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I still remember the World Dog Show in Stockholm, back in 2008. It was in the very same halls in mid-summer. It was at a time when these events were animated with folklore and promotion for the country. It was a treat for the visitors and participants from all over the world. A team of figurants played short scenes from daily life in Sweden. There were Sami, the nomadic Nordic people, singing their very unusual songs. All this happened during the different official items of the main ring judging. It turned the show into a total spectacle, but it also made the finals way longer than they are now. Compared to then, the 2026 show finished hardly any later than a regular big championship show, even on Sunday for the finals when we could all go home around 7:00 pm. The ceremonial part, with the traditional handing over of the FCI flag to the organizing country for the next edition, took hardly 10 minutes. The glamour of before seems totally gone. On the other hand, a time schedule has its benefits, at least if the organizers are following it strictly, as was the case here. Finalists know when to prepare their dogs, let them go out, or let them rest and be back in time.
The main ring was spacious, and the podium had a huge background printed on canvas, showing an aerial view of the city center. It was a nice photo, but it gave a very distracting impression in the press photos. Something more abstract would give the dogs, handlers, and judges more chance to shine. It looked like the judges were well briefed; not one took the liberty to let the dogs run in another way. Every selected dog ran an up-and-down in the same direction, followed by a circle around the main ring, while the judge stood in the same place. Music was constantly playing in the background. The music volume was acceptable, but it still started to take its toll after three or four hours. But apart from these minor points, the main ring was perfect—though lacking a festive atmosphere. There was a lot of public around the ring as well as on the stairs, and on Sunday it was completely full.
The trade stands were situated at the end of the main hall and in the central corridor. The many trade stands were situated strategically and impossible to miss them. There were 114 rings spread over three halls, all spacious. And it was very easy to walk around. In the entrance hall was a huge stand from the Swedish Kennel Club, selling all kinds of promotional gadgets. Two info stands were situated on each side of the central corridor. There was no printed catalog at all. This is environmentally friendly, but looking everything up on your phone via one WiFi in the hall that is used by hundreds is really slow and annoying. Most exhibitors only need to know where to find their ring, see the time schedule, and read the critique from the judge. For them it is okay, but if you want to see several breeds, then it’s no fun having to look things up on a small screen every other moment. At least for judges and the press, a printed catalog would be a big relief, and if other people want to have one too, they should be able to order one online and pick it up at the show. But it was very nice that every participant could consult the judges’ reports immediately, while they were still in the ring, because it was written directly online.
Every day, several Groups were on turn for the European Dog Show, while other Groups participated at the Swedish Winner. It made the daily finals never too long. Everything went so smoothly and was well timed. However, it was not always in the order as it was programmed. But I suppose, it was probably because some breeds were still being judged. Anyway, it never caused a problem, and there was never any interruption to the time schedule.
The first-ever dog show in Sweden was in 1894 and attracted 488 entries. Since 1971, the show has been held at Stockholmsmässan. While the hall still looked very convenient to me, this European Dog Show was the last event held here, because it will be demolished. In recent years, the Swedish Winner show was the only event still taking place there and that consequently became unprofitable. This European Show attracted 8,831 dogs, and the Swedish Winner had 6,946 entries; in addition to that, there were around 40 breed-specialty shows in the wider area of Stockholm. The judges from 25 countries welcomed and judged 366 different breeds coming from 64 different countries and five continents. Add to that the Junior Handlers representing 20 European countries.
The best-represented breeds were the Labrador Retrievers (118), Pembroke Welsh Corgis (113), Golden Retrievers (111), Papillons (110), Pomeranians (108), Long Coat Chihuahuas (104), and Staffordshire Bull Terriers (102). Many other breeds were also well represented, but this gives you an indication of which breeds are popular nowadays.
The honor to judge Best in Show of the Swedish Winner was granted to Bo Skaling from Sweden, while Annika Ulltveit-Moe, also from Sweden, was granted this honor for the European Dog Show. She has built up experience for 46 years and has been an all-rounder for 25 years. During the FCI flag ceremony, the flag was offered to Jose Doval, President of the Spanish Kennel Club. Next year’s show will be held in Alicante on December 2-5, 2027. It will probably be the perfect time for Spain, not too hot or too cold. We have great expectations.
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Owners: Jan Willem Akerboom & Kris van der Schaaf
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