For the past week, the eyes of the dog breeding world have been fixed on Milan, Italy, as FCI's World Dog Show and Exhibition has celebrated the staggering diversity of dog breeds and the myriad ways that humanity's best friend works together with us to better society. Nearly 30,000 dogs from across the planet have flocked to Italy to compete, a new record:More than simply a breed show, the World Dog Show included a veterinarian trade show and exhibitions highlighting guide dogs, rescue dogs, agility courses and dog dance performances. It's a true celebration of the dog-human relationship.But highlighting the breeds is the ultimate point of the show. The FCI recognizes over 330 breeds of dogs, broken into 10 different categories. Win, place and show for each category is as follows (per the World Dog Show Results page):Pinscher and Schnauzer Type; Judge: OleStaunskjaerof DenmarkThe winner in this category was the stately and muscular Italian Corso, Brutus. Owned by Garcia Pagan Marta of Spain, this dog would be my own pick for Best in Show.Runner-up was the black Miniature Schnauzer, Dreamkiss Kickback, owned by Kaptsova Tatiana of Russia. Third place went to My Leogrif Barthes, a Leonberger from Russia, owned by Tsybulnikova Yu A. The Leonberger is a giant leonine breed.Terriers; Judge: DanEricssonof SwedenFirst place in the Terrier category went to King Arthur Van Foliny Home, a wire-haired Fox Terrier owned by Malzoni De Munter Viterwijk Viktor Rony Dieny of Belgium. Rus Terrier Cardenal Linda La Reina, a Lakeland Terrier owned by Aleksashina Olga of Russia, placed second. Camerom Rockferry, an Irish Soft-coated Wheaten owned by Hulthen Helene of Sweden, took third.Spitz and Primitive; Judge: LiudmilaNikitinaof RussiaThis category features some of the most varied-looking breeds, a fact highlighted by the first- and second-place winners in the category. The crown in this category went to Zoe, a Mexican Hairless owned by Mendez Galvan Graciela of Mexico.Runner-up went to a Samoyed, Smiling Snowball Moon Sonnet, owned by Uspenski Kristine of Estonia. The Samoyed, bred by nomadic reindeer herders in Siberia, has an extremely thick, white coat, making it appear very much like a walking snowball. You would be hard-pressed to find two breeds that look more different than the Mexican Hairless and Samoyed.Third in this category went to Dan-Star-Kam Sweet Soul Kiss, a representative of the tiny but pugnacious Pomeranian breed, owned by Komiakova Liudmila of Russia.Scenthouds; Judge: CarlaMolinariof PortugalDalmino Voodoo Vision, a Dalmatian owned by Halper Drazic Zelijka and Drazi Mihael of Croatia, placed first in this category, with Loamy Lane's Lewis, a classic bloodhound owned by Ilarionova Yu of Russia, taking runner-up. Black Majesty's Roller Coaster Del Lago Degli Orsi, a PetitBasset Griffon Vendeen owned by Raic Iva of Croatia, placed third.Pointing Dogs; Judge: BarbaraMuller of SwitzerlandThe handsome Gordon Setter Ludstar Frederick Frankenstein, owned by Ivaldo Michele of Italy, placed first in this gun dog category. Botero, a white Bracco Italiano with orange spots, owned by Salvi Marcello of Italy, came in second. The short-haired Weimaraner, owned by Sales Josee of the Netherlands, placed third.Sighthounds; Judge Murante Gioacchino of ItalyThe Italian Greyhound Lady Godiva Dei Raggi Di Luna, owned by Caldorone Gaetano of Italy, placed first in this group. The Afghan Hound Agha Djari's Blue Steel, owned by Hessling Karin of Germany, was the runner-up, and Azamour Nur, an Azawakh owned by Lindholm Jussi of Finland, finished third.Dachshunds; Judge: Stahlberg Perttu of FinlandPiumetta Del Mio Cappello, a wire-haired standard owned by Saletti Annaluce of Italy, took first in the Dachshund category. Second place went to Baltiyskiy Talisman Istoriya Lubui, a wire-haired Rabbit Dachshund owned by Kuropatkina Yulia of Russia. Third place went to the smooth-haired standard, Zoldachs Filosofic, owned by Eva Majores of Romania.Retrievers, Water Dogs and Flushing Dogs; Judge: PaoloDondinaof ItalyThis category of popular hunting companions and family dogs was carried by Afterglow Dragon Quest, an American Cocker Spaniel, owned by Csaba Attila of the United States. Runner-up went to Starworker's Legend Continues, a flat-coated Retriever owned by Nielsen Helle of Denmark. Third place in the category went to the yellow Labrador Retriever, Loch More Romero, owned by Barberi Franco of Italy.Sheepdogs and Cattledogs; Judge: Leif RagnarHjorthof NorwayThe herding dog category was carried by Ops I Did It Again Del Cuore Impavido, a Bearded Collie owned by Klimova Olga of Russia. Runner up went to Noz li Do Casal Da Vinha, a Portuguese Sheepdog owned by Jose Emmanuel of Portugal. Taking third place was Black'n Blue's Light My Fire, a Puli owned by Rusz Bodil of Italy.Companion and Toy Dogs; Judge: Schill Roberto of RomaniaThis tiny dog category was won by Kudos Firework, a black Miniature Poodle owned by Nilsson Mikail of Sweden. Long-haired Chihuahua Toro Loco-Pl Di Rio Geleri, owned by Stampigi Simonetta of Italy, placed second. Representing the ancient Maltese breed, Missis White Ettore Bassi, owned by Vezzani Barbara of Italy, took third.Of course, the goal of any handler who brings his dog to an event like this one is to win the big prize, Best in Show. For 2015, The World Dog Show's top overall champion is the Bearded Collie, Ops I Did It Again Del Cuore Impavido:While proud dog owners everywhere might beg to differ, according to the FCI judges, this is the most beautiful purebred dog in the world for 2015.
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