nouvelles - 07/06/2007 EUKANUBA WORLD CHALLENGE - États-Unis
par Karl DonvilEUKANUBA World Challenge
At the European Dog Show in Zagreb/Croatia Eukanuba was proud to organize a Press Conference to announce the first Eukanuba World Challenge in cooperation with the AKC and FCI. Only 40 dogs will be in competition, one per country. One dog will represent the USA, one Canada and one the UK, the 37 others will come from FCI countries (while the FCI represents no less then 84 countries!). Eukanuba will invite two people and the dog to Longbeach California for a week all expenses paid by Eukanuba and the price to win is worth 10.000$. The dog owners need to be member of the Eukanuba Breeders Club and must sign a contract with Eukanuba for the photo and testimonial rights for media activities pre and post the AKC Eukanuba Championship Show. The dog must be a 2007 CACIB winner and the breed must be recognized as and AKC breed (and what about the FCI breeds that are not recognized by the AKC?) The dogs will also represent their countries at the AKC/Eukanuba Championship 2007 where another prize of 50.000$ can be won.
I have mixed feelings about this. Who will select the ultimate dogs? A team of judges, OK, but who will select them? Which standard will be considered, AKC or BKC or FCI? What about the numerous breeds that are accepted by the FCI (338!), but not by AKC (180 only) of BKC?
Imagine the responsibility of the judges or organizations that will need to select the ultimate competing dogs that will represent the 37 countries?
I fear for a lot of jealousy amongst the breeders, judges, clubs, countries and Kennel Clubs! Why must it happen in America while this country will only have one representative. What will be the future of the cynology if a big commercial company will be involved with a lot of money and that will setup new rules?
No details are given on how and when the selection will take place and what the criteria of the FCI and the countries will be. I even fear that the national Eukanuba Breeders Club will encounter serious problems too as many members will be very suspicious and perhaps leave the club if they are not selected and consider themselves to be a better competitor as the one who has been selected to go.
Of course I applaud the fact that Kennel Clubs look for more interaction and we must give it a chance, but the formula is making me unhappy. What will be the future of our sport if so much money is involved? What will it mean to be the ultimate winner of this show? Will it be the most beautiful and perfect dog in the world?
I fear that FCI will loose its independence and needs to reconsider the meaning of sponsorship.
I think that the formula as presented is just too limited to the happy few and cause jealousy and problems. A show where all Kennel Clubs will be able to compete in a sportive way is to be applauded and there is no problem if a Sponsor is there to help financially, but it should be open to as much breeds, owners and countries as possible and certainly with a lot more then only 40 dogs like now.
I know that many people will agree with me partly or as a whole, but I am also aware that some people will hate me for writing my opinion. But I have a strong feeling that I must share my thoughts with you as the future of cynology can depend on this. I use to try to be as objective as any correct reporter should be. I leave it all up to you, I just wanted to share my thoughts and opinion with you. Feel free to have your own. And if you are one the delegates to go, I wish you success and enjoy anyway
