Call to take part in the FCI Centenary Champion of Champions event

Half of the FCI Centenary Year has now gone by and we can already look back on two very successful centenary events: the FCI Centenary Winner Show in Dortmund and the FCI Centenary World Dog Show in Paris. The next major event, shortly to be taking place, will be the Centenary European Show in Leeuwarden (NL). We would like to take this opportunity of wishing the organisers every success.

The culmination of the Centenary Year will be the FCI Cynological Days, to be held in Brussels on 11-14 November. We would like to recommend the following events to member and partner countries: the symposium on 11 November and the FCI Centenary World Champion of Champions (CoC) competition on 12 November 2011 (open to qualified dogs), together with the Centenary Gala Evening (for delegates from national kennel clubs and invited guests). We recommend exhibitors not to miss the FCI Centenary World Champion of Champions event on 12 November. Entries for this event will be accepted and processed by the Union Royale Cynologique Saint-Hubert in the period 5-30 September 2011. Reminder: Qualified dogs are those having gained a CACIB at either the Brussels Show in December 2010 or at one of the Centenary shows (Dortmund, Paris or Leeuwarden) in 2011. Also entitled to take part are all "FCI international champions" (CIB and CIE). With the CoC event in Brussels a "once in a blue moon" event, we hope to see as many qualified dogs as possible taking part. The more dogs entered, the more interesting the competition will be. We are counting on your being there!

Yours sincerely,

Hans W. Müller
FCI President
Healthier teeth and the importance of dental care

One of the most dramatic facts about our pet dogs is that 85% have some type of dental problem by the age of 3 years. These dental problems, such as gingivitis and tartar build-up, are especially prevalent in the smaller breeds.

As with humans it all starts with the build-up of plaque, but whereas we brush off this plaque twice a day to keep our teeth clean, in dogs the plaque is left to build-up over time as tooth brushing is not common or easy for owners to do. The build-up of plaque can eventually lead to the accumulation of bacteria and then inflammation of the gum margin (gingivitis) and eventual destruction of the deeper structures that hold the tooth firmly in place. At the same time minerals from the saliva deposit in the plaque turning it into a very hard resistant structure called tartar (or calculus). The tartar then accumulates more plaque and bacteria for continued inflammation. The good news is that human toothpaste technology has come to the aid of dogs in helping reduce tartar build-up. A special ingredient found in toothpaste, called hexametaphosphate, can also be safely used in dog food to help block the minerals that form tartar. In fact this ingredient, referred to as the DentalCare System, can help reduce tartar build-up by up to 55% over 4 weeks.

Look for a range of adult and mature-senior products, such as Eukanuba, that has a DentalCare System which alongside regular check-ups with your veterinarian will ensure your dog has healthier teeth and gums.

David MORGAN, BSc MA VetMB CertVR MRCVS
Eukanuba