Dubai: Owners and their purebred dogs turned out for what organisers called the first internationally sanctioned pure breed dog show in Sharjah on Friday.
Organised at the Sharjah Kennel Centre (SKC), in cooperation with Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), the full-day event was held to educate owners and groomers of pure-breed dogs on the importance of caring for the health and well-being of their furry friends.
At least 90 dogs of various purebred types also took part in a National Competition for Pure Breed Dogs and judged for conformity to respective breed standards.
Yousuf Al Hosani, director of the Sharjah kennel Centre, said the UAE houses thousands of pure-breed dogs and the show’s mission was to enhance communication among owners and groomers, offer support and training, and provide important information about the necessary medical services required for optimal dog health.
“This is the first national pure-breed dog show to be held in the UAE, matching the requirements of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) [the largest international federation of kennel clubs], based in Thuin, Belgium. Many of the participants got to learn how to deal with male and female breeds, and the many prevalent diseases and preventive measures to help ensure pure breed dogs’ health,” he said.
Al Hosani said the Sharjah Kennel Centre, which opened in September last year and has so far registered 200 dogs, conducts training courses and issues identity cards and birth certificates, in accordance with globally adopted procedures and regulations, as well as organises events and competitions as per global best practices.
“We are ambitious about getting internationally organised, and so by holding the show we are one step closer. With events like these, people can get to know more about the services we provide and even get help on how to own a dog in the UAE.”
The competition saw dogs compete in four categories.
The winners were selected at the end of the day where two international judges made the final decisions in accordance with globally adopted procedures and regulations of the most recent international norms and standards in FCI.
