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
Our friends, the animals, have lost their Princess

Her Most Serene Highness, Princess Antoinette de Monaco, elder sister of late Prince Rainier III, passed away during the night of March 17, 2011.

She took over, more than 50 years ago, after her mother, Princess Charlotte, as President of the Société Canine de Monaco and she took the club to the international top.

During this period, her MSH Princess Antoinette kept doing her utmost to give us her permanent support in order to secure the observance and the improvement of the standards of the breeds which are the central interest of our actions.

Her dedication to causes she considered worth, like the pet protection, led her to become the President of the Pet Protection Society ; she occupied this function with great attention and love, which she shared with others ; she even sheltered home animals that needed special care.

A Princess and a Great Lady left us.

It is with lots of emotion and deep respect that we pay her a tribute.

Good bye Madam, your example, your actions and your memory will be for ever in our hearts.

For the FCI General Committee:
Hans W. Müller, President