The site was last updated on
24 Aug 2000
The World Dog Show took place in
Milan, Italy. It took four days starting on 9:00pm and ending on 17:00pm. All
the rings were always full of dogs, I even caught the photo of the young females
Labrador class that had 32 bitches in it!
On the first day, the Sighthounds (Saluki, Wippet, Borzoi etc), Hound dogs, and
Spitz dogs (Husky, Samoyad, Alaskan Malamute). Because I landed on that
day morning, I was a little late and missed the Sighthounds although I did find
some good looking Salukis and Borzois. The dogs on group #6 (hound dogs) some
were very top quality dogs but others were handled very bad - the dogs could
have taken better places in those classes (specially puppies). The Spitz dogs
(group #5) were very good, it was fun jus to sit there and was those dogs.
On the second day of the dog show, the Terriers, hunting/pointing dogs and the
Retrievers + Spaniels were judged. I must say that I think ALL the big champions
in the Terrier group came to the show, all dogs were so good and very known. If
you were looking for a dog to breed yours, that was the right place to find it!
In the Pointing group the German Pointers were just amazing (!!!) I have never
saw so many good dogs in one place. It seemed that the breeders took the perfect
statue of the breed and shaped a real dog into that image. The Dalmatians
weren't as good the the Pointers, but very well handled. The Retrievers, I
think, were one of the best groups showed on that day, I took some photos of the
dogs I found better that others. There was a breeder of Nova
Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever that showed about 5 or 6 dogs, and I remember
that when I came to the dogs, first thing they did was jump at me to lick me and
play. If anyone had thought of having this dog for children, do so!
On the third day, there were shown the Sheepdogs/Cattle Dogs, Dutchounds, and
toy dogs. All I can say about that day, is that I fell in love with a big brown
Dutchound and that the three Old English Sheepdogs won in the breeders
competition, is there anything else I need to say?
Just beautiful dogs!
On the last day, there were shown the Schnauzers, Dobermans + Pinschers and the
Doga (giant) breeds. I found there a beautiful Anatolian Shepherd that behaved
very well, usually these dogs have a very 'warm' temperament. Also, A Leonberger
found me, a BEAUTIFUL 1.5 years old male had me under him ( and I'm talking here
60kg piece of dog!) but he was so gentle, also, if you are looking for a dog for
children and you CAN afford or want a big dog, take a Leonberger!
Beside the breeds rings there were two others;
*the Agility Ring
*Obedience Ring
Both rings worked the whole day long and dogs competed with their owners. The
Agility dogs were less good than I expected. Many of them had many problems with
the "Stepping Points" and other refused so many time till they had to
be out of the competition because they had more than 25 points (you get 5 points
to each refuse). In the Obedience ring you could see mostly Border Collies,
shepherds and some hunting dogs. The obedience was very hard and the Border
Collie took the first place out of all the dogs. The Obedience was few levels of
exercises which the dog had to do, sometimes WITH the handler. I must say that
the handlers did a fine work and I hope that many dig owners will learn to
control their dogs as good as that.