Luxembourg Dog Show, 31 March – 1 April 2012

Mr Nicky Schwab

When was the first edition of the show held and how did it develop?

According to the archives from the Saint-Hubert Club du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, a Hunting Dog show was held on May 29th, 1927, in combination with a shooting competition.

The "Section Canine" was created in 1928 and in 1929 the "Livre des Origines Luxembourgeois" (L.O.L., the studbook of Luxembourg) was set up.

Since 1929, Luxembourg is a member of the FCI.

In the following years, some dog shows were held; however, the number of entries is not known.

After WWII, everything started again, although slowly. In 1952, a dog show had to be cancelled because of rabies.

1965: the "Section Canine" changed to "Union Cynologique du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg" (UCL).

The members were (and still are):

• the Centrale du chien d'Agrément;
• the Centrale du Chien de Chasse;
• the Centrale du Chien de Police et de Garde;

Many successful dog shows were organised by these three members.

Let’s now turn to times I can remember myself:

Two dog shows were held annually:

A national edition, which entry was of about 300 dogs at the beginning of the eighties and an international one which entry was between 1,500 and 2,000 dogs.

• 1986: one of the first European dog show was organised.
• March 1992: the 46th international dog show was held, with already 3,400 dogs.
• 1994: change from the national dog show to an international one with, from its start, 1,960 dogs.
• 1996: 52th International and European dog show with 6,758 entries. Since then, the entries to international dog shows have increased.
• 53th dog show in September 1996: 2,180 dogs
• 54th dog show in March 1997: 3,275 dogs
• 82th in March 2011: 5,500 dogs
• 83th in November 2011: 4,696 dogs
• 84th in March 2012: 5,187 dogs

Are you happy about this year's edition?

Although last year’s entries could not be reached, success is still with us and we feel very proud.

How « international » can this event be considered (Judges, exhibitors etc.)?

The judges and the exhibitors who are visiting us come from all over the world. On every edition, I have the impression that I am organising a European dog show and even sometimes, a world dog show. The judges officiating during the last two dog shows came from 14 different countries for the 84th edition and from 21 countries for the 85th edition. The exhibitors came from 30 different countries for the 84th edition and from 35 countries for the 85th edition.

What is your strategy (if any) to attract more exhibitors, public and media's attention?

Our strategy is very simple: welcoming the dogs and their owners and treating them with respect and not only charge them the entry fee and then forget about them.

Did you have to take into consideration specific circumstances (social, economic, country-specific, etc.) when preparing and organising this big event?

Such circumstances do not influence our organisation, at least for now, and we hope that this will last for as long as possible.