The Best Nordic Show Dog of the Year—that is, the best Nordic dog at the show—will now be selected for the first time in conjunction with the Nordic Winner 2026 show. The competition beautifully showcases Nordic dog breeds that have evolved to adapt to the northern climate. Many of these breeds are hunting dogs. The group also includes herding and guard dogs.

The selection is made from among the best dogs of each breed in all the Nordic countries. The judge in charge of the selection chooses four dogs to receive awards, and the best of these is awarded the title of Best Nordic Show Dog of the Year 2026.

The Best Dog in the Nordic Countries will be selected by judge Leni Finne of Finland during the show’s final competitions.

Join the competition if your dog is the best of its breed in the following breeds

Finnish Breeds

• Finnish Hound
• Finnish Lapphund
• Finnish Spitz
• Karelian Bear Dog
• Lapponian Herder

Swedish breeds

• Danish-Swedish Farm Dog
• Drever
• Gotland Hound
• Hamilton Hound
• Hällefors Elkhound
• Norrbottenspitz
• Schiller Hound
• Småland Hound
• Swedish Elkhound
• Swedish Lapphund
• Swedish Vallhund
• Swedish White Elkhound

Danish Breeds

• Black Danish Spitz
• Broholmer
• Danish-Swedish Farm Dog
• Dansk Spids
• Greenland Dog

Norwegian breeds

• Black Norwegian Elkohound
• Grey Norwegian Elkhound
• Halden Hound
• Hygen Hound
• Norwegian Buhund
• Norwegian Hound
• Norwegian Lundehund

Icelandic Breeds

• Icelandic Sheepdog

A breed for which the Nordic Kennel Union (PKU) is jointly responsible

• Samoyed