Schedules for dog shows held at Koiramessut – Dog Fair Finland 16th–17th December have been published on the website of the event. About 15,000 dogs in total have been entered to the four dog shows at Messukeskus, Expo and Convention Centre Helsinki. More than 342 different breeds are seen in the rings.

More than 6,500 dogs have been entered to Saturday’s Nordic Dog Show Helsinki Winner 2023 and 850 dogs to Helsinki Winner Puppy Show. Nearly 6,700 dogs have been entered to Sunday’s International Dog Show Voittaja Winner 2023 and 850 dogs to Voittaja Puppy Show.

Labrador Retriever, Shetland Sheepdog, and Whippet with largest entry numbers

Labrador Retriever has been the most popular breed in Finland for a long time. This is also seen in the rings. Whippet, Shetland Sheepdog, English Springer Spaniel, and Dalmatian are also popular breeds with large entry numbers.

Breeds with the most entries at Helsinki Winner 2023 on Saturday are the Labrador Retriever (104), Shetland Sheepdog (95), Whippet (91), English Springer Spaniel (75), and Dalmatian (72).

The most popular breeds at Helsinki Winner Puppy Show are Golden Retriever (22), Bernese Mountain Dog (20), Shetland Sheepdog (20), Dalmatian (19), and French Bulldog (16).

Breeds with the most entries at Voittaja Winner 2023 on Sunday are the Labrador Retriever (98), Shetland Sheepdog (95), Whippet (91), English Springer Spaniel (75), and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (73).

The most popular breeds at Voittaja Puppy Show are Dalmatian (19), Bernese Mountain Dog (16), Shetland Sheepdog (16), French Bulldog (16), and Australian Shepherd (14).

On Saturday, Best in Show is chosen by Moa Persson from Sweden, and on Sunday by Tanya Ahlman Stockmari. The final competitions start at the Arena at 16:00 on each day of the fair.

Best in Show at Saturday’s puppy show is chosen by Perttu Ståhlberg and on Sunday’s puppy show by Marjatta Pylvänäinen-Suorsa. Final competitions of the puppy shows start at 15:00.

Lots of programme at the fair in addition to dog shows

The fair offers lots of interesting programme for the whole family. The Nordic Championship competitions in Freestyle and Heelwork to Music are held on both days at the Arena in Messukeskus. The winners are awarded at the Arena on Sunday at 12:30.

Government Working Dogs of the Year are awarded at the Arena on Saturday at 15:15, and Hero Dogs on Sunday at 13:15.

Those interested in getting a dog can learn more about different breeds at the Breed Plaza, where more than 40 breed clubs give out information of their breeds. At the Finnish Kennel Club’s HauLife stand, you can get tips on how to get a dog and for how to care for it.

You can also learn more about many different activities with dogs and meet the Finnish Kennel Club’s Care and Reading Dogs. The smallest ones in the family can participate at a toy dog show held at the fair.

At Dog Fair Finland, you also have a great opportunity to do some holiday gift shopping. More than a hundred different brands and sellers of dog-related products are at the fair.

More information about the programme can be found here (in Finnish).

Dog Welfare Counsellors guide exhibitors on how to take the dog’s well-being into consideration

Consideration of dogs’ well-being is something that must always be kept in mind at dog shows. We remind exhibitors about these matters in the information letter for exhibitors, before the show, and during the show, for instance with different signs at the fair. More information can be found on our website.

This year, Dog Welfare Counsellors go round the halls at Dog Fair Finland to observe how exhibitors take care of their dogs’ well-being at the event. Dog Welfare Counsellors are Kennel Counsellors trained by the Finnish Kennel Club. They advise and guide exhibitors, and, if necessary, also intervene in situations where the dog’s welfare is at risk. They can award Canine Companionship rosettes when they meet exhibitors whose dogs seem to have had a fun, stress-free day at the show.