In addition to huge number of participants and large variety of dog breeds competing for the Best in Show Winner, the winter shows organised by the Lithuanian Kennel Club featured numerous activities for the youngest show visitors and young people willing to broaden their cynological knowledge. Apart from traditional junior handling competition and the awards of the best junior handlers of the year, the Education Centre to the Lithuanian Kennel Club created a special area for kids, youngsters, young professionals, as well as their families, where all could join purposeful activities or just enjoy their leisure.

Indeed, this time young people were offered a wide range of activities from simple “doggy” drawings and crafts for the smallest to dog sports such as Agility, Obedience and Power dog for those already having some competence in cynology. While the smallest visitors were creating doggy decorations for the Christmas tree, making postcards or simply drawing or colouring pictures, the older ones were involved in educational activities, which is inherent part of our programme. Invited in advance, groups of youngsters from several schools of the capital city of Vilnius enthusiastically joint activities depending on their interests. Safe contact with a dog, ways to avoid dangerous situations, understanding of dog’s body language, liberties and welfare of dogs and peculiarities of “dangerous” breeds – absolutely all topics were followed by hot and enthusiastic discussions, which only proves the relevance of the considered issues.

Cynological activities and education about dogs are inconceivable without participation of man’s best friend. Specially selected, trained and tested dogs not only served as a living example of happy animals so much attached to humans, but also contributed to the general atmosphere in the stand. Safe pleasant contact and communication with a dog in a specially arranged place was much more valued by the visitors than just the opportunity to observe dogs from the side.

Those visiting the stand for the first time were surprised to discover such unconventional activities at the dogs show. Indeed, why do we think it is important to take extra work and responsibility during huge dog events? Mrs Ramune Kazlauskaite, President of the Lithuanian Kennel Club, says: “Our organisation is relatively young, it just recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary, we don’t have long cynological tradition and we are only shaping the cynological culture in our country. Therefore, our target groups are enthusiastic, flexible and open to new ideas. We aim at bringing up a new, different, responsible generation of dog lovers, willing to take an active part in cynology, who will make changes and build the future for the benefit of dogs. Various activities for young people at the dog shows is just a small part of what we are doing in pursue of our greatest ambition – creating of a pet-loving country.”

Lithuanian Kennel Club