After a spectacular celebration of the Centenary of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, those of us who sit on the General Committee of the FCI set ourselves the task of carrying on with our work for another hundred years of services dedicated to dog lovers all over the world in an atmosphere of companionship and with a team working on targets which have been set with the aim of getting straight to grips with the challenges of the future.

One of the great challenges we face, in all Sections of the FCI, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, relates to laws which set out to restrict dog ownership and declare many of our current breeds to be dangerous. I am aware that all of the Sections of the FCI are engaged in legal battles either to prevent these laws being passed or to repeal those which are already in force. The FCI is keeping a close eye on this matter and working with our National Organisations to provide any support that may be needed.

Another area which awakened our organisation’s interest is the fashion for creating new breeds by crossing two already recognised ones. These crossbreeds, known as “boutique dogs” are now fetching ridiculously high prices. Our concern stems from the health of the animals and it is certainly true that these crossbreeds are often likely to produce dogs which suffer from genetic health problems, in addition to the fact that we do not approve of this practice as we consider it to be irresponsible on the part of the breeders who sell these animals.

In this edition I am presenting a very emotional article about the Canine Therapy Programme being run by the Puerto Rico organisation, the FCPR. It is difficult to explain how rewarding this is. Imagine a child with muscular atrophy who is paralysed and, the third time that a Basset Hound visits his bed, he tries to move his hands to show the dog he wants to stroke it! There can be no denying the positive effect our dogs have on society and that they have a special kind of love which can help to heal us.

Finally, I would like to highlight our vision, from which we draw real strength in order to maintain our global leadership as we promote the well-being of all dogs by means of our Basic Principles, our judges and our Commissions who do such excellent work considering that the health of dogs is the most important matter as far as their breeding standards are concerned.

I wish you every success in any forthcoming exhibitions in which you are taking part and I look forward to meeting you personally at our next World Dog Show which this year will be held in Salzburg (Austria) in May 2012.

Rafael de Santiago
FCI Vice-President