Tails wagging, coats freshly brushed and owners beaming with pride, an astounding number of furry friends participated in this year’s International Dog Show at Le Chapiteau in Fontvieille on 9 and 10 May. Over 1,350 dogs representing 258 breeds and 27 countries competed in front of nine international judges. This year’s featured breeds were Bichon Friesian, Bichon Havanese, Chinese Crested Dog, and Poodle.
Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, President of the Monaco Kennel Club and the Monaco Canine Society, welcomed the four-legged competitors to the tent. Several prizes were given out to various winners, including prizes for puppies, juniors and veterans. Junior handlers also received two prizes: Group 1 (5 to 9 years) and Group 2 (10 to 17 years).
Best in Show…
The big winner over the weekend was a Chow Chow named Notorious Star Bach, who won Best in Show. This highly decorated participant was born in 2018 and was bred by Lovas & Manea in Italy. The Chow Chow has won various awards, including International Champion (2023), Italian Champion (2021), Top Dog Supreme (2023), and Bob/World Winner (2024). Now, the fluffy dog can add Monaco International’s Best in Show to its long list of wins. In Second Place was a Standard Poodle named Charisma Of Victory Latamber. Third Place went to a Whippet named Majestrian Ikebana.
Qualifier for the Largest Dog Show in the World
In 2023, an agreement was signed between the International Monaco Dog Show and the Royal Kennel Club. The agreement means that if a dog wins in Monaco, it qualifies to participate in Crufts, the largest dog show in the world.
Celebrating its Centenary Next Year
The Monaco Canine Society was created almost one hundred years ago in 1927 by HSH Princess Charlotte. With her children, Princess Antoinette and Prince Rainier, Princess Charlotte inaugurated the 1st Canine Exhibition on the site of the Pigeon Shooting range located below the Terraces of the Casino.
In 1950, Princess Antoinette assumed the Presidency of the organization until 2011, when Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy continued the work of her mother and grandmother. Next year, the Monaco International Dog Show will be celebrating its centenary.
