If in Spain we end up assuming the witty, nostalgic musical spectacle of New Year’s Eve on the last night of the year and the New Year’s Eve party as the obligatory soundtrack on January 1, on the other side of the Atlantic, a habit that is as strange as it is deeply American has taken hold: sitting in front of the TV on Thanksgiving to watch a dog contest. It is almost unsettling to imagine millions of people, after Messi’s parade, waiting for a show in which the champions are dogs who parade, twirl and allow themselves to be evaluated by expert judges.
However, this custom has already become part of the ceremonial identity of the United States. This is 2025, transition National Dog Show It once again demonstrated its cultural strength, reaching… 12.8 million viewersa character on the success of the format that combines tradition, canine pride and the appeal of live television. And it does so while much of the country indulges in the ubiquitous turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.
An American TV tradition like Türkiye
Although it may seem gimmicky to a European audience, the connection between Thanksgiving and this dog show is not the result of coincidence, but rather the result of a history dating back to the 19th century. The National Dog Show traces its roots to Philadelphia, the city where the first American dog morphology shows were held in 1876, during the first World’s Fair in the United States. Two years later, the Kennel Club of Philadelphia was born Since 1879 it has been organizing annual competitionswith the only interruption of the most difficult years of the Great Depression.
More than a century later, the arrival of Purina’s sponsorship changed the course of the event when it proposed televising the contest on Thanksgiving. NBC, which initially doubted the bet would work, approved the idea. In 2002, the first broadcast of displays It attracted more than 18 million homes, inadvertently inaugurating a tradition that would fuse with the country’s festive imagination. Since then, the event has been held for three days and culminates in a live broadcast simultaneous with the celebration, which focuses on the final rounds of the various groups and the grand coronation of the team. Best in showa moment that could rival North American spectators in emotional valence with Radetzky’s marching applause.
Soleil, the new queen of the show
In 2025, the absolute champion took place Sullya dog of the breed Belgian Shepherd Groenendaelwho won the title Best in showOr better than the entire gallery. The six-year-old dog, wearing an all-black coat, arrived in Philadelphia as the best rated of her breed in the entire United States and she did not disappoint. First, she took on a pack of sheepdogs, then convinced the final judge, Charlie Olves, who called her an “amazing” dog, without misplacing a paw or missing a beat.
Competing around him were reputable competitors such as Neil, a Bichon Frize, Dino, a Giant Schnauzer, Baby Joe, and a Miniature Schnauzer. Comet, a Shih Tzu with over 140 world titles Best in showTyler, an English setter, and George, an American foxhound, who ended up taking the reserve title, i.e. second place. That Soleil shines above the dogs with his greater resume confirms what he has Wizard (Professional term for his mentor), Daniel Martin explained after the victory: “Soleil was on a roll today. He loves people’s energy and grows with it. That’s where his magic is.”
The win, which many considered a slight surprise due to his short competitive career, which lasted just over a year, not only gave him the highest recognition in the competition, but also gave him prizes worth $2,000 (about 1,830 euros), and numerous gifts.