The Fédération Cynologique Internationale was founded in 1911 to encourage and promote breeding and use of purebred dogs. The founding countries were Austria, Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Currently the FCI has over 80 member countries in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean.
The FCI used to hold occasional dog shows, typically scheduled to coincide with its congresses. Organizing large-scale international dog shows was difficult at the time due to political, quarantine and transport restrictions. The first attempt at holding an international dog show was made in 1971. The event was took place in Budapest, Hungary. Since then, the World Dog Show has been held annually.
The show is hosted by a new member country each year. Past host countries include Hungary, Brazil, Germany, France, Morocco, Austria, Denmark, Mexico, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Spain, the Netherlands, Israel, Peru, the Czech Republic (then Czechoslovakia), Argentina, Belgium, Puerto Rico, Finland, Portugal, Poland, Sweden, Slovakia, and Russia.
The top title at the World Dog Show is CACIB – Certificate d’Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté (Certificate of Aptitude at the International Championship of Beauty). The competition is open to purebred specimens of standardized breeds fully recognized by the FCI. Provisionally recognized or experimental breeds do not qualify. A win at the World Dog Show is often regarded more prestigious than a win at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
The program of the World Dog Show also includes agility, obedience, junior handler and conformation competitions and demonstrations, meet the breed activities, trade stands in the exhibitor area, and more. Every year the show features between 10,000 and 20,000 purebred dogs from all over the world that compete for coveted championship titles, trophies and places on the winner’s rostrum.
Photo: wds2015.com
