Traditionally, the show season in Croatia starts with double CACIB shows in our capital city – Zagreb.

The Croatian Kennel Club hosted a 2-day show in Zagreb on March 9th and March 10th. There has been a total entry of almost 2,000 dogs from 23 countries, distributed in 190 breeds. We had appointed a panel of 16 judges for these shows, 9 of them foreign and 7 national.

Numerous exhibitors, a lot of them faithful to Zagreb shows, rushed to our show season opening, while owners of the FCI Group IX breeds (except Poodles) had additional bonus, in terms of Specialty Show which took place on Friday, March 8th, in the afternoon hours.

As per usual, great organisation at the Zagreb Fair show premises attracted 60% of foreign exhibitors, gladly returning to Croatia where they feel like home. The Croatian Kennel Club, as the organiser, certainly found a way to put its shows on the list of mandatory destinations of exhibitors worldwide.

Saturday's show started with intonation of the Croatian national anthem, presentation of the judges panel and delegate. Mr Damir Skok, president of the Croatian Kennel Club, welcomed everyone present and wished them a pleasant show, with great results and success.

During the usual forenoon judging in rings, visitors had an opportunity to watch the complementary programme that took place in the main ring. We had various demonstrations, showcasing Agility, Obedience, Rescue and Guide dogs, Military and Police dogs.

In the afternoon, everyone's eyes were focused on the BIS programme and the choice of the most beautiful dogs.

Since last year, the Croatian Kennel Club has live broadcast of the revue programme and choice of the Best In Show of Zagreb shows. Live streaming has been provided via our website www.hks.hr, so dog show fans from all around the world could have felt like being in Zagreb and at Zagreb shows. Very few dog show organisers can boast with such presentation of the shows, so the Croatian Kennel Club can be rightfully proud of CACIB Zagreb organisation.

In a great competition of Junior dogs, the choice of the final three was made by the well-known and respected Irish judge, Mr Seamus Oates. According to his opinion, Junior Best in Show was Weimaraner, Storm In Dacota, owned by Vaccari & Brassini and Kan Trace. Runner-up was Tibetan Mastiff, Sauron Bisurman, owned by Klara Benko from Serbia and third placed was an Old english sheepdog, Lucky Strike Bob Love, owned by Anita Jaksa from Slovenia.

The honour to judge Best In Show was given to Mrs Valentina Ivanishcheva from Russia. With 10 group representatives in the main ring, her BIS was winner was the one from FCI Group IX - Lhasa apso, Chic Choix Adrenaline Rush, owned by Matejcic & Smolic & Kares & Tiitinen. Reserve BIS winner was Wirehaired Foxterrier from Brasil, Travella Stage Star, owned by Victor Malzoni Jr., while third placed dog was Bulmastiff, I Bravi Ragazzi End of The World, owned by Ida Frasetto from Italy.

Sunday’s finals gathered almost the same dogs, but with a different schedule of judges.

During Sunday’s BIS programme, we announced the Top Croatian Junior Handlers for 2012. Winner of the Junior Group was Miss Carla Ivancic, while winner of the Senior Group was Miss Laura Lujanac. Mr Damir Skok congratulated both of the winners, presenting them appropriate diplomas.

Numerous visitors were joined by City Mayor, Mr Milan Bandic, a regular visitor of the Zagreb shows, accompanied by his Golden retriever Rudi. Traditionally, he is presenting the award to the Best In Show winner together with the president of the Croatian Kennel Club, Mr Damir Skok.

The Junior Best In Show was chosen by Mr Javier Sánchez Fernández from Spain. It was an American Staffordshire Terrier, Amigo Bella Olympia, owned by Andrijana & Adam Zenunay from Croatia. The runner-up was a Miniature Schnauzer pepper & salt, Mirta’s Haus A’Dorable, owned by Sandra Moslavac Brajsa from Croatia, while on the third place we had Cane Corso, Rothorma Sangue Magnifica, owned by the the same kennel from Serbia.

The Best In Show winner of the second day was chosen by Mrs Kornelija Butrimova from Lithuania. She had almost the same line up as the day before. Third placed dog was Wirehaired Foxterrier from Brazil, Travella Stage Star, owned by Victor Malzoni Jr. The Reserve BIS winner was Dalmatian, Dalmino Voodoo Vision, owned by Zeljka Halper Drazic from Croatia. Finally, the Best In Show winner for the second time that weekend was Lhasa Apso, Chic Choix Adrenaline Rush, owned by Matejcic & Smolic & Kares & Tiitinen.

The Zagreb International Shows opened the door of the new show season in Croatia and they were a kind of overture to quadruple international shows in Zadar, which will be accompanied by the International Champion of Champions competition. We are looking forward to see you in sun-bathed Zadar, imbued with sea scents, in a number one European destination this spring. Don't think these words are just a phrase – famous Alfred Hitchcock once said (while in Zadar), “This has to be the most beautiful sunset in the world!” It is up to you to see that for yourself!