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?