They managed it! Who would have dared put their money on the FCI European Section's 2012 Show in Bucharest being such a resounding success? Victim of a smear campaign on the social networks (what power, what strength, often positive but at times also very harmful), the Asociatia Chinologica Romana (AchR) was able to keep a cool head, rising to the challenge and attracting more than 6,000 dogs to the Romanian capital. The AChR was able to leverage the smear campaign against it to promote the show, and the least we can say is that it was very successful in doing so. Congratulations to the whole Romanian team, brilliantly led by Mr C. Stefanescu and Mr P. Muntean.

Unfortunately, three of the canine world’s top personalities have recently left us and the FCI would like to pay tribute to them here...

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Yves De Clercq
FCI Executive Director
Dogs love humans, love dogs !

The Beauty and the Dog
Dr DVM Wim Van Kerkhoven, Viyo International

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is the supreme authority of canine culture worldwide. The FCI is responsible for safeguarding canine health and international dog activities to enhance the relations between dogs and humans.
The FCI celebrated its Centenary in 2011 by organising several commemorative events (special dog shows, the launch of its mascot “Cobby”, a canine symposium entitled Dog and Man: Quo vadis? Knowledge and perspectives and the FCI Centenary World Champion of Champions) and by publishing its Centenary Book.

In cooperation with Dr DVM Wim Van Kerkhoven, Viyo International, a conference was organised at the Library of Thuin, in October 2011, on the theme ‘’The Beauty and the Dog’’, in the framework of the celebration of the FCI Centenary (1911-2011). The theme highlights the fact that dogs have a more and more positive impact on our lives, focusing on all aspects of dogs’ interactions with humans.

Dogs contribute significantly in the improvement of our health and well-being. A number of spectacular stories highlight heroic acts of dogs, saving people’s lives. Dogs can be trained to be good family companions and friends. They can also be trained for innumerable tasks with amazing possibilities.
Dogs can pull sledges to provide transportation in Arctic cultures, are trained as police and army dogs, can help the disabled or be trained to provide friendship and comfort to ill and infirm people. From the rescue St. Bernard to the Sheltie/Shetland Sheepdog, dogs have proven themselves worthy partners in many endeavours.

Medical-response dogs assist medical professionals in the diagnosis of cancer, being trained to sniff out cancers with amazing results. They can be trained to assist an individual’s medical disability and alert their handlers about conditions before they even occur, such as bringing medications or the telephone in critical and life-threatening moments. They can provide assistance to impaired people, becoming the eyes or ears of their owner. They can also be trained to detect changes in a diabetic patient’s body chemistry.
Therapy dogs provide comfort and affection to people in hospitals and nursing homes. These dogs are legitimately therapeutic.

Dogs have a positive influence on the development of children’s ability to understand how someone else feels. Children who grow up with pets feel more empathy towards other people.
Dogs are also used in the fields of applied medical research and education. Most dogs used in animal testing are actually bred for this purpose by specialised companies. Experiment domains are biological research, applied environmental science, human and animal medicine and experimental surgical and dental procedures, as well as toxicology tests. Cosmetic testing is banned in the European Union. The debate on the ethics in animal testing is highly controversial and shows no sign of being resolved in a manner which would be satisfactory to everyone. Emotion and respect may be the ultimate determining factors in the belief that the benefits of animal testing outweigh the problems associated with the practice.


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To watch the complete presentation

For more articles and further information about these thrilling perspectives, contact
Dr DVM Wim Van Kerkhoven, Viyo International at or
Marie Luna Durán, FCI at