The most awaited appointment for our four-legged friends came back to Monaco in a special September edition last weekend. The Exposition Canine Internationale de Monaco (Monaco International Dog Show) was held on Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th at Espace Chapiteau in Fontvieille by the will of Société Canine de Monaco – Monaco Kennel Club (member of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale – FCI) chaired by Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy (former vice-president).
An exciting edition at closed doors due to strict health measures involving both human beings and the furry friends. Not by chance, Monaco International Dog Show is grounded in the history of the Principality, being founded in 1927 by H.S.H. Princess Charlotte who chaired the expo until 1950 when she handed over the presidency to her daughter, Princess Antoinette, and then to Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy who held the post from 2011 until her death in 2020.
“We are one of the most respected Dog Association in the World with a long history behind where the CACIB (Certicat d’Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté) provided within this occasion has a great value”, pointed out Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, expressing her long-time passion for each type of dog.
More than seven hundred dogs representing 191 breeds from twenty-one different countries paraded during the two days to achieve the best result based on the scrupulous judgment of seven international judges appointed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Harmony of features, lines and forms according to each breed standards, healthy look in every detail, proper posture and education are some of the usual criteria evaluated.
As in previous editions, it was not so easy to declare the winners because of the high standard of the dogs that walked on the Monegasque ‘red carpet’. And this applied to all categories: Minor-Puppy (3 to 6 months), Puppy (6 to 9 months), Jeunes (9 to 18 months) and Veterans (from 7 years onwards). Special Breeds of the Year were the Irish Wolfhound (1st classified), the Whippet (3rd classified) and the Afghan Hound (2nd classified) whose effigy has been recently used to create a special Monaco’s stamp dedicated to this prestigious Dog Show.
A true ‘red carpet’ of unusual and rare dogs paraded in the Chapiteau and HelloMonaco was there to capture some feedbacks.
“I am really happy attending this pivotal event in Monaco and having my puppy in the final fills me with true joy”, highlighted Valérie Camera from the Nimes area (Southwest of France), cuddling her fluffy Neo’s Bushido, a prized German Spitz.
“Monaco event is always well organized and I am always pleased to come back with my top-ranked dogs”, underlined Yvette Micheau from Poitiers (Central France) ‘mother’ of Melody Des Alizès de l’Eden, a wonderful Peruvian Hairless dog awarded in Monaco several times as Olyana de l’Abbaye de Calmetie, a nice lady Phalène dog.
“It is always a pleasure to be present at this show despite the missing supporters which is very important to dogs as well as to us, humans”, stressed Irene Castelli from Italy introducing to Samarcanda ad Maiora, nicknamed Mr. Filippo, a remarkable Standard Poodle with a fantastic grooming. “I am so excited to come back to Monaco after attending the 2019 edition; this year is even more livable and I can enjoy my dog more while competing, which is what interests me”, stated Alessandra Rizzo from Italy playing with Akna Mountain Aven a magnificent and rare lady Canadian Eskimo.
“I am so thrilled to be at the Monaco Dog Show for the first time, been visiting the Principality since I was a child. My private and professional life is entirely dedicated to dogs, so I take care of them including my sweet beloved Brussels Griffon, Chewbecca, who had already been awarded as the best junior and breed”, concluded Elisa De Angeli, dog grooming expert from Ventimiglia (Italian border).
On Sunday afternoon, the final Best in Show Dog Parade among the top-ten preferred breeds of the 2021 edition put really under the spotlight dogs of varying size and morphology. The Bobtail breed took the third position, Alaskan Malamute breed was ranked in the second place while the German teckel was decreed with ovation as the best breed for 2021. The awards were given at the presence of H.R.H. Princess of Hanover and Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy. A great ending that gives hope for a new big edition in 2022.
