FCI stands for Fédération Cynologique Internationale (in English means the World Canine Federation) is an international Kennel Club based in Thuin, Belgium.
The FCI was founded in 1911 by Germany, Austria, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Today the FCI has 80 member countries. There are 335 dog breeds recognized by the FCI. Each breed is owned by one member country. The owner country writes the standards of the breed. The FCI is responsible for translation and updates. The standards as well as the international regulations are available in four languages (English, Spanish, German and French). The judgements are based on these standards.
The aims of the FCI are to encourage and promote breeding and use of purebred dogs whose functional health and physical features meet the standard set for each respective breed and which are capable of working and accomplishing functions in accordance with the specific characteristics of their breed; to protect the use, keeping and breeding of dogs in the member countries; to support free exchange of dogs and cynological information between member countries and initiate the organiztion of exhibitions and tests.
All breeds are divided into 10 groups. These groups are based on different issues such as appearance or use. The 10 groups are:
1. Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)
2. Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid Breeds - Swiss Mountain and
Cattle Dogs and Other Breeds
3. Terriers
4. Dachshunds
5. Spitz and Primitive types
6. Scenthounds and Related Breeds
7. Pointing Dogs
8. Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs
9. Companion and Toy Dogs
10. Sighthounds
Each group has different sections for different subgroups of dog breeds. In these sections the breeds are arranged in alphabetical order of their owner countries. Each breed has its own breed number. This ensures that a specific breed can be correctly identified, because each breed might have different names in different countries or languages, and the names of many different breeds are similar to each other.
The FCI informs about the shows and working trials held in each member country. The results are sent to the office in Belgium. The FCI also sanctions world championship shows in various categories, including conformation, dog agility, obedience, sighthound racing, field trials, and others.
Contrary to a widespread idea, the FCI is not a registry and does not issue any pedigrees. In addition, it has no records of breeders’ addresses; this information is available from the national canine societies recognized by the FCI.
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Patti Bradford
2022 Grove Street
Baldwin, NY 11510
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