Welcome to the FCI-European Dog Show 2016 in Brussels, Belgium

 

 

DOGS CAN ENTER AS FROM 07.00 AM.

 

A little bit of Belgian Cynological history: Yes, Belgium was the first country in history to organise a dog show, this was on May 28 1847 in Tervuren.

This show was reserved for one breed only: the pointer, and they were judged by three judges. Most of the exhibitors were hunters. At that time the idea arose to create a pedigree database but it took till 1882 when the “Society Saint-Hubert” to be founded and the first pedigrees to be registered. In 1885 the registered prefix “Royal” was added and since that time it’s known under the name “Société Royale Saint-Hubert” or S.R.S.H and “Koninklijke Maatschappij Sint Hubertus” or K.M.S.H. in Dutch. Today his Majesty the King of Belgium is still the Honorary Chairman. In 1911 the Royal Society Saint-Hubert, together with the kennel clubs of France, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany, founded the FCI and united dog lovers all over the world for the very first time in history.

Unfortunately the alliance was brought to an end due to the 1st world war. On April 19th 1921, under the impulse of Belgium and France, the alliance was re-established. Since 1954 the office of the FCI is situated in Belgium in Thuin, a historical city close to the border of France and since that time the heart of the dog world beats in this little Belgian town.

100 years after the foundation of the Société Saint-Hubert , Belgium had the honour to organize the European Dog Show of 1982. In 1995 The Royal Society organized its 100th exhibition. In order to celebrate this very special event, the FCI agreed to grant Belgium the honour to organize the World Dog Show of that year. The Show took place in the Brussels exhibition center (named Heysel at that time) build on the occasion of the World Expo in 1958. 2011 was the centenary of the FCI. As a founding member Belgium hosted the prestigious Champion of Champions Show with success.