The Philippine Circuit, an annual event organized by the Philippine Canine Club, Inc. (PCCI), makes its comeback after two years at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
ALL ABOUT DOGS
Thousands of Dogs from all over the world are flown to the Philippines to take part in the biggest show. The white and fluffy Bichon Frise, the playful Golden Retriever, the gentle giant Saint Bernard, the Welsh Corgi with cute butts — they’re all present in the coliseum.
The four-day event will showcase the best of the best of each registered breed from 16 other countries, including Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, and USA.
THE BREEDS
DOG APPRECIATION
One of the judges in the competition was the president of the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), Tamas Jakkel. There were different panels each day, with a total of 17 judges for the whole event.
One participant shared how judges assessed a Dog. They would check the stance and the Dog’s body based on the standard, including the teeth, which need to be naturally straightened. It’s because of this approach that people joining these shows have to choose which Dogs would join the competition.
Not everyone uses the same methods: Two judges might have a different assessment of one Dog.
IN ACTION
There were nine rings in the coliseum, divided into different groups. In Ring 1, one would find Bullmastiffs, Dobermans, Great Danes, and St. Bernards. Meanwhile, Bichon Frises, Chihuahuas (both long and smooth coat), and Pekingese Dogs were in Ring 8.
If the Dog was small or medium, a judge would put them on a table to inspect their features. Large Dogs from Ring 1 required a ramp instead.
The participants walked around in a circle, referred to as trotting. According to a 2019 article in Mental Floss by Jessica Hullinger, this allows judges to check the Dog’s pace.
DOGS IN ACTION
CORGIS GALORE
One participant came with a Welsh Pembroke Corgi. They shared that docking, the act of cutting a Dog’s tail, is illegal in the West. In Asia, it is still being practiced. Either way, the tail must be upright while the Corgi struts.
The show received the most number of entries from Corgis, with 44 participants all in all.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Dogs who weren’t there to join the competition were likely being groomed by their stylists, as if they were in a salon. There were multiple grooming stations around the arena, with many of the Dogs — particularly the Long-Coat Chihuahuas, Poodles, and Bichon Frises — being combed, hair-dried, and cut to perfection.
NOT-SO-SECRET FACT
Most of the participants have handlers who prep the Dogs. They train and nurture the Dogs so that the canines arrive in their best form.
THE PHILIPPINE FOREST DOG
The Philippine Circuit will also formally introduce to the world the Philippine Forest Dog, or Asong Gubat, who would hopefully be recognized by the FCI as a Philippine breed.
Emcee Fr. Dante showcased Forest Dogs who came from different regions of the country. The presenters wore traditional tribal clothing where the canines could be found. It was explained that the Dog lived in most areas in the Philippines, from Luzon all the way to Mindanao.
These Dogs tend to look timid because they are not used to wearing leashes and being around a lot of people; they have been living in the wild for a long time. It was hypothesized that the Philippine Forest Dog existed way before their discovery in 1521.
Dante described that, while the Dogs looked rather thin, they had “the healthy vigor and physical strength” of other canines used to an active life.
The Dogs are primarily hunters who can survive in harsh environments.
PHOTOS BY JEFFREY LIM
