32 HOTdog 3-4 / 2016 MIDNIGHT IN

MOSCOW w o russia. russia.

Or strangers in the night... g Sh

Another massive inter-

23-26.06.16 national event is done and dusted but what a

o week we experienced world at the Crocus Centre in Moscow writes Vince Hogan 2016 A show that had one of the most traumatic build Official Results ups in FCI World Dog Show provided by D history came through and The RKF /Russian Kennel delivered a memorable Club/ event. A spectacular dog show held in a massive

d show venue was scruti- nised by the FCI, top judg- es from around the world,

l exhibitors and world dog press alike. In the end, we all agreed the show had been a great success.

Was it perfect? No. Were there lessons to be learned...no question. But by and large the RKF prob- ably surprised an awful lot of people by managing to put on a world class show in such a short time... given the wrangling that Wor All photos by All photos . HD. Feofanova and Oleg Bochkov Natalia World Dog Show ‘16. Moscow • Main Topic Photo by HOTdog © HOTdog 33 34 HOTdog 3-4 / 2016

Sculptures of Marina Ostrovskaya /Russia/

Ticket window Sculptures of Marina Ostrovskaya /Russia/ WDS 2016. Russia. Moscow

Julia and Roman Gunchenko «Monge» official trade booth /Russia/

Main Topic • World Dog Show ‘16. Russia World Dog Show ‘16. Moscow • Main Topic

had taken place up until a month or two ago. The FCI had taken the unu- sual step of appointing a special ‘observer’ to make sure operations were go- ing to plan in the set up following a disrupted build up period; Stefan Stefik previously ran the WORLD DOG SHOW in and as a Russian and Eng- lish speaker proved to be the right man for the job.

He sat side by side with the RKF President Alexan- «Bosch» official trade booth der Inshakov at the press conferences each day and ironed out any problems that cropped up. Day one did throw up some points

that needed correcting in WDS 2016. Russia. Moscow the main ring, but as the show progressed and con- fidence and experience grew, things got better.

• SPECIAL EVENT

When we all arrived at the showground on Wednesday for the set up it was immediately clear that someone somewhere had thrown a lot of money at the staging of this spe- Stefan and Olga Sinko /Slovenia/ cial event for Russia. Mas- sive poster hoardings pro- claimed the show in town, all featuring the president Mr Inshakov, clearly not someone to shirk the lime- light! The Crocus centre was huge, spotlessly clean and beautifully air-con- ditioned. (Not for exam- ple like at the NEC where it can be freezing under the giant blowers and hot away from there!) The graphics decorating the hall were stupendous, high quality and clearly very expensive and put together by a company called Simpateka which had been central to the

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Claudio de Giuliani /Italy/, Natalia Trots /Russia/ «Beaphar» official trade booth

Olga Shilova /Russia/ Irina and Polina Hapaeva /Russia/ WDS 2016. Russia. Moscow

Katarina Satton /Russia/, Rafael Malo Alcrudo /Spain/ Ekaterina Kashcheeva /Russia/

Main Topic • World Dog Show ‘16. Russia World Dog Show ‘16. Moscow • Main Topic

Olympic staging in Sochi. At the entrance a canine art exhibition had been staged which also drew a lot of attention. Every ring had rows of well positioned and secure chairs, lovely blue carpet, cleaned every night and what’s more live stream- ing from every ring, every day. Each ring had a large plasma screen TV with the ring number and class de- tails displayed. All exhibi- tors were protected by a Denis Yushkov /Russia/, Roberto Velez Pico /Puerto Rico/, Hubert secure area where access Grabowski /Poland/ was only allowed with your exhibitors pass. All ex- hibitors had free access to special installed electricity points in the grooming ar-

eas. WDS 2016. Russia. Moscow

The main ring looked like a massive blue soccer pitch with a huge stage and electronic screen as a backdrop.

• Get the picture?

I certainly heard NO complaints about how ex- hibitors had been treated or the conditions for their dogs.

What about the dogs you may ask. Well if you added in the various spe- cialities and the Interra (Terrier) show there were over 20,000 dogs at the show overall but it never appeared crowded. Mind you, the halls could have housed Lufthansa jumbo jets ten times over and there were about five halls in use. I never made it to two of them...bit of a hike, but there again we were so busy in Hall 13 we did not have the time. As read- ers will know, I am always based on the OUR DOGS Official Booth of the FCI Youth Team at WDS 2016, Moscow stand which I mention as

HOTdog 37 38 HOTdog 3-4 / 2016

WDS 2019 official Booth. Andy Gong /China Kennel Union/, Harry Kamisato /Japan/

Olga Alexandrova /Russia/ WDS 2016. Russia. Moscow

Ernst von Scheven /Kynoweb, Meet the Breed. Welsh Corgi Pembroke Netherlands/

Main Topic • World Dog Show ‘16. Russia World Dog Show ‘16. Moscow • Main Topic

it appeared to be the ONLY non Russian stand in the whole show.

There were by definition, many Russian winners as the number of internation- al dogs was less than nor- mal, with fears about the show taking place, visa re- quirements etc. The same applied to ‘foreign’ trade stands.

All fears were unfounded in the end it appeared. Stands in general were Nicolas Pineiro /Russia, Barbara Zanieri /Italy/ very high quality; not as many as at Crufts or , but there were plenty to make shopping worthwhile. WDS 2016. Russia. Moscow The Russian Federation issued its post show press release which gave us an insight into some of the facts and figures of the show as follows: “This was a World Dog Show which brought to- gether 26,500 participant and impressed partici- pants with its scale and organization. Within four days over 50,000 owners and breeders of dogs and European Dog show 2016 // official Booth. more than 100 000 guests visited 6 pavilions of IEC «Crocus Expo». Spacious breed rings, sponsors pa- vilions/stands and the magnificent main ring al- together covered the area of 84 thousand square me- ters. Handlers with their dogs came from all parts of Russia - from Kalinin- grad to Kamchatka, - but also from Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Moscow gathered representatives from more than 70 countries.

As for foreign dogs, the largest number came from Chris Chou /Taiwan/ Finland - 545 dogs.

HOTdog 39 40 HOTdog 3-4 / 2016

Slightly fewer exhibitors for posterity. were from Ukraine - 366 The founder of the RKF 311 dogs were Belarus; You cannot control traffic and past President, Eu- 225 - Italy; 166 - Poland; conditions, but be warned, gene Yerusalemsky, was 161 - Latvia; 151 - Esto- if you ever do go to a show given the honour of judg- nia. in Moscow, the roads are ing best in show in his One dog represented like a flowing river of con- home town and country. He Chile, and the same for stant traffic, sometimes clearly revelled in the role Uruguay, Japan and Rwan- four lanes wide and al- but gave everyone a fair da.” ways busy. Fortunately the chance in the main ring, journey to the official ho- moving around the mas- So that was the official tel where the media were sive space, all dogs being view. It also seemed to also based never seemed filmed and live streamed me that the Far East had to exceed thirty minutes... and thankfully more peo- a good representation with the Crowne Plaza was the ple there to improve the exhibitors and visitors hub of activity as a base atmosphere. Some famous from Philippines, Taiwan, for judges and organisers dogs in the line up could Thailand and of course and this was also very high not dissuade Eugene from China, host nation for quality and well organised. giving the final nod to the 2019. The China Kennel much Union had a stand at the • BEST IN SHOW to the delight of the home show as part of the build crowd. up to the show in Shang- The official part of the hai. closing ceremony of the Eugene said afterwards event ended with the sol- “The first time I judged • Downsides? emn passing the FCI flag Fine Lady in IDS “Russia - to the next country- or- 2014”, where she was my Charging for the public to ganizer of the World Dog Best Junior in the breed. sit in the main arena was Show, to the president of a big mistake; first two the German Kennel Club Even then, she won in days had empty seats all Peter Friedrich, who also strong competition, show- round. It seemed to im- gave the event the high- ing a magnificent type, prove over the weekend est praise, and promised impressive exterior, stun- as they dropped the price to organize a show of the ning drive and reach when and maybe by late Sun- same magnitude in Leip- moving and a brilliant day, some people were let zig 2017. In fact both the show temperament. At the in free. The VIP area was opening and closing cer- last European Show-2015 packed with judges and emonies were quite dra- in Oslo she deservedly be- kennel club people from matic featuring dancers, came the European Cham- around the world so the drummers and more! pion and convincingly won atmosphere picked up. But the Group 2. It was only it did take some time to In response to these one step to the BIS, and get this message across to warm reviews RKF Presi- she made the move. To- the organisers. dent Alexander Inshakov day, the Fine Lady is in top said that Russia is ready shape and at the top of her The important press area to compete for the right to career. She is really top was very badly sited by host the European Cham- of the Top, and I’m very the main ring as we had to pionship among dogs in proud of her victory!” conduct daily press meet- 2021. ings with extremely loud • AN AGREED SUCCESS music from the dog danc- Many exhibitors seemed ing competitions in the pleased with the decision It’s always worth a look WDS 2016. Russia. Moscow background, and press to stage the next world at what others say about a passes seemed to be in show in Germany and this show and nowadays online short supply at times. The surely will be another feedback is almost instan- worlds dog press did, how- great event with an entry taneous. ever, seem to turn out in topping 20,000 in Novem- force to record the show ber 2017. Here are some comments

Main Topic • World Dog Show ‘16. Russia World Dog Show ‘16. Moscow • Main Topic from social network on the sian black terrier FINE Jan Busta (the Czech Re- show from visitors from LADY S ZOLOTOGO GRA- public). outside Russia: DA, owner Ekaterina Zait- seva. • WORLD CHAMPION- From India, “The biggest By the age of there FINE SHIP DOG DANCING event FCI completed - nice LADY S ZOLOTOGO GRADA dogs, top judges panel & had already received the Regarding the individual over all awesome arrange- “Best Junior” title at the competitions, Polina Ilina ment & management by show “Russia. and a RKF..wonderful show ,re- RKF President’s Cup” in LINIYA GRACII ILIM YAN ally happy to meet old 2014 and won the Best in became the world champi- friends, make new friends 2nd group at the European on in 2016 in the discipline ... Feel good ...Congrats Dog Show 2015 in Oslo. of “Heelwork to music”. all winners ... Bye bye Moscow ... See U again ...” Second place went to a In the discipline “Free- dog of a well-known Eu- style” first place went to And from Hungary, “Back ropean kennel name Mul- Yvonne Belin and a Border home from the World Dog ti-champion - American Collie JEWEL DEL MULI- Show and I have to say it Cocker Spaniel VERY VIGIE NO PRUDENZA BRAINS ‘N was one of the best organ- HULUBERLULU, owned by BEAUTY (Switzerland), the ised WORLD DOG Shows Heidi Kangas, Sanna Varti- second was Lucy Imbergo- ever! Well done RKF!! We ainen and Terhi Korhonen. va and a Belgian Shepherd enjoyed every moment!” Lakenois DESPERADO OD WDS 2016. Russia. Moscow The third was short- SUCHE HORY (Italy). That says it all. haired Weimaraner DOC N CAMELOT’S HEAVEN CAN So like Italy last year, the WAIT, owners Edwin Len- FCI WORLD DOG SHOW aerts, Tonie Finch, Linda exceeded all expectations Van Der Sichel from the and proved many com- United States of America. mentators wrong. Another Russian dog took And finally, the show also the fourth place - Rho- provided a first in that the desian Ridgeback MAKAO President Mr Alexander LINE ATUIN ART, owner Al- Inshakov actually sang at exander Ovchinnikov. the official dinner, no, not Midnight in Moscow, but “The Best Junior” in Strangers in the Night..... show: And, by the way, if you don’t believe me I have 1st place - the video... SHUT UP AND KISS ME Mr Inshakov also sang in DELL’ALBERICO, own- the main ring with a back- er and breeder Stefano ing group of five lady sing- Paolantoni (Italy) ers which throws down a challenge perhaps to the 2nd place - Afghan VDH for Leipzig next year. Hound SUNWARD OPTIMA, Herr Peter Friedrich...start owner A. Volodina (Rus- practicing now! sia); 3rd place - Welsh Corgi Vince Hogan Pembroke ANDVOL KLE- Editor in Chief OUR DOGS MENTINA (N / B), owner O. www.ourdogs.co.uk Savko (Russia);

• FINAL RESULTS 4th place - Wirehaired Rabbit Dachshund U KNOW The winner was a Rus- I LIKE IT VITORAZ, owner

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