Tricky Ricky From Yarrow-Hi Tech, om. Budiman Jongkie & Cooijmans Mieke & None None, INDONESIA

There will be shows to make history in our canine world and without any doubt, this World Dog Show held by the Finnish Kennel Club is absolutely one of them. Never ever has the standard for a show been that high. In every aspect the Finnish Kennel Club has surprised us all.

The Finnish Kennel Club had submitted its candidature for the WDS 2014 in order to celebrate its 125th anniversary and, without any objection or competition, their candidature was accepted. They had already shown their potential and skills: their previous WDS was in 1998 and in 2006, they organised the European Section show. Already months before the closing date, the entries proved that it would become a very big show and, at the end, 21,200 dogs were entered. The Paris WDS in 2011 was bigger, but keep in mind that France is located in the centre of Europe, while Helsinki is a long way from countries like Greece, Italy or Spain. On the other hand, it was to be expected that Finland’s neighbour - Russia - would lead the list of foreign countries. Finland had 10,838 entries which is amazing, taking into account that the population of Finland is about 5 million. Russia followed with 4,127 entries, then came Sweden with 1,764, Norway with 696 and then Italy with no less than 472 dogs, a really high number. It is hard to tell if there is a connection with Italy taking over the FCI flag as next year's WDS organiser, but it is very well possible. 68 competitors came from the UK, but the USA had more entries: 73. There were even 22 entries from Kazakhstan. In total, 60 countries were represented and it is hard to find a show where so many different breeds were shown: 360 in total. No less than 124 judges from 35 different countries were invited.

The Obedience competition was held during the days prior to the World Dog Show, about 15 km from Helsinki. Obedience had 100 competitors from 20 countries. Heelwork to Music and Freestyle had 50 participants from 9 different countries. Junior Handling was open for anyone between 10 and 17 years old on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday the winners of Friday and Saturday had to compete against the national representatives. No less than 353 competitors showed up from 28 different countries.

Finns are very fond of dogs. The Finnish Kennel Club registers about 50,000 dogs yearly and out of all the dogs in the country about 75% are pure bred. From the 5,4 million inhabitants, 150,000 are members of the Finnish Kennel Club and they like dog sport too. Public Relations did not miss their effect! On Sunday, during the finals it was announced that over 52,000 visitors passed the entrance and the seats in the arena were sold out on Sunday for the finals. The halls were very convenient, huge and very big, big enough to hold all these dogs and masters within lines drawn on the floor, indicating areas where they could sit and place the benches for the dogs. The remaining space between rings and those areas were walking aisles and it worked very well. It was really easy walking around as there was nothing in the way. Everybody was so happy with this, visitors, as well as exhibitors, no frustration to get to the rings, no frustration from seeing the ring entrance blocked by seats and bags, etc. Smart, smart, smart! It was noticed by the Italian national canine organisation too, which will hopefully copy it for Milano next year. The exhibitors were also pleased with the good parking, signs and other facilities, etc. If there is no frustration from the start, people will keep their good mood more easily, be more sportive and happy with their results and critiques. It was remarkable that I heard almost no people complaining about the judging. They started all in a good mood and could probably stand much more than on some other shows where frustration leads to intolerance from the start on. And that proves how important it is to have a good organisation and a well-oiled team.

Not only during the show, but also before and after, the Finnish Kennel Club was a pioneer in finding new ways for improvement. It started with one of the best websites on a World or European Section Show so far. The website is so intuitive and covers every aspect of the show in a logical way without getting lost. During the show there was live streaming, directly via the website. For the first time ever, the results were immediately available via the social media, as in every ring a tablet was available with direct connection to the internet. And if you were there or thousands kilometers from there, you could have the results from the ring of your breed right away. New was also the Finnish Kennel Club's museum, an interesting initiative that made other Kennel Clubs turn green with envy. A very unusual but nice looking stand attracted the attention and invited to satisfy one’s curiosity. There were very interesting pieces on display, including a 2000-year old Chinese terracotta statue of a molossian-type dog, bought by Kari Järvinen at an auction and offered to the Finnish Kennel Club. The rings were behind the trade stands so that exhibitors and visitors had to pass by them before they could reach the rings. This is the best commercial option. One of the most successful stands was the one with the Finnish Kennel Club's many merchandising items. The logo for this World Dog Show was by the hand of Timo Lemmetti and was appreciated worldwide for its style and originality. Numerous items were available and most of them were sold out or almost so after the show.

The main ring was very nice with a big led screen as background and a cine screen on top. There was one big podium so that the dogs were not afraid and could pose more naturally. It was only two small steps high. The background music was played by the Kennel Club’s house band Jimmy Cola, assisted for this occasion by a string ensemble. Jussi Mikkola even composed a theme song ”Paws&Tails”. There was not too much distraction in the main ring except for a kids band performing a kind of acrobatic musical act and a very stylish strange ballet act. 'I didn't want to turn the main ring into a circus act" as Mr Järvinen said to me and indeed the dose was perfect. The glass trophies were made by artist Tarmo Maaronen. During the day there were many demonstrations in the main ring, but also in Hall 6 where there was a Dog Activities ring with more interactive activities. And every day, Animagi - the Veterinary Clinic Chain - gave demonstrations on how to clean dogs’ ears, cut nails and clean teeth, while in the conference rooms there were lectures, some in English, some in Finnish.

Groups 2, 4 and 8 were on term on Friday. Group 2 had amazing numbers like 206 Bernese Mountain Dogs, 168 Dobermanns, 141 Bulldogs and 138 Cane Corsos. A surprising number of 215 Miniature Pinschers drew the attention, as well as the 460 Miniature Schnauzers (all colours) and the 211 Medium Schnauzers. Group 4 was Dachshunds only, but imagine to see 831 together, amazing. Group 8 had also nice numbers; 187 English and 123 American Cockers, 151 English Springer Spaniels, 177 Flat Coated Retrievers, 274 Golden and 291 Labrador Retrievers and a nice number of 146 Lagotto Romagnolo.

Saturday was the busiest day with no less than 8,151 dogs to be judged. The Terriers were on term with 197 American Staffordshires, 192 Staffordshire Bull Terriers and 188 Jack - and 120 Parson Russell Terriers. The Yorkshire Terriers were also numerous: 171 in total. There were also two Ratoneros Bodegueros Andaluces, Terriers from Spain, looking like Brazilian Terriers. In Group 5 we found many Finnish Native breeds. The Finnish Lapphund is the record holder of the show with 526 specimens. The Laponian Herder had 234 specimens, the Finnish Spitz was represented by 165 specimens and the Karelian Dog by 103. But that group had also 167 Pomeranians, 143 Samoyedes and 176 Siberian Huskies. In Group 6 we found another Finnish Breed, the Finnish Hound. Finns are hunters and this explains that the Finnish Hound is very popular, compared to national hounds in other countries. The Finnish hound counted 161 specimens. The Beagle and the Rhodesian Ridgebacks were two other breeds with high entries, 170 and 191 respectively. The Dalmatian belongs also to this group; 129 were there. In this group we found rare breeds like the Briquet Griffon Vendéen, the Estonian Hound, the Dunker Hound, Kope, Plott and Montenegrin Mountain Hound, the Russian Hound, Shiller and Smaland Hound. Saturday had also the Sighthound group scheduled including 143 Salukis, 166 Whippets, 137 Barzois and 127 Afghan Hounds, dazzling numbers.

But it did not stop as Sunday had group 1 with 145 Australian Shepherds, 149 Shelties, 156 Rough Collies and 238 Welsh Corgies. The Swiss White Shepherd is becoming another big challenger with 118 entries. The Irish Red Setter was the most numerous of Group 7 with 127 entries. This group had also some rare breeds like the Blue Picardy Spaniel, the Braque de l'Ariège, the Pudelpointer and the Burgos Pointing Dog. In group 9 we found 406 Chihuahuas, 200 Chinese Crested Dogs, 189 French Bulldogs, 180 Pugs and 128 Boston Terriers. 7 Russian Tsvetnaja Bolonkas were exhibited, a Russian variety of the Bolognese.

But as if this was not enough, we had every evening in the main ring an amazing number of breeder groups. On Saturday and Sunday they were all lined up and occupied almost the whole large main ring. I have no exact number but the Finnish Kennel Club broke another record entering the highest number of breeder groups on a World or European Section Show.

Best in Show judge was Hans Lehtinen, Finland's world-famous judge. He had 10 absolutely top dogs to choose from, but only 4 were placed. “Pbj's Back in Black” from Denmark took the 4th place and trophy. This American Cocker Spaniel is owned by Kristensen Michael & Pruitt Beauté & Pruitt Jamie. Belgium saw its top-winning Fox Terrier "Kingarthur Van Foliny Home" go to the 3rd place. This wire fox is bred and owned by De Munter Rony & Malzoni Viktor Jr & Uiterwijk Winkel Dieny. It won the Terrier specialty held on Wednesday. The 2nd place went to Italy. “Cinecitta' Sasha Baron Colen”, a Maltese, was the lucky dog, owned by the lucky owner Franco Prosperi. The first place was for many no surprise. Seeing "Tricky Ricky from Yarrow-Hi Tech" move around the ring, no matter how small it was, was a pleasure for the eye and many could not hide their smile when this little monkey dog or Affenpinsher took a fierce look around as if he knew it could not but win this show. It took back the BIS trophy to Indonesia, along with Budiman Jongkie & Cooijmans Mieke & None None, its housemates.

Yet another World Dog Show is over and Finland has set the standard again one step higher, or maybe two. It will for sure not be Finland's last World or European Section show. And if the other countries lose track again, there will always be Finland to show them how it should be done.

Karl Donvil