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Pet Age Staff//November 28, 2025//
Pet Age Staff//November 28, 2025//
A regal and striking black Belgian Sheepdog captivated the judge and the capacity crowd, winning Best In Show at Philadelphia’s prestigious National Dog Show Presented by Purina Thanksgiving Day, with a total audience of some 20 million NBC television viewers looking on.
America’s top-ranked Belgian Sheepdog, Soleil won the Herding Group competition before advancing to the Best In Show round of seven, defeating a Miniature Schnauzer, a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise with stronger on-paper credentials.
Judge Charlie Olvis of Lake Wales, Florida, was effusive in discussing his choice.
“Today, that dog was ‘on.’ Didn’t put its foot down wrong. Didn’t miss a beat” offered Olvis, one of America’s most accomplished all-breed judges. “And it is in drop-dead gorgeous condition. I mean, gorgeous condition.”
The Miniature Schnauzer came in as the No. 1-ranked all-breed dog in the country. The Shih Tzu boasted 143 Best In Show titles and twice was a group winner at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The Bichon has 42 Best In Shows and a Westminster Group title.
“Soleil was just ‘on’ today,” handler Daniel Martin of Princeton (suburb of Raleigh), North Carolina, offered amidst the hoopla following the win. “I knew that this would be a fierce, intense competition. Soleil loves the energy and she feels it. That’s her magic. She’ll do whatever we ask of her. She’s a winner.”
Owned by Connie Jasinski of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, Pat Snow of Sapulpa, Oklahoma and Nancy Maye of Towanda, Kansas, Soleil now becomes one to watch in the upcoming major events, the AKC National Championship in December and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February. Soleil’s registered name is GCHS Prairiewind’s Sxongs of Summer at La Neige.
Reserve Best In Show (second place) went to an American Foxhound named George and handler Tristen Lawrence of Mechanicsville, Maryland. Winner of the Hound Group, George’s registered name is GCH CH Lost Heritage Time Bandit at Kiarry.
Coverage of the show and “Soleil’s” victorious moments were broadcast to a massive holiday audience estimated at some 20 million on NBC and Peacock Thanksgiving Day following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year marks the 24th edition of the holiday special, which has become a family viewing tradition since its inception in 2002. NBC airs an encore presentation of the two-hour special at 4 p.m. ET/PT on December 1 following the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge National Finals at Purina Farms competitive agility dog special.
At this level of competition, success in the ring is shaped by a combination of strong genetics, consistent and thoughtful training, and a foundation of high-quality nutrition.
“With Soleil, we see how quality nutrition, intentional training and the unique partnership between dogs and their handlers can truly shine,” said Dr. Callie Harris, Purina veterinarian. “We celebrate all the participants who brought such extraordinary talent to the ring.”
Purina Pro Plan remained the preferred nutrition for all seven Group Winners, including Best in Show winner Soleil, reinforcing a notable achievement: each of the last 15 Best in Show victors has been fueled by Pro Plan.
The following are the other 2025 National Dog Show Group Winners:
These dogs aren’t the only winners from the National Dog Show, Presented by Purina. Pet lovers at home have a chance to win a limited-edition Busy Bee dog toy that Purina created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the iconic film Best in Show, which was the inspiration for the development of the National Dog Show 24 years ago. For a chance to win one of 2,500 Busy Bee dog toys along with the Best in Show digital movie, fans can download and sign up for the MyPurina app now through December 1, 2025.
