Annual Top Finnish Lapphund Celebration
The FLCA Board is proud of all the venues in which Finnish Lapphunds excel and the owners, breeders and handlers that work to represent the breed at the highest level.
At the 2024 and 2025 National Specialty events, the Top 20 Finnish Lapphunds were recognized by the show committees for the respective Nationals with a custom ribbon and Parade at the show site. Beginning in 2026, the FLCA Board is excited to begin a celebration of the Top Finnish Lapphunds in all AKC Venues for which statistics are kept and continue to host a celebration annually at the National Specialty. The celebration is planned in conjunction with the FLCA Board, Specialty Liaison and Awards & Titles Committee in collaboration with the rotating National Specialty Committee.
The Event
The event is a celebration of the Top Finnish Lapphunds and their successes over the qualifying period.
Social Event (a requirement of all Nationals to have at least one) with an opportunity to highlight the dogs and teams that worked all year.
Every effort will be made to hold the Top Finnish Lapphund event at the site of the show. If not possible, a suitable nearby location and time will be sought with the safety and comfort of attendees and all dogs in mind to include a sound system to make announcements and play music
An up to 60 second opportunity will be allotted to celebrate each dog individually
If a dog qualifies in more than one venue, they may have up to 30 seconds for each category
Music and performance of handler’s choice. Handlers must bring their own props
Conformation example
Multi talented dog (conf, agility and obedience)
Performance (hunting) example
Catalog with one page for each dog, include a photo and write up from the owners.
Food appropriate for the time-of-day, participants and attendees in a dog friendly venue with a large area for the performances
Beginning in 2026, the Event will also include a Parade of Honors for FLCA Awards, including ROM and Versatility Awards earned in the previous year.
Invitees Timeline
Qualifiers (see below) will be invited according to the timeline. The complete invitation list will be published on FLCA Facebook and emailed through the FLCA Groups.io. Owners that are FLCA members will be emailed at the email on file with FLCA with specifics on participation. Reasonable effort will be made to contact owners that are not current FLCA members before the deadlines. Please contact the FLCA Board if you have any questions or concerns about invitation information.
The entry fee is $75 per dog. There is no charge for Junior Showmanship. Attendance is not required to receive the items, which will be shipped after the event. Additional copies of ribbon and gift may be ordered at cost and may need to be shipped after the event.
Custom rosette with show name and up to 6 titles included. Dogs qualifying in more than one event will receive one ribbon with a tab for each event.
1 page in a digital catalog with picture, registered name (no limit on titles), Sire and Dam, and personal statement up to 250 words.
Custom gift to commemorate the accomplishment
60 seconds to celebrate to music or 30 seconds per venue qualified (whichever is greater) at the celebratory social event at the National
2026 Event Timeline
Early January NOHS Top 10 and Obedience and Rally and Agility Mid-Year Invitees Published. RSVP information emailed to owners (according to above)
Mid-January Canine Chronicle and AKC publishes Statistics through December 31st and Invites for Breed, All Breed, Juniors, FastCAT and Year-End Rally and Obedience published. RSVP information emailed to owners (according to above)
February 6th Initial RSVP Due and Name with titles to be printed on ribbons due. Invoices will be sent afterwards.
February 27th Final Catalog information and Songs due
March 13th Evening Top Finnish Lapphund and Parade of Honors in Anderson California
Qualifying
2023- Celebrated at the 2024 National in Massachusettes recognizing the Top 20 in any event, as outlined in the Information Packet
2024 - Celebrated the Top 20 Breed points at the 2025 National in Kentucky with a custom rosette and a parade at the show site - 2024 Year End Breed Statistics by Canine Chronicle
2025 - Will be celebrated at the 2026 National in California
Top 20 Breed by Canine Chronicle through December 31st (published in mid-January)
Top 20 All Breed by Canine Chronicle through December 31st (published in mid-January)
Top 10 National Owner Handled Series by Canine Chronicle for September 19, 2024 - September 17, 2025
Top 5 Junior Handlers by Canine Chronicle through December 31st (published in mid-January)
Obedience: #1 in each class and Top 2 OTCH at Mid Year and Year End as published by AKC
Rally: #1 in each class and Top 2 RACH at Mid Year and Year End as published by AKC
Agility: Top 2 MACH and Top 2 PACH at Mid Year and Year End as published by AKC
FastCAT: Top 5 at Year End as published by AKC
2026 - Will be celebrated at the 2027 National in Virginia
To allow for year-long planning, especially girls that are being bred, Juniors that are aging out, unforeseen circumstances, etc., in 2026 and beyond, a Mid-Year Invite will be added.
Top 20 Breed by Canine Chronicle through June 30th + Any dogs in the Top 20 through December 31st that were not in the Mid Year invite list
Top 20 All Breed by Canine Chronicle through June 30th + Any dogs in the Top 20 through December 31st that were not in the Mid Year invite list
Top 10 National Owner Handled Series by Canine Chronicle September 18, 2025 to March 30, 2026 + Any dogs in the Top 10 through September 15, 2026 that were not in the Mid Year invite list
Top 5 Junior Handler by Canine Chronicle through June 30th + Any Juniors in the Top 5 through December 31st that were not in the Mid Year invite list
Obedience: #1 in each class and Top 2 OTCH at Mid Year and Year End as published by AKC
Rally: #1 in each class and Top 2 RACH at Mid Year and Year End as published by AKC
Agility: Top 2 MACH and Top 2 PACH at Mid Year and Year End as published by AKC
FastCAT: Top 5 at Year End as published by AKC
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