The Fédération Cynologique Internationale is the World Canine Organisation. It includes 99 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI has three sections: • Europe • The Americas & Caribbean • Asia, Africa & Oceania The FCI makes sure that the pedigrees and judges are mutually recognised by all the FCI members. The FCI recognises 354 breeds. Each of them is the 'property' of a specific country. The 'owner' countries of the breeds write the standard of these breeds (detailed description of the ideal type of the breed), in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI. The translation, updating and publication of the standards are carried out by the FCI. These standards are THE reference for the judges at shows held in the FCI member countries, but also for the breeders in their attempt to produce top-quality dogs. Every member or contract partner conducts international conformation shows (CACIB) as well as international working (utility, tracking, nordic tyle, mondioring)/hunting trials and tests (CACIT), international Agility (CACIAG), Obedience (CACIOB) and Dog Dancing (CACID) competitions, international races and coursings (CACIL) and international herding trials (CACITR). Results of these competitions/trials are sent to the FCI Head Office where they are processed and homologated. When a dog has been awarded a certain number of awards, it is eligible for the title of International Beauty, Show, Working, Beauty and Working, Agility, Obedience, Dog Dancing, Race, Beauty and Performance or Herding Champion. These titles are homologated by the FCI. In addition, every breeder can ask for international registration of his/her kennel name via his/her national canine organisation.
