Dog wellbeing at dog shows
Dog wellbeing is the primary right of every dog in the show!
Guidelines for dog wellbeing at the World Dog Show 2025 and Circuit Shows
By participating in a show organised by the Finnish Kennel Club, you agree to comply with all of the Finnish Kennel Club’s rules, guidelines and regulations, the non-compliance of which may lead to a sanction imposed by the Finnish Kennel Club’ Board or Ethical Committee. The Finnish Kennel Club’s guidelines and rules as well as these welfare guidelines for the World Dog Show 2025 are based on Finnish animal welfare legislation.
You can find our wellbeing guidelines attached below. Please read them carefully, as it is your responsibility as an exhibitor to take good care of your dog and ensure its wellbeing. You will find more detailed information on issues such as anti-doping, coat care, treatment of the dog, crates, enclosures and grooming tables and dogs in cars.
The Animal Welfare Act requires dogs to be treated with respect, and dog shows must not endanger their health or wellbeing. Ethical Guidelines of the Finnish Kennel Club applies to all those participating in dog activities organised by FKC. Finnish Kennel Club’s Dog Show Regulations emphasise the same.
- The wellbeing of dogs must always be a priority at dog shows.
- The exhibitor must take care of the wellbeing and good treatment of their dogs during the show and in preparation for the show.
- Dogs must not be mistreated and/or exposed to dangerous conditions. Failure to comply with this may result in removal from the show in question and a possible exclusion from shows.
- Dogs must not be treated with substances that have a negative effect on their wellbeing and health. This also applies to the treatment of the structure, shape or colour of the dog’s coat, as well as the dyeing of the skin and nose.
- Dogs may be removed from the ring if violations of Finnish legislation or the rules, instructions or regulations of the Finnish Kennel Club are detected. The common message of Finnish law and the Finnish Kennel Club’s guidelines is clear: the wellbeing of dogs is a prerequisite for show activities.
As an exhibitor, it is your responsibility to ensure that your dog has constant access to drinking water, sufficient time for rest, regular exercise and outdoor activities, safe equipment and to minimise the stress experienced by your dog. Taking care of wellbeing is based on both ethical and legal principles, and taking care of it also secures the future of dog show activities.
Wellbeing advisers
The Finnish Kennel Club has wellbeing advisers who move around the show venue to see how the exhibitors are taking the wellbeing of their dogs into account. The wellbeing advisers are trained by the Finnish Kennel Club. Their task is to promote the wellbeing of dogs primarily by advising and guiding exhibitors and, if necessary, by intervening in situations that endanger the dog’s wellbeing. They can acknowledge exhibitors who prioritise the overall wellbeing of dogs at shows with the Kiva Koirakko (Good Dog-Handler Team) recognition.
