belgian Sheepdog won Best in Show at the 2025 National Dog Show.**
This thrilling victory unfolded on November 27, 2025, during the Thanksgiving Day broadcast on NBC, captivating audiences with her poised performance in Philadelphia. Handled by Daniel Martin, Soleil first dominated the Herding Group before outshining top contenders from all seven groups to claim the $20,000 prize.

Event Highlights

The National Dog Show, a beloved annual tradition post-Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, drew thousands of purebred competitors judged by Charles Olvis. Soleil's win marked a historic first for her breed at this venue, with commentators praising her energy, precise movements, and crowd-loving demeanor—"She's on," as NBC's David Frei noted during the finale. Her stoic post-win interview added charm, as Martin highlighted her professionalism amid the adrenaline.

Top Finishers

Soleil edged out a stacked field, with clear runners-up and group winners standing out:

Placement| Dog Name & Breed| Group Won
---|---|---
Best in Show| Soleil (Belgian Sheepdog)| Herding
Reserve Best in Show| George (American Foxhound)| Hound
Non-Sporting Winner| Neal (Bichon Frise)| Non-Sporting
Working Winner| Dino (Giant Schnauzer)| Working
Terrier Winner| Baby Joe (Miniature Schnauzer)| Terrier
Toy Winner| Comet (Shih Tzu)| Toy
Sporting Winner| Tyler (English Setter)| Sporting

Behind the Victory

Handlers like Martin emphasized Soleil's natural flair for the arena, thriving under the lights and audience roar, which set her apart from 2024's pug champion, Vito. Trending discussions on forums like Reddit buzzed about past shows' quirky moments (e.g., Pekingese commentary), but 2025's result trended as a fresh upset, sparking debates on herding breeds' rising dominance. Soleil even appeared on TODAY the next day, cementing her star status.

Trending Buzz & Context

Online chatter framed this as a "surprise pick," with fans celebrating the underdog story—pun intended—against flashier hounds like George. As of early 2026, clips of her gaiting to victory still circulate widely, fueling speculation on her future in breed rankings. Last year's Sealyham Terrier win feels distant now.

TL;DR: Soleil, a poised Belgian Sheepdog handled by Daniel Martin, claimed 2025's National Dog Show crown on Nov. 27, beating George the Foxhound for reserve— a herding triumph trending as the holiday highlight.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.