The Monaco International Dog Show reached its culmination this weekend with members of the Princely family presenting the awards to the competition’s top winners. Prince Albert II bestowed first-place honours upon an exceptional Basenji, whilst Princess Caroline of Hanover presented the second-place award to an outstanding Welsh Corgi. Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, current President of the Monaco Kennel Club, completed the ceremony by awarding third place to a remarkable Dachshund.
The prestigious event, held at Espace Fontvieille ‘Le Chapiteau,’ set new records with 1,430 dogs representing 262 breeds from 29 countries. This 2025 edition continues the tradition of Princely involvement that dates back to the club’s founding by Princess Charlotte in 1927.
The competition spread across two days, with Groups 1,2,3,6, and 10 judged on Saturday, 10th May, followed by Groups 4,5,7,8, and 9 on Sunday, 11th May. The indoor venue buzzed with activity as handlers presented their beloved canines before an international panel of nine distinguished judges.
The judging panel brought expertise from across Europe and beyond, with representatives from France, Peru, Italy, Finland, Switzerland, Ireland, Romania, and Spain. Each expert meticulously evaluated contestants against breed standards, morphology, body type, character, and movement patterns.
This year’s event highlighted French herding dogs as breeds of honour, specifically featuring the Pyrenean Shepherd, Beauceron, Briard, and Picard Shepherd from Group1. These distinctive breeds received special recognition throughout the weekend.
Princely Legacy Continues
Founded by Princess Charlotte in 1927, the club was subsequently led by Princess Antoinette until 2011, followed by Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy until 2020. Today, Melanie-Antoinette de Massy continues this legacy as current president.
Beyond the primary competition, the event featured specialised categories including Minor Puppy (3 to 6 months), Puppy (6 to 9 months), Young (9 to 18 months), and Veterans (7 years and older). The show also hosted Junior Handler competitions in two age groups: children from 5 to 9 years and young handlers aged 10 to 17.
As a qualifying event for the prestigious Crufts 2026 competition in the United Kingdom, the Monaco International Dog Show holds significant importance in the global canine community. Competitors and spectators alike enjoyed the facilities at Espace Fontvieille, with catering services available throughout the event.
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Main photo by Monaco Life