PHILADELPHIA – A Belgian Sheepdog โฃnamed Soleil took home the coveted “Best in Show” โคtitle at the National Dog Show in Philadelphia onโฃ Thursday,November 27th.
The annual competition, broadcast on NBC and โstreamed on Peacock, showcases dogs from across the โcountry vying for top honors โin โtheir respective breeds andโ ultimately, the overall championship. Soleil’s victory marks a meaningful achievement โin theโฃ world of competitive dog showing,โ highlighting the breed’s intelligence, athleticism, and beauty.
“Today, that โฃdog wasโ ‘on.’ Didn’t put its foot downโ wrong. Didn’t โขmiss โคa beat,” Best in Show judge Charlie Olvis โsaid โขin a statement. “She isโ in โdrop-dead gorgeous โฃcondition.”
Handler Daniel Martin โechoed the sentiment, stating,โค “I knew thatโ 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.”
Soleil bested a Miniature Schnauzer,a Shih Tzu,and a Bichon โฃFrise to claim the top prize. The winningโ dog is owned byโ Connie Jasinski of Mt. Pleasant,โฃ S.C., Pat Snowโฃ of Sapulpa, Okla., and Nancy Maye of Towanda, Kan. โข Soleil also previously won in the Herding Group.
The Reserve Bestโ in Show, orโ second place, was awarded โคto โan โฃAmerican Foxhound named George, handled by Tristen Lawrence of Mechanicsville, Md., who had earlier won the Houndโค Group.
John O’Hurley and Davidโค Frei co-hosted the event,withโฃ Mary Carillo providing behind-the-scenes commentary. Last year’s winner was vito, a pug.