“Finally, the New Year has truly begun,” joked purebred dog enthusiasts gathered at the highly anticipated Baltic Champion of Champions 2025 show in Vilnius. On January 18th, the Lithuanian Kennel Club proudly hosted this annual event at the elegant Park Plaza Conference Center.

A beloved tradition, the championship is held yearly in a different Baltic country, drawing top competitors from across the region. This year’s event showcased an impressive lineup of dogs of various breeds, selected through national championships or, in Lithuania’s case, the winners of the "TOP Dog" contest.

From a field of 32 exceptional participants, the judges faced the daunting task of choosing just two dogs – the Champion and the Vice-Champion. The decision was entrusted to a panel of esteemed FCI international judges: Aida Rivera Franco (Colombia), Juan Alberto Grillo (Colombia), and Enrico Drudi (San Marino). It was no easy feat. As Ramunė Kazlauskaitė, President of the Lithuanian Kennel Club, remarked: “Every dog participating here is already a winner, a magnificent representative of its breed.”

The pairings for each round were decided by random draw, keeping both participants and guests on the edge of their seats. To the delight of the Lithuanian audience, the semi-finals featured three Lithuanian dogs: J. Dijakovskaja’s Toy Poodle, G. Tamašauskaitė’s Alaskan Malamute, and L. Maciulevičius’s Smooth-haired Miniature Dachshund. They were joined by an Estonian participant, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, Black Majesty Pause 4 Applause, owned by Kristine Maria Siitan and Iva Raic.

Lithuania’s Alaskan Malamute, Dantė (CONTRACT WITH THE DEVIL), emerged victorious in the final stage, narrowly surpassing the Estonian entry. 

“This is a 100% victory for Dantė, one he shares with all Alaskan Malamutes, their breeders, veterinarians, trainers, judges, and fans,” exclaimed Gintarė Tamašauskaitė after the competition, her voice still full of pride and excitement. Dantė is a call name among dog enthusiasts, a star whose reputation speaks for itself.

The prestigious evening also celebrated the TOP Dog 2024 winners – Lithuanian dogs who achieved the highest accolades over the past year. While victory brings joy, these titles signify much more than trophies on a shelf. They represent a profound recognition of breeders’ dedication, an honor for the national canine organization, and the clubs they proudly represent. Moreover, they showcase the hard work and commitment of dog handlers, caretakers, trainers, and veterinary professionals.

Behind every exceptional dog is a passionate and committed team of people who love their dogs and work tirelessly to ensure their well-being and future success. The Lithuanian Kennel Club extends its warmest wishes to all Baltic dog teams, both big and small: You are the best!

Participants, Ch of Ch 2025. 

The Baltic Champion of Champions 2025 show was made possible with the generous support of Kika, Tauro Proline, and Nature’s Protection. 
 

More Entuziastas media photo