Showing abroad: the ring gets an accent

You don't need five languages or a trophy cabinet. But prepare the trip as carefully as the ring. The MyDogShow calendar lists the CACIB shows of every FCI member and partner country.

Beginner: prepare your first trip

1. Choose an easy-to-reach show

Pick a nearby destination and a journey your dog handles well. Read the official schedule: judging day for your breed, venue, entry deadline and admission conditions. A multi-day show doesn't mean your dog is judged every day.

2. Sort the travel papers before paying the entry

Within the European Union, the usual requirements are microchip identification, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination. A first vaccination requires at least 21 days before travel. Some destinations (Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway, Northern Ireland) also require a tapeworm treatment within a set window; Great Britain has its own rules. Have your vet check your route, including transit countries.

3. Check the class before confirming

Don't pick a class because its name looks familiar. At a CACIB show, age is taken on the day the dog is shown. Working and champion classes require proof.

Intermediate: feel at ease on site

1. Learn a few ring words

Number, ring, class, dog, bitch, judging time. In French: ring, mâle, femelle, aller-retour. In Spanish: pista, macho, hembra, iday vuelta. Didn't understand? Calmly ask for a repeat or a demonstration.

2. Plan an arrival that leaves time to breathe

For a long journey, arriving the day before helps recovery. Bring bed, food, bowl, water and kit. On site, locate the entrance, your ring and the exercise areas.

3. Read local specifics

Entry into the country and admission to the show are two separate checks. For a dog with cropped ears or docked tail, check the country's and the event's rules: being accepted elsewhere doesn't guarantee admission here.

Advanced: make the trip worthwhile

1. Define your sporting goal

International competition, experience or a title: a national certificate and a CACIB follow different rules, and a "1st Excellent" doesn't guarantee a CACIB.

2. Plan the return as early as the outward trip

Outside the EU, check re-entry conditions before leaving. Depending on the country, a rabies antibody titre test and a waiting period of several months may be required.

3. Review more than the placing

Recovery after the journey, ease in the hall, focus in the ring. Keep the results you'll need for future title applications.

Sources

• Your Europe (European Union): Travelling with pets in the EU
• FCI: Regulations for FCI Dog Shows (PDF)