The Malta Kennel Club, founded in 1948, was recently voted as full federated member of the world’s largest canine organisation during the General Assembly held in Bratislava in the first week of October. In May 1999 the Malta Kennel Club was accepted as an associated member of the Federation Cynologique Internationale, better known as FCI.
The FCI is the supreme authority of the canine culture worldwide. Following a decade as associate members, the Malta Kennel Club felt it was the opportune time to move forward and, consequently, federal membership was on the agenda for the European General Assembly which was held during the European Show in Budapest last year. The delegate from Malta was the secretary Mrs Mary Rose Spiteri who did not come back empty handed but got a unanimous vote from all the member countries present. The Malta Kennel Club then applied for federated membership to the FCI General Committee and this was on the agenda for the FCI General Assembly held recently in the Slovak capital during the World Dog Show which hosted a record number of 21,000 pure bred dogs . The two delegates representing The Malta Kennel Club, who participated in this General Assembly were James Muscat and Mary Rose Spiteri, President and Secretary respectively. The majority of delegates representing the 86 countries affiliated with FCI were present for this General Assembly and expressed their full support for MKC’s application. The Malta Kennel Club is now a federated member of FCI with voting rights and at par with the larger countries.
On 5 and 6 December, the Malta Kennel Club will be holding its International Championship Show (with overseas participation) followed by a Gala Night on 8 December 2009 in a five star hotel when all the finals will be judged. This event will coincide with the tenth anniversary of associate membership with FCI and will also be a double celebration following the MKC’s acceptance as federated members.
Eukanuba in collaboration with FCI had asked FCI member countries to submit their top winning dog to participate in a preliminary Eukanuba World Challenge which was held prior to Best in Show in the World Dog Show where they had to choose 3 winners. The top dog from Malta – Alaskan Malamute, Int./Multi. Ch Sno Quest’s King of Landwood – which is co-owned by Messrs Dennis Ciappara and Ivan Calleja was one of the three winners which will be participating with some 40 dogs in the Eukanuba World Challenge which will be held in Long Beach, California on 13 December, 2009. This dog and its owners are being sponsored by Sataco Ltd, the local agent for Eukanuba dog food.
Throughout the past 10 years, members of the Malta Kennel Club have been reaping the benefits offered by FCI as witnessed by the numerous achievements attained by members’ dogs during international shows held under the auspices of the FCI. The future for The Malta Kennel Club looks brighter than ever before, particularly now that it has reached the ultimate peak and can boast that it rests on the unbeatable podium of fame and integrity.