Perfection in Poland

This was my first visit to the show in Krakow. Previously I have attended shows in Poland for the World Dog Show in Poznan back in 2006 and more recently the European Show staged in Warsaw in 2018.

Despite the threat of thunderstorms — only brief — the show took place largely outdoors at the Sports Academy grounds on the outskirts of Krakow. The show hotel was a short walk from the showgrounds, and the facilities for exhibitors and trade stands were excellent. The whole event ticked over without any hitches.

Beautiful Krakow.

The National show took place completely inside the running track area, making it clearly defined from the other aspects of the show. The rest of the show was largely judged outside on some of the sports fields and also using an indoor tennis hall. In fact, the groups and BIS program also were judged inside that hall. It is an ideal venue in that it has permanent roads for ease of access, sports fields and also a grandstand for viewing.

Within the grandstand building, the society had super facilities for lunches and refreshments that were restaurant quality.

Showground catering in Poland means that meat is on the menu! 

International

Live-streaming by media partner Our Dogs ensured that dog people worldwide followed the Krakow show each day, giving the show a much wider audience than normal. This was the first time that Our Dogs and Birdbrook had attended this show, and also provided a super-sized rosette for the BIS-winning Cocker Spaniel on Sunday evening.

The Best in Show Winner in Krakow received this super-sized rosette, seen here on the first day of the show with the president of the Krakow club, Małgorzata Wieremiejczyk-Wierzchowska, and Polish Kennel Club president Leszek Salamon (right) together with Vince Hogan and Moira Christie.

UK judge Joy Johnson said he was delighted to be asked to judge. “I had an entry of 45 Bull Terriers and 29 Miniature Bull Terriers,” he said. “The overall quality of the entries was excellent; my primary winners were top-tier dogs capable of winning in the U.K., the breed's homeland. I was delighted when my Miniature best puppy won a Group 2 placing. The show was held in a perfect location and was meticulously planned. The judges were treated with exceptional hospitality, making for a thoroughly pleasurable weekend. My gratitude and congratulations to the club's hardworking committee for a fantastic event.”

Anyone for coffee? A nice touch for your latte or cappuccino with your dog-club logo! 

“A great weekend in Krakow at International and National exhibitions,” Polish judge Lukasz Kozlarek added. “I had the great pleasure of judging several very nice dogs and breeds that I like very much and meeting many wonderful people. Many thanks to the organizers for inviting me to such well-organized shows. Well done!”

Judges

It certainly was a cross section of international judges, including judges from Bosnia, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Romania, Portugal, Italy and —  most distance — Diane Barclay from Australia.

The judges were also used to full capacity, as there were a range of breed shows and specialties running alongside the CAC and CACIB shows. Some of the judges had arrived earlier on Friday, and a small group attended the famous salt mines just outside the city boundaries … a fascinating trip that also involved nearly 900 steps down to a cavernous world that was well worth the visit. Thankfully there were elevators to get back to daylight many meters above our heads!
For those thinking of visiting this show in the future, and with more time, it is possible to visit the World War II concentration camps that were so closely associated with this area. Certainly, our short guided tour around the Jewish Quarter in the city center was a very interesting hour or two on Monday before our flight home.

Each night the Krakow club held dinners for the judges at the nearby hotel, and Saturday evening saw the special celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the club. This event was attended by many people associated with the club. Speeches were made by the president of the Polish Kennel Club, and a huge cake was cut by the Best in Show judge Refet Hadzic.

Groups and BIS

All groups and Best in Show took place inside the tennis arena each afternoon around 4 p.m. The full program ran from baby puppies to adult groups, with some additional classes for Polish breeds and members classes from the club. The overall entry for all the shows was around 3,000 dogs.

The author meeting one of the locals and exhibitor in the Polish breeds classes.

“To be the BIS judge at Krakow dog show was a very big honor for me,” Refet Hadzic explained. “The show had a panel of famous judges, very good organization, warm hospitality and high-quality dogs, which made the show become a real holiday! Once more, thanks to my colleagues who sent 10 top-quality dogs into the BIS ring ... Congratulations to all the winners, but also to all the other participations who made the show in Krakow Branch such a big event 75 years after its founding.”

One particular point to note was the link with some key politicians who attended the show; Jagna Marczułajtis-Walczak is a member of the European Parliament and Dorota Niedziela is the deputy speaker of the Polish Parliament. In these dark days of anti-dog legislation in some European countries, it is essential to have a voice for pedigree dogs in any legislature.

Seen at the show … the prizes await!

Not only did these ladies attend the show, one — Jagna — was an exhibitor! In addition, there was also sponsorship for the Polish breed classes, and some excellent trophies and special prizes sponsored by Dorota. What a refreshing change to find some like-minded dog people in strategic positions within government.

BIS table in Krakow, laden with trophies.

75 Years

The president of the Krakow branch of the Polish Kennel Club,  Małgorzata Wieremiejczyk-Wierzchowska, receiving a special memorial plaque for the 75th anniversary of the club.

Speaking after the show, Małgorzata Wieremiejczyk Wierzchowska, chair of the Management Board, said, “The Kennel Club in Poland, Krakow Branch, would like to thank everyone for participating in the XXVI International Dog Show Krakow 2024 and accompanying exhibitions.

“I would like to thank the entire team for their hard work and effort put into organizing the exhibitions — without you, they would not be possible.

Thank you and congratulations to all the judges and winners. We thank our patrons for the honor.”

We invite you all to our exhibitions on June 28-29, 2025.

European Dog Show (EDS)

The next major shows on the European continent will be the FCI European shows themselves. First, in October 2024, we will be heading to Celje in Slovenia for this year’s event. Then, as promoted in Krakow, the Kennel Club of the Czech Republic will be staging the European Show 2025 on April 10 to 13 in Brno, the second city of that country.

Seen in Krakow: The European Dog Show 2025 will be held in Brno in the Czech Republic ... and they have a novel way of promoting the show with a few beers and energy drinks!

The World Dog Show in 2025 will take place in Helsinki, Finland, on August 8, 9 and 10. The Scandinavian countries have a reputation for well-organized shows with huge entries, and this one should be no exception to the rule.

For now, our thanks to the Polish Kennel Club for a very friendly and well-organized show that did justice to its special 75th year for the Krakow Branch.

BEST IN SHOW

Judged by Refet Hadzic (Bosnia)

1. English Cocker Spaniel ONE LOVE & ONE LIFE XILANDER. Photo by Pic Paw.pl.

2. Whippet SOBERS DIAMOND LIL. Photo by Pic Paw.pl.

3. Siberian Husky WINTER MELODY AS GOOD AS IT GETS. Photo by Pic Paw.pl.

4. Gordon Setter ICE EDGE KOCHANEJ EMILKI. Photo by Pic Paw.pl.

CAPTIONS

KRAKOW BIS.jpg

KRAKOW Rosette.jpg

The Best in Show Winner in Krakow received this super-sized rosette, seen here on the first day of the show with the president of the Krakow club, Małgorzata Wieremiejczyk-Wierzchowska, and Polish Kennel Club president Leszek Salamon (right) together with Vince Hogan and Moira Christie.

KRAKOW Meat.jpg

Showground catering in Poland means that meat is on the menu! 

KRAKOW Coffee.jpg

Anyone for coffee? A nice touch for your latte or cappuccino with your dog-club logo! 

KRAKOW Tower.jpg

What remains of the old town hall in the center of Krakow.

KRAKOW Table.jpg

BIS table in Krakow, laden with trophies.

KRAKOW Prizes.jpg    

The president of the Krakow branch of the Polish Kennel Club,  Małgorzata Wieremiejczyk-Wierzchowska, receiving a special memorial plaque for the 75th anniversary of the club.