Lakeland Terrier and Whippet Take Best in Show Titles!
The Lakeland Terrier Nordlicht Von Den Schönen Bergen beat 8,830 other dogs to claim Best in Show at the European Dog Show 2026 in Stockholm. When BIS judge Annika Ulltveit-Moe was asked to sum up the winner, one word was enough: fantastic.
The Dog with That Little Extra
Best in Show at the European Dog Show 2026 was awarded to the Lakeland Terrier Nordlicht Von Den Schönen Bergen from Germany.
"It was a fantastic lineup, but this dog is so perfect in type, size, condition, and presentation. It simply wanted it. And in the end, that's what makes the difference, that little extra that says, 'I want this'," said BIS judge Annika Ulltveit-Moe.
The winning Lakeland Terrier's breeder, Friedrich-Wilhelm Schöneberg, had more than one reason to celebrate. In addition to breeding the Best in Show winner, he also bred the Wire Fox Terrier that placed second in the Terrier Group and owns the Welsh Terrier that finished fourth in the group.
International Participation from 64 Countries
Despite being a European title event, the show had a truly international character, with dogs participating from countries both within and outside Europe. A total of dogs from 64 countries took part, while the judging panel included judges from 25 countries.
Sweden was awarded the right to host the European Dog Show following an application and vote within the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) four years ago.
Top Four in the Best in Show Final
The placements in the Best in Show final at the European Dog Show 2026 were:
BIS-1: CH Nordlicht Von Den Schönen Bergen (Germany), Lakeland Terrier
BIS-2: CH Pukawidgee The Moon In Winter (Australia), Border Collie
BIS-3: CH Creme Anglaise's Entourage On Tour (The Netherlands), Whippet
BIS-4: CH Hip Hop Boy Dos Sete Moinhos (Spain), Basset Hound
Whippet Wins Swedish Winner Show 2026
Earlier in the afternoon, the Best in Show final of Swedish Winner Show 2026, held alongside the European Dog Show throughout the weekend, was also decided.
Swedish judge Bo Skalin selected a Whippet as Best in Show. Creme Anglaise's Entourage On Tour from the Netherlands defeated 6,945 other dogs on its way to the title.
Top Four in the Swedish Winner Show 2026
The dogs placed in the Best in Show final at Swedish Winner Show 2026 were:
BIS-1: CH Creme Anglaise's Entourage On Tour (The Netherlands), Whippet
BIS-2: CH Tamberi Mezza Barba de' Le Belle Cavate (Italy), Lagotto Romagnolo
BIS-3: CH Uptown Haze Des Terres Des Khairyac (Croatia), Australian Shepherd
BIS-4: CH Star Sapphire Mustang (Sweden), Standard Poodle
Estonian Victory in Junior Handling
The European Junior Handling Championship was also held during the weekend, attracting more than 200 participants from across Europe.
The title was won by Aare Teiva from Estonia, handling a Pointer. Second place went to Deárbhla Nugent from Ireland, handling a Portuguese Water Dog.
Sweden's Stella Näslin proudly represented the host nation, earning an impressive fourth-place finish with her Pointer.
Thank You for a Fantastic Weekend
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all exhibitors, officials, judges, volunteers, partners, and visitors who helped make this year's event possible.
We hope to see you again in Jönköping, Sweden, on 18-19 December 2027!