The national dog show 2025 dogs event delivered one of the most memorable Thanksgiving broadcasts in recent years, thanks to an impressive lineup of competitors and a standout Best in Show winner: Soleil, a polished and powerful Belgian Sheepdog who earned national recognition with a performance that captured both the judges’ attention and the audience’s admiration. From the early rounds to the final spotlight moment, the show highlighted exceptional conformation, expert handling, and the rich tradition that has made this annual event a holiday favorite for millions across the United States.
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A Thanksgiving Tradition Returns to TV
Every year, households across the country turn on the television after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to watch the National Dog Show, a program that has secured its place as one of America’s most recognizable holiday broadcasts. Families preparing meals, gathering for reunions, or relaxing during the festivities often keep the show playing in the background, enjoying the mix of competition, commentary, and canine charm.
The 2025 edition continued that tradition with an event that felt both familiar and full of fresh energy. With the competition taking place inside the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, a large field of exhibitors, handlers, and spectators filled the venue to witness a wide cross-section of breeds competing for top honors.
A Diverse Field of Competitors
More than 1,900 dogs and over 200 recognized breeds and varieties participated this year. That scale makes the National Dog Show one of the largest and most diverse conformation events in the country, giving viewers a rare chance to see everything from the smallest toy breeds to the most powerful working dogs in one streamlined broadcast.
Each breed represents decades—sometimes centuries—of development, shaped by specific functions such as herding, guarding, hunting, companionship, or sporting work. The show presents an opportunity to recognize those traits, allowing viewers to understand the purpose behind each dog’s appearance, gait, and temperament.
Soleil’s Confident Rise to Best in Show
Soleil emerged early as a strong contender. Even in initial breed-level judging, she displayed qualities expected of the Belgian Sheepdog standard: elegance, power, and balanced movement. Her stride appeared effortless, and her responsiveness to her handler made her stand out among a competitive Herding Group.
After successfully earning the top spot within her group, she advanced to the Best in Show ring. The final round featured elite representatives of their respective groups, all demonstrating conditioning, temperament, structure, and performance worthy of national attention. Judges carefully reviewed each competitor, evaluating posture, movement, proportion, expression, and overall impression according to the written standards of their breeds.
Soleil’s commanding presence and smooth gait ultimately secured her the event’s highest honor.
The Role of the Handler
Behind every successful show dog is a handler who dedicates countless hours to conditioning, training, grooming, and maintaining calm, positive rapport in the ring. Soleil’s handler guided her with precision, highlighting her strengths and ensuring that judges could clearly observe her structure and motion.
Handlers often spend years working with their dogs, mastering subtle cues and perfecting the dog’s ring performance. Their work is a major part of what audiences see—the polished showmanship, steady control, and perfectly timed movement all contribute to a dog’s eligibility for the top tier of competition.
Meet the Reserve Best in Show
The Reserve Best in Show honor went to George, an American Foxhound who impressed with his smooth movement and classic hound features. With a body built for endurance and an alert, focused demeanor, he represented his breed exceptionally well.
George’s performance highlighted the important role that hound breeds continue to play in American dog culture. Known for their scenting abilities and athleticism, American Foxhounds are not frequent finalists in televised competitions, which made his placement even more noteworthy for fans watching at home.
Spotlight on Other Group Winners
The show also recognized several winners across the seven primary groups:
- Sporting Group: Energetic breeds known for their outdoor skills and cooperative temperaments.
- Working Group: Dogs bred for jobs like guarding, hauling, or search-and-rescue roles.
- Terrier Group: Spirited, determined breeds with distinctive personalities and poses.
- Toy Group: Small companions with expressive presence and lively movements.
- Hound Group: Scent and sight hunters recognized for graceful gaits and sharp instincts.
- Non-Sporting Group: A diverse category that includes unique body styles and temperaments.
- Herding Group: Breeds known for intelligence, coordination, and instinctive control.
The finalists from each category delivered memorable moments, showcasing the variety that makes the competition appealing to a national audience.
A New Breed Joins the Lineup
One of the special highlights of the 2025 competition was the inclusion of the Danish-Swedish Farmdog, a newly recognized breed in the American Kennel Club. This marked its first appearance at the National Dog Show, giving viewers a chance to learn about a versatile, compact working dog with a friendly personality.
Debuts like this broaden the event’s appeal and help educate viewers about lesser-known breeds that deserve time in the spotlight.
What Happens Behind the Scenes
While the televised broadcast features a condensed version of the event, the live show spans several hours and includes much more activity:
- Grooming stations: Handlers carefully bathe, brush, trim, and prepare their dogs before stepping into the ring.
- Practice rings: Dogs rehearse gaiting patterns and receive last-minute warm-ups.
- Vendor booths: Visitors browse treats, accessories, equipment, grooming tools, and breed-education materials.
- Meet-and-greet areas: Attendees speak with breeders to learn about temperament, health, and care requirements.
- Exhibitions and demonstrations: Performance dogs show agility, obedience, and therapy work.
These components form the heart of the dog-show community, supporting both newcomers and seasoned participants in their love for the sport.
Understanding How Judging Works
Judging in the National Dog Show is based on conformation standards. These standards describe the ideal physical and behavioral characteristics of each breed, including:
- Height and weight range
- Coat texture and color
- Body proportions
- Gait and movement
- Facial expression
- Temperament
- Overall structure and purpose
Judges compare each dog to its breed’s ideal rather than directly against other dogs. This means that a smaller breed is evaluated by how well it represents its own standard, not whether its presence is more striking than a larger competitor.
After breed-level judging, winners move on to groups, and group winners advance to the final Best in Show ring. It is a progression based entirely on precision, preparation, and presentation.
The Energy Inside the Arena
The atmosphere at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center was lively throughout the event. Spectators filled the aisles with excitement, cheering for their favorite breeds and snapping photos of the grooming preparations and ring performances. Many visitors attend with their families, using the opportunity to help children learn about different breeds and responsible pet care.
Vendors and exhibitors also help create an engaging experience. Booths offered products ranging from handmade collars to specialty food, while organizations promoted responsible breeding practices, canine health research, and animal-welfare initiatives.
Why Soleil’s Win Resonated with Viewers
Soleil’s victory struck a chord with both longtime dog-show watchers and casual viewers. Belgian Sheepdogs, while admired within the Herding community, are not as frequently seen on national television. Their unique combination of agility, intelligence, and elegant stature makes them compelling to watch, and Soleil’s high-level performance highlighted the breed’s strengths.
Her win may inspire future interest among families considering a Herding breed, trainers looking for working partners, or viewers curious about the breed’s history and temperament.
Holiday Viewership and Tradition
The National Dog Show has become one of the most-watched dog-related events on American television. Its placement on Thanksgiving allows it to reach a wide audience that might not usually follow conformation shows.
Many fans enjoy:
- Learning about breeds they have never seen
- Watching slow-motion replays of dogs in action
- Hearing the judges’ insights
- Admiring the grooming and training involved
- Sharing reactions on social media
The broadcast often trends online, especially when unique breeds or unexpected winners appear in the final lineup.
Looking Ahead to Future Competitions
The enthusiasm generated by the 2025 show reinforces the importance of continuing the tradition. Exhibitors are already preparing for upcoming seasons, refining their dogs’ conditioning, monitoring health, and planning travel schedules for future competitions.
For families thinking about attending next year, the National Dog Show offers a chance to watch dogs up close, meet breeders, and enjoy an event that blends education with entertainment.
Final Reflection
The national dog show 2025 dogs event offered viewers a polished, energetic, and engaging look at the world of canine competition. Soleil’s Best in Show victory provided the emotional peak of the broadcast, capturing the essence of what makes this Thanksgiving tradition so beloved: remarkable dogs, committed handlers, and a celebration of breeds with rich histories and devoted followings.