Please read these rules and guidelines carefully in advance in order to make dog show participation as smooth and comfortable for yourself and your dog as possible.

Health and well-being of dogs is always a priority at dog shows. The exhibitor is responsible for the well-being of his/her dog. Only dogs registered in kennel clubs in countries recognized by the FCI may participate in World Dog Show 2025.

Judging

In the World Dog Show, the dog show regulations of the FCI and the Finnish Kennel Club are followed. In the World Winner show, judging follows the FCI rules.

In Circuits Shows, the dog show regulations of the Finnish Kennel Club are followed.  The only addition to the normal classes is the brace competition.

The judge gives a written critique to each dog he/she evaluates (excl. brace class).

World Dog Show

Circuit Shows

Docked tails and cropped ears

Dogs with docked tails or cropped ears may not participate in dog shows in Finland.

Testicular abnormalities

According to the Regulations for FCI Dog Show, ’disqualified’ must be awarded to a dog which has testicular abnormalities or has been castrated due to medical reasons.

Breeds recognized on a provisional basis

The following breeds, recognized by the FCI on a provisional basis, are not eligible for CACIB but are eligible for World Winner titles and may compete in group competitions.

Group 1: Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Lancashire Heeler, Miniature American Shepherd, Chodsky Pes
Group 2: Continental Bulldog, Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog, Transmontano Mastiffi
Group 3: Andalusian Terrier, Valencian Terrier
Group 5: Yakutian Laika, Kintamani-Bali Dog
Group 6: Estonian Hound, Segugio Maremmano
Group 9: Prague Ratter
Group 10: Kazakh Tazy

Breeds not recognized by the FCI

Breeds are not recognized by the FCI but are recognized by the Finnish Kennel Club are not eligible for CACIB, are not eligible for World Winner titles and may not compete in group competitions. These breeds compete of their own Helsinki World Cup -titles.

This applies to these breeds: 
East-European Shepherd, Small Medimurje Dog-Medi, American Hairless Terrier, American Toy Fox Terrier, Rat Terrier, Biewer Terrier, Tenterfield Terrier, American Eskimo Dog, Black Spitz, Danish Spitz, Hällefors Dog, Swedish White Elkhound, Bluetick Coonhound, Anglo-Russian Hound, Gotland Hound, Plott, Russian Hound, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Epagneul de Saint-Usuge, Polish Hunting Spaniel, Russian Spaniel, Markiesje, Russkaja Tsvetnaja Bolonka

Identification

All dogs participating in the show must be identification marked in a way that is approved by the Finnish Kennel Club (either Lifechip (Indexel) or Datamars microchip, or tattoo). The Finnish Kennel Club approves all microchips compliant with the ISO 11789 standard that do not contain a county code.

When entering his or her dog to an event, the owner undertakes to follows rules and regulations that apply for that event. The organizer of the event checks the dog’s identification. The dog’s identification is primarily checked from the dog’s registration certificate. If a dog has a chip that is unreadable with most chip readers, the owner must carry a reader that can be used to read that chip. If a non-identified dog is found at the inspection, the organizer must exclude that dog from the event. An unreadable tattoo or a microchip that does not work prevents the dog from participating at the event.

Participation of dogs registered in Russia or Belarus and entering dogs of citizens of these countries to events under the Finnish Kennel Club

Citizens of Russia or Belarus, who live in these countries, cannot enter their dogs in shows, trials and competitions under the Finnish Kennel Club. Dogs registered in the Russian or Belarusian register cannot be entered for shows, trials and competitions under the Finnish Kennel Club.

Judges who are citizens of Russia or Belarus cannot, for the time being, judge in events organized by the Finnish Kennel Club.

Read more about Finnish Kennel Club’s decision from 6th February 2025

Anti-doping

The Finnish Kennel Club’s anti-doping regulations are observed at the show. For more information, please visit Finnish Kennel Club’s website.

Other considerations

• If the dog show must be cancelled for reasons not attributable to the organizers, entry fees will not be refunded.
• The organizers are entitled to refuse a dog’s entry to the show without specifying a separate reason.
• The organizers shall not be liable for any damages caused by dogs or exhibitors.