On Thanksgiving Day, while millions of Americans gathered around their televisions after the turkey feast, a striking black Belgian Sheepdog named Soleil was making history in Philadelphia. The six-year-old canine, guided by her handler Daniel Martin from Raleigh, North Carolina, claimed the coveted Best in Show title at the 2025 National Dog Show, outshining more than 1,900 competitors and dazzling an audience estimated at 20 million viewers nationwide, according to Purina and NBC.
The National Dog Show, hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and broadcast on NBC every Thanksgiving since 2002, has become a beloved holiday tradition. This year’s event, held November 15-16 at the Expo Center near Philadelphia and aired on November 27, featured a parade of purebred excellence—yet it was Soleil, representing the Herding Group, who stole the spotlight. Her calm, almost regal demeanor stood out even amid the energetic chaos of the ring, and her performance left both judges and the crowd in awe.
Daniel Martin, Soleil’s handler, described the moment with a mixture of relief and pride. “She’s the professional,” Martin told NPR. “She loves the crowd and the big arena. Fantastic day.” Martin’s nerves had been high as they waited for the second round, but as soon as Soleil stepped onto the blue carpet, her enthusiasm was contagious. “I could see how happy she got,” Martin recalled to The News & Observer. “And then my nerves and my anxiety just went away, because then I just floated around the ring with her.”
Soleil’s journey to the top was anything but ordinary. Belgian Sheepdogs are rarely seen in the winner’s circle at major competitions, making her victory a true upset. To clinch the title, Soleil had to best some of the country’s most accomplished show dogs, including George the American Foxhound (who took Reserve Best in Show), Tyler the English Setter, Neal the Bichon Frisé, Dino the Giant Schnauzer, Comet the Shih Tzu, and Baby Joe the Miniature Schnauzer. These finalists represented the best from the Hound, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Working, Toy, and Terrier Groups, respectively. Among them was a shih tzu with an astonishing 143 Best in Show titles and two Westminster group wins, a bichon with 42 Best in Shows and a Westminster group title, and a miniature schnauzer ranked No. 1 in the country.
Despite her relatively short show career—just over a year—Soleil has already racked up seven Best in Show awards. Her first outing with Martin was at the American Kennel Club National Championship in Orlando, Florida, in December 2024. It was clear from the start that Soleil had what Martin described as a “showboat attitude.” Even though a full black dog might not always stand out in the ring, Soleil’s charisma and presence made her impossible to overlook. “We just connected instantly,” Martin said. “We just created this bond over the past year that just kind of grew and grew. And now, it’s almost like I can look at her, and she knows what I’m thinking.”
That bond was evident to everyone watching. National Dog Show co-host and analyst David Frei praised both Soleil and Martin, noting, “The first thing you notice about Soleil is her beautiful black coat.” After the show, Frei commented on how well-conditioned Soleil was and added, “Daniel’s one of our great young handlers, has a great dog show family. And the dog was beautiful.”
Judge Charles Olvis, who selected Soleil for the top honor, was effusive in his praise. “Today, that dog was ‘on,’” Olvis said. “Didn’t put its foot down wrong. Didn’t miss a beat. And it is in drop-dead gorgeous condition. I mean, gorgeous condition.”
Behind the scenes, Soleil’s story is just as compelling. She is owned by a trio of dog lovers: Connie Jasinski of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; Pat Snow of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; and Nancy Maye of Towanda, Kansas. When Martin and his wife, Amanda Miller—both seasoned trainers—were first approached about taking on Soleil, they admitted they had little experience with Belgian Sheepdogs. But Soleil quickly chose Martin as her favorite, and within two hours of meeting, she became his “little shadow.” The synergy between dog and handler has only grown, with Martin saying, “I can feel her energy and her intenseness, and then we kind of go off that. We play off each other’s feel too. So it’s kind of a fun game. At times.”
Soleil’s path to Best in Show was a rigorous one. She first conquered her own breed, beating three other Belgian Sheepdogs, then triumphed over 279 other dogs in the Herding Group. After that, she faced the final gauntlet—the seven group winners. For her efforts, Soleil took home $2,000, a Purina Pro Plan embroidered chair, a YETI dog bowl, and, perhaps most importantly, the bragging rights that come with being named the best of the best.
The American Kennel Club describes the Belgian Sheepdog as “bright, watchful and serious-minded,” emphasizing their high trainability and deep need for human companionship. With an average lifespan of 10 to 14 years, these sensitive souls are happiest when they’re part of a family—a description that fits Soleil to a T. Her win is not just a personal triumph but a milestone for the breed, which rarely sees such high-profile victories.
The National Dog Show itself is steeped in tradition. Founded in 1879 and held annually since 1933, it has grown into one of the most prestigious dog shows in the United States. Its broadcast debut in 2002 brought the event into living rooms across the country, and it now rivals the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as a holiday staple. Each year, the show features not only the main competition but also a variety of side events, including a barking contest, that add to the festive spirit.
Last year’s Best in Show winner, Vito the pug, set a high bar, but Soleil’s victory has already sparked excitement about her future prospects. With her impressive record and her still-young career, trainers and analysts alike expect to see her making headlines again. As David Frei put it, Soleil is now “one to watch at future shows—and she won’t just be impressive for her breed.”
For Daniel Martin, Soleil, and their team of owners, the 2025 National Dog Show will be a memory for the ages. As the applause fades and the spotlight moves on, Soleil’s achievement stands as a testament to the power of connection, preparation, and a little bit of showbiz magic.
