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Over 31,000 dogs set to visit Leipzig
With the record number of 24,692 total entries, the World Dog Show taking place from 9–12 November in Leipzig is not just the biggest dog show in the world, but the largest that has ever been held in the history of the World Canine Organisation (FCI).
It will be the cynological highlight of the year. Over 31,000 dogs from 73 nations will come together in Leipzig for the world’s most important breed shows. The judges will be looking for dogs in robust health and with exemplary behaviour that epitomize the functions of their breeds. The victors will carry off coveted titles – especially the World Winner.
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) assigns the World Dog Show to a different member country each year. The 2017 edition of the show was originally set to take place in Ecuador, but that plan had to be abandoned after the earthquake there in 2016. The VDH stepped into the breach and had just about sixteen months to organise the World Dog Show. In light of the haste involved, the organisers in Germany are all the more delighted by the record-breaking number of entries they have received.
“We weren’t expecting a show here to attract such a gigantic response,” VDH President Professor Peter Friedrich comments, “and we are honoured to find ourselves now hosting the biggest ever show in the history of the FCI.”
That record had previously been held by the World Dog Show in Paris with 21,588 entries. The VDH is well used to organising major events; this is the seventh World Dog Show to have been held in Germany since 1935.
In addition to the World Dog Show with its 24,692 competitors, the VDH is also organising a jam-packed programme of fringe events at the Leipzig Trade Fair. The ball will get rolling on 8 November with the German Winner Show. 6,423 dogs are entered for the show and dog lovers will also be enthralled by various dog sport events. 110 dogs will compete in the Dog Dancing World Championships in the Heelwork to Music and Freestyle categories. The German Agility Championships and an international agility tournament with over 350 competitors will be held and so will the European Dog Diving Championships.
Juniors will also have opportunities to test their mettle in Leipzig. In the Junior Handling World Championships, juniors from 35 countries will demonstrate how to present dogs correctly.
The programme of fringe events offers a tremendous mix of information and entertainment and will feature some top-class stars. Police dogs and hunting and herding dogs will show off their skills in the large arena with 1,800 seats in Hall 1, and attractive modern sports will be represented in the form of dog frisbee and flyball.
Visitors interested in getting a dog of their own can chat to people at 48 different information stands manned by breed societies and various dog breeds will also be presented on an event stage.
Dogs will be spoiled for culinary choices at more than 185 pet food stands where representatives from the sector will present their various nibbles, treats and varieties of food. A huge range of dog supplies and accessories will also be on offer at Leipzig Trade Fair – from leashes and care products to beds.
The World Dog Show and the German Winner Show are being held at Leipzig Trade Fair from 8–12 November. The show will take place in a total of five halls with 85,000 square metres of exhibition space and will be open to visitors from 9.00 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Tickets and further information available online from www.wds2017.de
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