by Sandra Russell
(using information supplied by Cães de Fato)
Photos: Marco Flavio Botelho
(Courtesy Cães de Fato)
Something of a change of scenery for the 2004 World show which, for the first time since 1972 is to be held in Brazil, South America. A very exotic sounding venue to those of us living in Europe, and certainly here in the UK, where exhibitors are only just getting their heads around the idea of competing in Europe! In all honesty, most of us Europeans know very little about Brazil itself, never mind the dog show scene in South America.
Enlightenment will certainly occur in the coming years, since Brazil is only the first of three World shows that will be held in South America in the near future. Quite apart from this years show in Rio De Janeiro during the 15th to the 18th of April, the 2005 show is to be held in Buenos Aires - Argentina, and the 2007 World show in Mexico. During these years, we will undoubtedly learn a great deal more about the quality dogs that are bred and owned in South America.
In previous years, only one or two dogs from South America have ventured into Europe, and the World shows that have been held there, and it is likely that few will be venturing from Europe to compete over there. prestigious though the title of World show winner is, exhibiting in such distant parts would be a hugely expensive undertaking, and it is thought that most of the entries will come from South America and the United States.
At the time of writing no entry details were available from the Brazilian Kennel Club, but as the last entry date for the show was the 10th of March, we will probably have to wait until the show takes place for this information. A visit to the Brazilian Kennel Club website: www.cbkc.org/mundial/ does not tell us a great deal apart from the schedule, the judges (with photos), the entry form, plus information on accomodation and how to travel to Brazil. This is available in English and Portugese. There appear to be 20 judges from Brazil itself, plus nine drawn from several other South American countries. In addition there are three from the U.S.A, Betty Leininger, Ronald Menaker, and Ed Bivin; Uwe Fischer and Horst Kliebenstein from Germany; Karl Reinsiger from Austria; Stefan Sinko from Slovenia; Luis Pinta Texeira and Carla Molinari from Portugal; Alfonso Thovar Y Del, Maria Del Carmen Gil Polo, and Juan Nevada from Spain; Hans Müller from Switzerland; and Sonia Bellan Faletti and Rino Rosciarlli from Italy; making a total of 12 European judges, all together making an interesting judging panel.
Due to the kindness of Sergio Gebram, who works for “Cães De Fato” - the leading Brazilian dog magazine, - we have obtained some interesting information about the 1972 show. This was the first FCI World dog show to be held outside Europe. Previously there had been a few held in Western Europe during the early to mid 1930’s, and a few in the 1950’s. After the Brazil show, things changed, and the F.C.I World show became an annual event, with member countries taking it in turns to host the event, although this is the first to be held in South America since the original 1972 show.
It was interesting to note among the early elite International judging panel, names such ar the U.K’s Joe Cartlege, Tibor Brody - (later to become President of the Hungarian Kennel Club), -and many other top names appearing prominantly in the judges list for the 1972 World show. Both the above judged a group, and a number of breeds. At that show the ten group judges came from Italy, Portugal, Brazil, Yugoslavia, UK, Austria, Sweden, Hungary, and Australia. There was a Belgian judge Nizet Leemans judging the Best South American dog, and Dr Robert Bandel from Germany judged Best In Show. The Best In Show winner on that occasion was a German Shepherd Dog, Donnar de Nordval, who was owned by Olney Diaz. This good looking Shepherd was bred in Brazil by Angelo de Agostini, who handled him to his Best In Show award, the dog was 5 years old at the time of his win.
Imported
We are told that in those days, British bred dogs were pretty dominant in the show rings of Brazil and, at this show, four of the ten group winners, had been imported from the U.K.
These were the group 3 winning Wire Fox Terrier, a multiple all breeds BIS winner, Port.Ch.Shoeman’s Laster (a son of UK.Ch.Weltona Has It); the group 5 winning Bloodhound Braz.Ch.Barilla Larissa; the Group 6 winning Basset Hound, Burranvos bergomasque, and the Group 9 winning Yorkshire Terrier Int.& Braz.Ch.Lunagaya of Yadnum. The Group 7 (Weimeraner) and 10 (Afghan) winners were also imports. These were both from the United States. The remainder appear to have been locally bred, and only one was listed as being owned outside Brazil, this was the Group 2 winning Boxer Urag.Braz.Ch.. Menelao von Stadtpark, owned by Herbert Guttmann from Uruguay.
The number of European judges invited to officiate at the 1972 show is remarkable when one realises that the total entry for the show was only 732. Of these the largest breed entry came from the German Shepherds, with 221 animals who were judged oustide in a local soccer field!
The Brazilian K.C was founded on the 10th of November 1922, in Rio De Janeiro, and the first recognised show took place on July 14th 1923 in a car park. From there on shows began to develop on a more regular basis in the various regions of Brazil. The show rules were a mixture of both European and Anglo-American systems, and the judges were drawn from the ranks of local fanciers who had attended shows abroad, and thus had some International experience to base their decisions on. From those days, the shows grew larger. many British judges were invited to adjudicate, the first being Mr Holland Buckley in 1938. The names of other British judges who have followed in his footsteps read like a “Who’s Who” of elite International British judges, past and present. However as Brazil developed closer ties with the F.C.I, becoming an associate member in 1934,judges in more recent years have come mainly from other F.C.I. countries. In 1971, Dr Antonio Barone Forzano (a former President of the Brazil K.C), was elected President of the FCI, in order to celebrate the BKC’s 50th Anniversary, which also coincided with the sesquicentennial (150th) Anniversary of Brazil’s Independence.
What then can we expect for 2004? Some thirty years have passed, and it will be most interesting to see for ourselves the quality of the creme de la creme of South America’s showdogs. The majority of the winners are likely to be locally bred, since the number of dogs imported by Brazil has fallen dramatically in more recent years. Many Europeans are intending to attend the show (most without their dogs), together with members of the World Dog Press. whether we go or not, many Dog magazines throughout the world are likely to be unveiling photos of the winners. Our Dogs being among the foremost naturally!
What can we expect? Numerically, a vastly increased entry from the ‘72 figures. A glance at the registration figures of the CBKC for the year 2,000. show a total of 97,149 Pedigree dogs coming from 116 breeds. The largest registrations coming from Rottweilers (14,058), followed by Yorkshire Terriers (10,057) although we understand the Yorkies have taken over the top spot in more recent years. Labrador Retrievers (8,462), Poodles (7,725), and German Shepherds (4,083). Not so different to the popular breeds in other countries at first glance, but further down the list there are a lot of surprises. The most popular of the two Brazilian native breeds is the Fila Brasileiro in 12th place with 2,155 registrations, but Border Collies are only one step higher than the Hungarian Kuvasz, with 116, and 113 registrations respectively. Irish setters (71), Cairns (31), Briard (10), Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (7), yes that IS seven!, and Papillons (2)! Needless to say the popularity of any breed will depend to a great extent on how the breed can cope with the climate. We must remember that much of Brazil sits on the equator, and the country inland is dominated by the largest Rain Forest in the world, therefore suggesting considerable humidity and very high temperatures.
What are their dogs like? A preview of Brazil’s top dogs as displayed on the pages of the Countries leading dog magazine Cães de Fato, (visit www.caesdefato.com.br) reveal many spectacularly beautiful dogs. Having been a professional dog photographer for a great many years, the writer can assure readers that it is not possible to make a poor dog look really good, no matter how clever the photography and digital enhancement. Brazil has some superb dogs, and many of the those depicted in this magazine would make any fellow breeder drool! Exhibitors from the U.S.A and other countries cannot expect an easy ride.
Over the past 30 years, Brazilians have proved themselves to be highly skilled dog breeders, having established their breeding stock on top bloodlines from around the world, they have gone on to produce first class show dogs that could win anywhere in the world, and dare one say it, even at Crufts!
Brazil has two native breeds, the Fila Brasileiro, a large and impressive mastiff type dog, which stands approx 25 to 30 inches (about 75 cm) at the shoulder, and weighs in at about 90 to 100 lbs (about 50 kilos). It comes in a wide variety of solid colours (except white or grey), and is often brindled. The second breed is the much smaller Brazilian Terrier, which weighs only 15 to 20 lbs (about 10 kilos) and is about 14 - 15 inches (35 - 45 cms) at the shoulder. They are tri-coloured, the one pictured is the more unusual red tricolour. (See photos of both breeds, right)
The 2004 World show looks all set to produce a most excellent competition. In the writers mind though there is only one drawback. However good the winning animals, dare ANY Best In Show winner, from ANY country and from ANY leading show, truly claim to be the best in the world? The F.C.I. need to look to their laurels. We are now in the 21st Century, and NO show that does not include ALL the top winners of the world, can possibly dare to call itself a WORLD show, nor can it produce a truly WORLD Champion. Surely it is time to rethink the whole business, by having regional heats throughout the world, with the winners of each coming together in a truly WORLD competition. Many countries have a Champion of Champions competition in these days, and these are drawn from the top winning dogs in each country throughout the preceeding year. Surely part of the prize could be in the form of sponsorship for these top dogs to compete against one another, first on a regional basis - Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, Australasia South America Canada and the United States (sorry if I have missed anyone out!). Finally on a world basis.
Imagine the prestige of such a win, the publicity, the attraction for sponsors? Perhaps with a really superb monetory or other prize for the final winner. Such a show, or series of shows would REALLY attract world wide publicity, and show the world dogdoms finest. Come on Kennel Club’s, F.C.I, Sponsors, start to get the vision, there is no doubt you could do it between you. The winning dogs could have their expenses for participation paid either by sponsors, pre show dinners, or a small levy on show entry fees, and or registration fees, to cover the cost. It CAN be done. Let this Second Brazilian World Show prove once again, to be the turning point in the history of World dog showing, and lead the way into a TRULY international competition.
The “Elharlen Kennels” of Harold & Eleanor Foley (Canada) has exported at least 20 Boxers to Brazil, and about the same number to other Latin American countries. Perhaps the most famous, currently being exhibited is Foley, Pontes & DeAguiar’s Can.Braz.&Int.Ch.Elharlen’s Special Blend.
The Smooth Fox Terrier. Botelho & Bonfiglioli’s Am.Braz.Arg.Urug & Port.Ch.
Gatsby’s Take Charge N’Sportinfld, not only won “Dog of the Year” in 2002,
but also sired a number of top show prospects.
Bred in the world famous Spanish kennels of Carlos Fernandez-Renau & Juan Cabrera, Int.Ch.Del Zarzoso Gula Gula, was exported to Mrs Gallo (Argentina) where she won “Dog of the Year” 2,000, and was then campaigned in several countries. With over 50 all breed BIS wins to her credit she is a Champion in Argentina, Brazil (shown in co-ownership with Mrs Perrone), Chile, Mexico, Portugal & Uruguay.
Pekingese were once very popular in Brazil, but then disappeared from the show rings for quite a long period, until a good number of quality Pekes were imported in the late nineties. These certainly left their mark on the breed, and many became top winners, as exemplified by Baptista & Fernando’s Int.Am.Braz.& Port.Ch. Taloola Mr Dream for Delwin, who became “Dog of the Year” in 2001.
The “Silkrock” kennels of Mr Biscoto has produced many top winners in Whippets including at least a dozen AKC champions, bred in co-ownership with American breeders. The bitch Int.&Braz.Ch.Silkrock Too Hot To Handle is one to watch in 2004!
