Who is the best dog? Spain organizes a global competition

LONDON, June 23 (Reuters) – From tiny dachshunds to huge mastiffs, more than 15,000 purebred dogs from dozens of countries barked and preened in Madrid on Thursday, vying for awards at the World Dog Show two years after the postponement of the event in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Giving Lola – a giant black poodle – the finishing touches, Spanish groomer Roberto Garcia said the most important thing for his charge was that she was happy and cared for.

“Yesterday she took a hot tub, they live like royalty,” he said.

The show features such popular breeds as dachshunds, also known as dachshunds, like the one a Ukrainian brought to the competition, as well as tiny Ukrainian flags.

“We are happy to be here at this exhibition, which is very prestigious all over the world and where people come from all countries. And we have overcome very difficult difficulties to come here,” said the owner, who s is only named Marlène. said.

Marlene, who said she was from the port city of Odessa, called for peace for her country which has been at war since the February 24 Russian invasion, which the Kremlin describes as a “special military operation”.

The event features 250 of the nearly 400 breeds recognized by the International Canine Federation and will see dogs compete in 70 rings until Sunday.

Dutchman Philippe Maier, who traveled two days by car to the show, was elated when his dog received his first award. “He did what he usually does, win,” he said.

The public also appreciated rare breeds such as the Peruvian Hairless Dog.

This is the third time that Spain has hosted the competition after the show in Valencia in 1992 and that in Madrid in 1983. This year there will be two world dog shows, including the current one in Madrid and one in Brazil in december.

Reporting by Guillermo Martinez and Elena Rodriguez; Written by Emelia Sithole-Matarise, edited by William Maclean

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