Thuin, Canine Capital of the World!

In 1954 the General Secretariat of the FCI settled in Thuin. It is curious to note that dog lovers throughout the world know the name of the town in which the FCI operates and offers the services that its 13 employees provide on a daily basis. Thuin now figures on the world map in the hearts of all dog enthusiasts on all continents! This is a reality that, although not on a grand scale, has not escaped the town’s elected representatives, who have on several occasions expressed their delight in counting an international organisation celebrating its centenary amongst their population of 14,650 inhabitants!

Conscious of the role that the FCI plays as an ambassador for Thuin, Philippe Blanchart – Acting Mayor – and the Town Council have named the city “Canine Capital of the World”. In this centenary year, this designation crowns the good relations between the FCI and the town that welcomes the Federation by focusing attention on Thuin, which would become a Mecca for dog fanciers, providing a positive window to the world by displaying knowledge, projects, initiatives and other breakthroughs concerning an animal that in this day and age has an important place in our society.

What could therefore be more natural than this designation knowing that Saint Roch, the Patron Saint of Thuin, is also the protector of animals and frequently portrayed with his dog?

Marie Luna Durán
FCI Marketing and Public Relations Manager
The FCI has a new Mascot : welcome to COBBY!

Last May, on the occasion of the first major event opening the FCI Centenary year, the FCI Centenary Winner Dog Show, combined with the VDH-Europasieger Show, a panel of approximately 40 people (journalists, presidents of FCI member clubs, members of the FCI General Committee, etc.) had answered positively to the invitation launched by H. Müller, FCI President, Y. De Clercq, FCI Executive Director and M. Luna Durán, FCI Marketing and Public Relations Manager, to attend a press conference on Friday, May 6, 2011.

© Karl Donvil

One of the objectives of the conference was to update the audience about the different events which will pave the way to the final FCI 100-year celebrations to take place in Brussels, in November 2011. Therefore, Ms Luna Durán gave details about the FCI Centenary Winner Dog Show (Dortmund), the FCI Centenary World Dog Show (Paris, July), the FCI Centenary European Dog Show (Leeuwarden, September 2011) and the FCI Centenary Champion of Champions (Brussels, November 2011).

© Karl Donvil

Another major part of the conference was dedicated to the excellent cooperation which started in 2006 between FCI and Eukanuba, making them “Partners in Excellence”. Mr L. Ortlieb, ER Mgr PetCare & Snacks GBU EMEA, introduced the company and highlighted, together with Ms Luna Durán, the different achievements and projects of the cooperation.

© Karl Donvil
However, the main point of the conference was the official launch of the new FCI Mascot: COBBY. A couple of months ago, the FCI President, Hans Müller, had an excellent idea: the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup, all major sports events on the planet have their own distinctive sign, their noticeable image, their Mascot!!! The word was uttered!!! «The FCI is 100 years and for this major event the FCI deserves and should have a Mascot» he said!!! The train was on its way!!! COBBY will now be a major communication tool that will accompany us for the many years to come. COBBY is available from the FCI Office. Please do not hesitate to place an order to .

We would like to thank the VDH and Eukanuba for their wonderful help in organising the press conference.

Best regards,

Yves DE CLERCQ
FCI Executive Director