This article is being written on the weekend of the most recent World Dog Show, in Helsinki, Finland. Many interesting online chats took place among North American dog people, asking one another if we would exhibit at the World Show? In recent years, we’ve gotten rid of much of the red tape involved in showing internationally, so it no longer has to be a hypothetical question, if you can financially afford the adventure.
While technically most any AKC (American Kennel Club)-registered dog can be entered, we’ll assume you want to be competitive at the World Show, in which case there are some practical matters that you need to consider.
Since World Dog Shows are held under the auspices of the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale), you must first acquaint yourself with your breed’s FCI Standard. Although FCI recognizes hundreds more breeds than the AKC does, FCI Standards can vary greatly when it comes to our AKC-recognized breeds. Many AKC Breed Standards allow colors and patterns that are strictly verboten by the FCI, and vice versa. Have you ever seen a fawn Schipperke, a white Miniature Schnauzer, or an Irish-marked (“panda”) Afghan Hound? You will at a World Show! The FCI Poodle Breed Standard was recently revised to allow parti-colored and multi-colored dogs. In fact, a black-and-tan Poodle (in one of the smaller varieties) was a major winner in Helsinki, with photographs widely posted on social media. Predictably, there were heated exchanges between horrified AKC Poodle fanciers and elated European fanciers.
Speaking of Poodles, hairspray is taboo, so your comfort level grooming dogs without relying on product will be a consideration. Many American exhibitors in coated breeds are surprised by the more basic level of grooming and presentation at World Dog Shows. The Shih Tzu exhibits, for example, are shown with a bow taking up the topknot but no roll overs, as we see here.
Americans accustomed to seeing their breeds with ears cropped and tails docked will, of course, see natural-eared and natural-tailed counterparts at the World Show. But beyond the cosmetic, FCI Standards for many breeds, with different structural requirements and size variances, result in dogs of a different style, or type, than what we are used to seeing. Evaluated by international judges who uphold the FCI Breed Standards, American dogs, no matter how successful at home, will likely be the ones looking out of place. On the other hand, American owners of breeds whose pedigrees are greatly dependent on European imports may welcome the opportunity to show to international specialists who are far more familiar with their breeds than are AKC arbiters. Certainly, that would be the case for those in the rare breeds, still exhibiting here in Miscellaneous and AKC Open Shows. Entries in those breeds are likely to be many times greater than the typical, singleton entries in this country.
Would it surprise you to know that some of the most distinguished and experienced AKC breeders, exhibitors, professional handlers, and judges attend the World Show annually—and without dogs of their own? You may ultimately decide to do the same. Not having a dog to care for, groom, and show gives you the freedom to wander, chat with famous breeders from around the globe, watch the judging of many breeds you admire, and take in the pageantry of a World Show. Every host country proudly puts its own spin on the event, often with music and pyrotechnics. You may discover a kennel that has produced dogs you like, a breeder you wish to begin working with, and perhaps even put a face to a name whose dogs you already have in your pedigrees.
Exploring a foreign country, sampling exotic food and beverages, and immersing yourself in a new (to you) culture, perhaps in the company of fellow breed fanciers from around the world, can be an unforgettable, life-changing experience.
The 2026 World Dog Show will take place next June in Bologna, Italy. Start perusing your FCI Breed Standards now, and consider attending, with or without your dog.
