The start of the show was marked by friendly barking and the bustle of proud owners. Numerous pet carriers and tables stood around the ten main rings, on which pure-bred dogs were to demonstrate their beauty and physique over the course of several minutes. The owners put their pets on the tables and “made them up” like human models are made up before taking their place on the podium. The dogs’ backs were combed, their paws were powdered and their hair was stylishly set.

At 10:00, beagles were the first to be examined by Rui Oliveira, a strict judge from Portugal, Russian Shamil Abrakimov assessed Chihuahuas and Nina Kharatishvili (Russia) kept her eye on Staffordshire bull terriers. Zvi Kupferberg from Israel judged bull terriers, including miniatures, and Elzhbieta Augustyniak from Poland was the judge for the American Akita breed. Basenjis were the first to walk on the sixth ring, watched over by Steven Gladstone (USA), while French bulldogs walked the seventh ring (judge Salvatore Tripoli from Italy). Rhodesian ridgebacks were first on the eighth ring – they were examined by Ake Cronander from Sweden. Finally, poodles were judged by Yochai Barak Lifac from Israel, and Jay Ritchie from the USA appraised West Highland white terriers.

The dogs ran unhurriedly along a special track, demonstrated their stance and good teeth, and then were awarded their scores by the judges. The three winners were awarded their well-earned medals. Breeds on the ring changed every 30-40 minutes.

It’s worth pointing out that not all dogs were happy with the results.

A Shiba-inu, whose name is Samur, sat by its pet carrier with its head down. The dog won only a silver medal, but its whole life is ahead of it as, according to its owner, her boy is just 7 months old.

But an American spaniel with the expressive name Bond brought joy to its owners again. Bond became the winner not for the first time in his two years.

Dog sports competitions took place in the Expoforum alongside the beauty contest. Four-legged participants in the event demonstrated their agility skills to spectators, who made themselves comfortable on the arena – dogs competed in the special area with an obstacle course. Dogs of various breeds and sizes (Yorkshire terriers, shelties, spitzes, collies, mongrels) supervised by their instructors bravely jumped over barriers, ran up a staircase, did the “serpent” trick and fearlessly rushed through a cloth pipe. Both pets and their owners – trained at the St. Petersburg ARKS dog school – were equally excited and gave all they had on the “track”. In the end, everyone completed the set tasks and got the applause they deserved.

Guests of the “Dog World” show were able, from the first minutes of the event, not only to look at the others and show themselves off, but also do some doggy shopping. Sales outlets for our four-legged friends were located along the whole perimeter, offering dog collars, pet carriers, dog food, medicines, toys and many other things.