FCI World Dog Show 2014 – Helsinki (FI), 8-10 August

The FCI main conformation event of the year is over and will remain in everybody’s mind as the symbol of what a perfectly well-organised dog show should be.

Year 2014 was for Finland the 125th anniversary of their creation. It was a superb reason for the Finns to apply for hosting the 2014 FCI World Dog Show, 16 years after having had the pleasure to meet the dog scene on the occasion of the 1998 FCI World Dog Show, with an interesting entry of 15,300 dogs.

Read more

Y. De Clercq
FCI Executive Director
Eukanuba World Challenge: The “Best of the Best” coming to Europe
World Dog Show BIS, Affenpinscher ‘Tricky Ricky From Yarrow-Hi Tech’, receives the invitation to EWC Finals 2014 by José-Luis Ibáñez (left), Gerard Jipping and Rony Doedijns.

The organisers of the Eukanuba World Challenge (EWC) have announced the decision to bring the 2014 EWC Finals to Europe. This year’s “Best of the Best” competition will be held at the ‘Amsterdam Winner Show’ (13-14 December 2014) in the Netherlands.

The idea of hosting the EWC Finals one day also in Europe has been discussed since the early times of the Competition. For the past seven years selection of the world’s most beautiful dog has been embedded in the programme of the ‘American Kennel Club National Championships’. In alignment with the American Kennel Club, the FCI and The Kennel Club it has been decided that now is the right time for a change.

José-Luis Ibáñez, Commercial Leader Eukanuba Breeder & Vet Business for Europe and EWC Show Chair, stated: “Clearly, this marks the start of a new era in the long success story of the Challenge – but it’s the best possible decision under the current circumstances of the pending changes to Eukanuba brand ownership. What will not change though is the core idea of EWC which is bringing together top winning dogs from around the globe in one competition.”

“Having said that, at this point we would like to explicitly express our gratitude to AKC for all their support to EWC over the years and with this decision now. Since the premiere in 2007 the AKC National Championships have been the perfect setting for the World Challenge providing the stage needed to grow the fame of the Competition year by year to what makes it today one of the most coveted titles in the calendar of international confirmation shows”, emphasised José-Luis Ibáñez.
Also this year EWC will offer 40 plus slots to Kennel Clubs and BIS winners at major international shows*. The EWC Winner will be awarded prize money of EUR 7,500 plus EUR 3,500 to its nominating KC. First Runner-up and 3rd place will win EUR 2,500 and Euro 1,500 respectively. José-Luis Ibáñez: “Despite the change in location the overall concept of EWC- lining-up the world’s “Best of the Best” dogs- will remain unchanged. Obviously, slight adaptations in execution might be necessary – contestants should keep an eye on the EWC website and Facebook page.”

Rafael de Santiago, President of FCI, commented: “While sadly the established tradition of having the Finals in the US will come to an end, likewise FCI and the global breeder community feel reassured to see that the idea of EWC will live on. Amsterdam is a great choice as the city is an attractive destination located in the heart of Europe. Combined with the ‘Amsterdam Winner Show’, the EWC Finals will make for an extraordinary show highlight right at the end of the season.”

Gerard Jipping, President of the Dutch Kennel Club (‘Raad van Beheer’): “I feel very honoured that the EWC will be organised in connection with the famous Amsterdam Winner Show. The Netherlands has a strong and old tradition in breeding and showing dogs. Not the least, the Netherlands is one of the founding members of FCI, the World Dog Organisation. No question, the Dutch Kennel Club will provide a first class organisation to EWC. Rony Doedijns, the Director of the Dutch Kennel Club and former Chairman of the Amsterdam Winner Show, will be the coordinator. We look forward to meet dog lovers from all over the world in December in Amsterdam for the EWC Finals and the Amsterdam Winner show.”

As foreseen, the usual EWC qualifying event for dogs from European countries not having direct access to the Finals will be run during the FCI European Section Show in Brno, CZ, (23-26 October). Out of the ca. 20 dogs invited the two best will qualify for the Amsterdam EWC Finals.

* Terms & Conditions apply. Cf. Eukanuba World Challenge website (http://www.eukanuba.co.uk/world-challenge) for details and latest updates.

Lars Ortlieb
Communications Mgr Pet Care RBU EMEA & Asia