Calatayud has established itself as one of the key scenarios for the dog shows .The city of Calatayud, by bringing together hundreds of professionals and dog enthusiasts at its fairgrounds, once again becomes a key player on the national canine calendar with the joint celebration of the National Dog Show and the International Dog Show.
For an entire weekend, the municipality transforms into a meeting point for breedersjudges, handlers and families Participants have come from various parts of Spain and several European countries. The atmosphere, highly specialized yet welcoming to the general public, solidifies Calatayud's reputation as a venue that has successfully hosted these types of events, generating a remarkable response from both participants and visitors.
A double exhibition that brings together more than a thousand dogs
The city's fairgrounds simultaneously host the National Dog Show and the International Dog ShowThe competitions, organized by the Aragon Canine Society in collaboration with the Calatayud City Council, attract around 1.003 registered dogs from approximately 150 different breeds, giving an idea of ​​the scale of the event.
The international exhibition records the participation of 304 exhibitors and 554 registrationswith specimens of 134 different breeds. In the national section, the following are presented 449 dogs from 247 exhibitors, representing 125 breeds. These figures confirm the appeal of the event for the canine sector, which finds suitable conditions in Calatayud both in terms of facilities and organization.
The arrival of so many participants doesn't happen overnight: setup begins the Thursday before the event at the fairgrounds to have everything ready before the weekend. This preliminary phase allows the spaces to be adapted to the needs of the participants. ring needs, cages, rest areas and service areasso that exhibitors and dogs can work comfortably and safely.
In total, more than 550 exhibitors gather, including professional breeders, private owners, and specialized teams, who showcase the results of years of selection, socialization, and training to the public and judges. Each dog participates in short track testswhere technical aspects are analyzed, but also its ability to function in an environment with noise, people and other animals.
The combination of national and international exhibitions, held almost back-to-back, makes Calatayud a particularly interesting destination for those seeking add titles and obtain ratings from judges in different countries
Judges from various European countries and technical assessment on the track
The judging section is handled by a team of eleven specialized judgeswho provide a broad and well-rounded perspective on breed standards. Four of them come from Belgium, Italy, Portugal, and Romania, while the other seven are Spanish judges with extensive experience in dog shows.
In each ring, the judges assess the morphology, movement and temperament of the specimens. Details such as body structure, correct ear and tail placement, coat quality, topline, and limb angulation are analyzed, as well as their gait at a walk and trot. All of this is combined with observation of the dog's temperament, its response to the handler, and its behavior in an environment with a high concentration of stimuli.
The presentations take place in rounds of a few minutesIn these trials, each dog enters the arena accompanied by its handler or guide. Following the judge's instructions, the participants trace different routes so that the dog's movements can be observed from all angles, and then position the dog statically for individual evaluation. Based on this assessment, the rankings are compiled, and the best dogs in each breed and group are selected.
Beyond the final result, the judges' scores serve as a guide for breeders. working tool for your breeding programsBy confirming strengths and pointing out potential areas for improvement, this technical dimension adds value to the exhibitions, which go far beyond the purely recreational aspect for the visiting public.
The presence of international judges is also particularly interesting for those aspiring to compete in European circuitsThis allows them to compare the quality of their specimens with criteria commonly used in other countries, without leaving Spanish territory.
Monographic exhibitions and prominence of Aragonese breeds
The Calatayud exhibition program includes specific events designed to highlight certain breeds. Among them, the following stands out: First Monographic Exhibition of the Dalmatian, which takes place on Saturday afternoon and brings together fans and breeders specializing in this popular spotted coat breed.
Along with the Dalmatian monograph, the program includes the seventeenth Monographic Exhibition of the French BulldogOne of the most widespread companion breeds today. These monographs, which were not part of the previous edition, allow for a more in-depth analysis of each breed and its standard, with categories broken down by sex and age.
The exhibitions dedicated to Aragonese breeds also hold special significance. Pyrenean MastiffThe Aragonese Pyrenees, recognized as a native breed, has its own dedicated space that highlights its historical role as a livestock guardian dog and its current presence in homes and on farms. Its presence in Calatayud strengthens the connection between the event and the canine heritage of Aragon.
Next to the mastiff, the Can de Chira It continues to make progress in its official recognition process. This breed, also linked to the Aragonese territory, is gaining visibility in competitions and exhibitions, and its presence in the Calatayud program helps more people and professionals learn about its unique characteristics.
These specific activities are integrated into the overall exhibition, but contribute a of added interest to fans of certain breedswho find in Calatayud a meeting point to exchange information, compare breeding lines and meet outstanding specimens at the national level.
An event open to the public and designed for the whole family
Although the event has a distinctly professional character, the organization insists on its commitment to being open to the general publicDuring the weekend, the fairgrounds remain open so that locals and visitors can come and see the dogs up close, witness the judging in the ring, and become familiar with lesser-known breeds.
The number of spectators has been increasing compared to previous editions, and it is estimated that around 3.000 people, including breeders and individualsThey travel to Calatayud to participate in or enjoy the event. A growing percentage of this audience comes from the region itself and nearby towns, which consolidates the exhibition as an activity now integrated into the local calendar.
The Calatayud City Council especially encourages the families with children visiting the fairgroundsThis is a unique opportunity to meet dogs of all sizes and with different functions: companion, working, sporting, herding, or guard dogs. However, the organizers remind everyone of the importance of respecting the rules of the venue, not disturbing the animals before entering the arena, and always following the instructions of exhibitors and event staff.
For those curious about the world of dog competition, the exhibition is an opportunity to see firsthand how the... professional handlers or presentersIn fact, the program includes a specific course aimed at those who wish to start in this work, focusing on the preparation of the dog, the handling technique in the ring and the correct interaction with the judges.
Overall, the Calatayud event combines the technical focus sought by industry professionals with an environment accessible to the general public, who can spend several hours touring the rings, observing the different breeds and resolving doubts directly with breeders and specialists.
Economic impact and projection for Calatayud
The City Council, and in particular the Economic Development department, emphasizes the benefit that the event generates for the cityThe dog show is held at a time of year with low temperatures and less conventional tourism, which helps to boost commercial and hospitality activity at a usually quieter time.
Participants and their companions mostly choose to stay in Rural houses in the area, pet-friendly hotels and, in many cases, caravans. This diversity of accommodation options has a direct impact on the local economy, from restaurants and local shops to gas stations and other services.
The Councillor for Economic Development, Arturo Ballano, values ​​the event as the The most important dog show in Aragon and one of the most recognized in the stateIn his opinion, the fact that it is held in the middle of winter helps to increase the number of exhibitors and dogs compared to other warmer dates, when travel is less comfortable for the animals.
The continuation of the event in Calatayud is not only understood in terms of its economic impact, but also because of the High level of satisfaction expressed by judges, exhibitors and visitorsThe organizers of the Aragonese Canine Society highlight the smooth operation of the facilities, the location of the fairgrounds, and the institutional support received, factors that have influenced their decision to repeat the event and consider future editions.
With these ingredients, the city consolidates its position as a key location within the national and international dog show circuit, offering a combination of good infrastructure, organizational capacity and attractive environment for those traveling with their dogs from different parts of Spain and Europe.
The experience accumulated in recent editions, the growth in participation and audience, and the prominence acquired by both the international breeds such as those linked to Aragon The dog shows in Calatayud are seen as more than just a competition. For the city, they represent an opportunity to project its image abroad, strengthen its economic base, and offer residents and visitors a unique weekend centered around the world of dogs.
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