FCI in transition

We are living in a changeable world. Politically the last 25 years have been characterised by very big changes: New countries have emerged, others have dissolved and new state formations have appeared.

This has of course affected the FCI and our whole organisation. We have become many more members and before long we will probably pass a total of 100 full member countries, associated countries and contract partners. And not many years ago we were “only” 70 countries.
As most people will know, our statutes are based on the principle “one country – one vote” and this principle will surely be challenged in the coming years, as the rapid increase in the number of members with a lot of quite small kennel clubs is diluting the influence of the large and middle-sized countries; those countries that pay for almost the entire running of the FCI (the 5 largest contributors pay more than 1/3 of the total income of the FCI).

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Jørgen Hindse
The countdown to the Eukanuba World Challenge 2013 has started

The excitement is growing as we are getting closer to the 2013 Eukanuba World Challenge! This truly international competition will once again be held in conjunction with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, FL on December 10-15 at the Orange County Convention Center. This year Eukanuba will award forty-five canine finalists and their owners from around the world an expenses-paid trip to Orlando and the chance to compete for a $10,000 grand prize.

Three days of all-breed dog shows will make up the first half of the week's events, and new for 2013 a fourth full day devoted to breed specialty shows and special attractions is scheduled. This will include pre-judging for the Eukanuba World Challenge as well as the Eukanuba Breeder's Stakes Finals.

“We’re pleased to add a full day of specialties and special attractions the Friday before the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, with many new features during the week, like “My Dog Can Do That!”, two AKC Advanced Judges Institutes, Breeders Seminars and the AKC Owner-Handler Series end-of-year competition,” said Michael Canalizo, AKC Event Manager.

“We are excited to expand the 13th annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship to a week-long celebration in the canine world. The week will feature unique breeds, amazing athletes, and the special bond dogs have with their people,” said Jason Taylor-External Relations Manager, P&G Pet Care. “Along with our partners at the AKC, we are aiming to create the most thrilling canine event in the world.”

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be held on December 14-15, with the EWC Final on Sunday. To earn a spot in the final, dogs must first compete in one of four pre-assigned sections. Some designations are based on the dog's representative country, while others are gained through a qualifying win. During the World Dog Show in Budapest, a live drawing was held to determine the group appointments for each Eukanuba World Challenge participant. The results were as follows:

Group 1- Russia, China, Netherlands, Finland, Australia, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, North America, Philippines, France, and Thailand.
Group 2- Winner FCI Asia/Pacific, Japan, European Qualifier 2, Denmark, Portugal, USA AENC BIS, UK BIS Winning Team, Switzerland, Belgium, WDS BIS, and Puerto Rico.
Group 3- Sweden, Taiwan, Mexico, Hungary, WKC BIS, Norway, Brazil, UK, Spain, Winner FCI Europe, and Austria.
Group 4- Germany, Winner FCI Americas/Caribbean, South Africa, European Qualifier 1, New Zealand, S Korea, Canada, Malaysia, Argentina, Indonesia, and Ireland.

The EWC groups will be judged by four well-known gentlemen including Hungarian KC President Mr Andras Korozs, Dutch KC President Mr Gerard Jipping, and former President of Israel's KC Mr Zyi Kupferberg. The remaining section will be led by Mr Peter Green of the US, who has long been one of America's top professional handlers and is now a respected judge. For fairness reasons and in order to create excitement the group assignments of the respective judges will be decided by a drawing at the Eukanuba World Challenge Gala dinner on Thursday evening.

Unlike the years before the pre-judging is taking place on Friday instead of Saturday. The final 12 won’t be announced until after the flag ceremony, the festive entering of the participants with their country’s flags that is reminiscent of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, taking place on Saturday evening. All dogs will have to enter the ring again for the announcement. In this way there is not one single, very intense afternoon of competition like in the years before. Instead the excitement is spread over two days and all participants will have more time in the ring.

Three dogs from each group will advance to the final, where popular FCI all-rounder Mr Miguel Angel Martinez of Argentina will select this year's ultimate winner. First and second runners-up will also be chosen, and earn prizes of $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.

For more information about the Eukanuba World Challenge including complete rules and guidelines visit www.eukanubaworldchallenge.com. If you would like to look ‘behind the scenes ’ before and during the event visit www.facebook.com/eukanubaworldchallenge.