Summer in Slovenia
This year’s Slovenian Summer Dog Shows — also known as the Istra circuit — were held August 1 through 4, attracting dogs and exhibitors from 43 countries. The judging panel was equally international, with 15 judges from 10 countries.
The four nights of international all-breed shows drew 788, 815, 856 and 842 entries, respectively. In addition, three clubs held separate specialties: FCI Group 5 (Spitz and Primitive Breeds) on Thursday, August 1; FCI Group 10 (Sighthounds) on Friday, August 2; and FCI Group 9 (Companion and Toy dogs, except Tibetan breeds), on Saturday, August 3.
Our first two judges, Evalyn Gregory and David W. Haddock, arrived on Tuesday after a long trip from the U.S. They were still fresh enough to take the opportunity to visit the city of Isola, one of the three main cities of our archipelago located on a peninsula.
The other members of this year’s judging panel started to arrive on Wednesday. Among them were Dusan Travnikar and Igor Selimovic, who are indispensable members of our team, helping with logistics and all extra work.
Another absolutely necessary member of our team is Petru Muntean — “The Voice” — who is our English speaker and this year was one of the judges as well. You can tell by his professional delivery that he was once a radio announcer.
Judges discovering Kroper with their city guide.
Our host hotel, Grand Koper, served a welcome dinner on its rooftop terrace, and we were able to enjoy the view of the city harbor as the sun set.
Due to some changes in the city’s municipal construction, the showgrounds that we used for the first two years were no longer available. We found a fantastic location in the heart of Istria: the Istrian village of Koštabona, towering on a natural pier over the River Dragonja.
With almost three acres of showgrounds and an equal amount of parking, the venue offered more than enough space for everyone.
The judges were Stefan Sinko, Slovenia; Ann Ingram, Ireland; Elizabeth Cartledge, U.K.; Annette Bystrup, Denmark; Evalyn Gregory and David W. Haddock, U.S.; Dusan Travnikar, Darko Drobnjak and Istvan Nagy, Serbia; Igor Selimovic, Croatia; Petru Muntean and Alin Dumitrescu, Romania; Jean-Francois Vanaken, Belgium; Joao Vasco Pocas, Portugal, and Attila Czegledi, Hungary.
Jean-Francois Vanaken with International Dog Show Koper Best in Show winner Standard Poodle Lakeridge Black Moon. Owners: Nikoleta Angelova Georgi Katsarev. Breeders: Debra Ferguson-Jones and Andrea Rich.
Supreme BIS judge Stefan Sinko had high praise for both the quality of the dogs and the professionalism of the show team.
“From the start, one noticed that the show was perfectly conducted from beginning to end,” he says. “Perfectly professional, taking into account all the needs of the exhibitors and also the staff and judges. The latter were spoiled with maximum comfort and hospitality that is really hard to find anywhere else.
“Beside the dog show, we had the impression that we were at a culinary competition, tasting all the delicious local food of Istria prepared by master chef Grozdan Grizancic and his team.”
Stefan Sinko with Supreme Best in Show winner Russell Terrier Picasso Russtyle’s Du Vallon De L'alba. Breeder: Hisleur Joelle. Owner: Roberto Pedrosa. Handler: Javier Gonzalez Mendicote. Photo: Mak Dodan, Pro Dog.
British judge Ann Ingram, who judged Best in Show on the second day of the circuit as well as Junior Supreme Best in Show, noted that while the Istra circuit of shows is relatively new, she had already heard raves that it more than lived up to.
“My overall impression was of a very happy event with exhibitors enjoying the four days with some relaxation during the daytime followed by enthusiastic competition at night!” she says. “The layout was wonderful, with the gazebos lined up beside the rings, giving it a real festival feel, and the parking assigned individually so that everyone had their own space and there was no mad rush to set up.
“There was a good mix of nationalities competing in all the breeds, and the quality was indeed high, with strong competition in the groups leading to different winners on each night, which is very refreshing, rather than witnessing the same dogs always taking the top spots. The handlers were all very sporting and supportive of each other, and I think really enjoyed the whole festival atmosphere — there were some seen dancing ringside watching the groups! It was also great to see that a good number of spectators sat ringside for the group finals, sadly not so common nowadays. More often it is only the people involved who stay!”
Above: Ann Ingram with Junior Supreme Best in Show winner Old English Sheepdog Bottom Shaker Let’s Do It Again. Breeder-owner: Josef Koroknai. Handler: Zsolt Hano. Photo: ProDog Photography. Below: Best in Show winner on the second day under judge Ann Ingram was the Tibetan Terrier Multi-Ch. BIS BISS Ti La Shu PS I Love You. Group judge: Jean- Francois Vanaken. Breed judge: Evalyn Gregory. Breeder: Sabine Rauhut. Owners: Linda and Richard Stark, U.S. Handler: Katja Rauhut. Photo Dora Levstek.
Annette Bystrup, Best in Show judge for the first show, CACIB Portorož, noted that even a passing storm couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm for this show.
“The weather was most of the time in our favor. After the sun went down, a breeze helped keep it fresh enough for smooth judging, and the dogs performed absolutely wonderfully,” she explains. “The exception was the first day, when a storm flew over the square followed by a heavy rainstorm, which meant that the show had to take a break. But this came to an end, and the show went on.”
Annette Bystrup with International Dog Show Portoroz Best in Show winner Affenpinscher Bayclan Macho Miguel V Tani Kazari. Breeders: Mieke Cooijmans, Tabatha Buckley-Bettis and Dhanasekaran Thanapal. Owner: Roberto Pedrosa. Handler: Javier Gonzalez Mendicote. Photo: Mak Dodan, Pro Dog.
David W. Haddock with Veteran Supreme Best in Show winner English Springer Spaniel Colepepper's Fallen Angel. Breeder: Katja Rejec Longar. Owner and handler: Pia Grm Urbancic. Photo: Dora Levstek.
Judge Igor Selimović with Supreme Minor Puppy Best in Show French Bulldog Salty Paws Sky. Breeder-owner: Kennel Salty Paws. Handler: Anja Matić Butara. Photo: ProDog Photography.
This year, the show’s judges were gifted with an authentic souvenir from our region of Istra. It is a silver pin representing “The Kaštelir Hound.” These beautiful handcrafted pins were made by local jeweler Rok Siroka. Rok created an artistic symbol to bring our culture, archaeology and history to our judges in an attractive and memorable way.
This figurine of a dog made of a bronze alloy was excavated in 2010 at the prehistoric, altitude-fortified settlement of Kaštelir above Korte near Izola. This free-standing figurine of a dog with a distinctly pointed snout and drooping ears, a lean body, which ends in a tail curled into a ring, and two stylized paws, belongs to the period of the advanced Iron Age (circa 6th - 5th century B.C.) and presents a link with the Posočje region, since two identical figurines have been found there (one is kept at the National Museum of Slovenia and the other is privately owned), and in the Veneto region in northern Italy. The figurine is connected with the perception of dogs as loyal companions, which accompany us throughout our lives and even afterward. In the case of Kaštelir, it indicates the existence of a potential sanctuary space in the immediate vicinity of the find.
Judge Joao Vasco Pocas of Portugal wearing his Kaštelir Hound pin.
BIS judge Elizabeth Cartledge of the U.K
The judges’ enthusiasm for the Istra shows was echoed by the exhibitors.
Janine Klein, an active exhibitor who calculates that she showed in 15 different countries last year, thinks this show is the best organized of any she has attended.
“Istra puts the cherry on the cake with all the details,” she says, ticking them off: “A great panel of judges, beautiful showgrounds with excellent rings, luxury spaces to rent for exhibitors, a glamorous BIS program, beautiful rosettes and of course lovely food. I would not know a single thing to propose to make it better; everything was just perfect.”
Speaking of cakes, on the last day, speaker Petru Muntean called Klein into the main ring, and serenaded her with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” along with some friends.
Janine Klein celebrating her birthday with well-wishers at this year’s show.
This was Javier Gonzales Mendikote’s first time at Istra, and he ended it as arguably its winningest exhibitor.
“As an exhibitor I love good competition, and certainly it was an honor to show under some of the world’s top names in the sport,” he says. “The fact that you can rent a tent at the show and that the food was amazing made it all even more enjoyable.”
Handler Javier Gonzales Mendikote.
At the circuit’s first International show, Mendikote piloted the young Affenpinscher Bayclan Macho Miguel V Tani Kazari all the way to Best in Show under Annette Bystrup from Denmark. On Saturday he showed the female Lagotto puppy Kan Trace Aria — daughter of the famous Crufts 2023 BIS winner Orca — and won Puppy BIS, only to come back on Sunday to win the Supreme Puppy Best in Show under Evalyn Gregory. Sunday ended with a winning crescendo for yet-another charge at the end of his lead: Best in Show for Russell Terrier Picasso Russtyle’s Du Vallon De L’alba under Elizabeth Cartledge, and then Supreme Best in Show under Stefan Sinko.
Evalyn Gregory with Puppy Supreme Best in Show winner Lagotto Romagnolo Kan Trace Aria. Breeder-owner: Kan Trace / Sabina Zdunic Sinkovic. Handler: Javier Gonzalez Mendikote. Photo: Petpix Pro / Anamarija Negulic.
Jurijs Geidons was another first-time exhibitor who left “thoroughly impressed.”
Exhibitor Jurijs Geidons.
“The showground was spacious and hassle free, with easy parking, tent rentals, delicious food, affordable drinks and generous prizes. We especially appreciated that the rings stayed in the same location, making it easier to manage our dogs,” he notes. “Organizing an outdoor night show is no small feat, but they pulled it off beautifully. Congratulations to the organizers. Be sure to mark your calendars for Istra 2025 — it’s an event not to miss!”
To that end, next year’s show dates are July 31 through August 3, 2025. Be sure to join us!
Ev and David’s Magical Mystery Tour of Slovenia
By Evalyn Gregory, Puppy Supreme BIS judge, and David Haddock, Veteran Supreme BIS judge
Our recent journey to the Slovenia Summer Dog Shows was an experience we will never forget. It began with our arrival at the Venice airport, where we were warmly greeted by Dusan Travnikar of Serbia, an internationally known judge and our driver for the entire stay. From that moment, we knew we were in for something special.
The drive from Venice through the stunning landscapes of Slovenia set the stage for a week filled with incredible food, exquisite wine and unforgettable moments. Each day, we were looked after by Masa Siroka, whose exceptional hospitality truly elevated our experience. Masa, herself a respected judge, met us each morning at the hotel Grand Koper, ensuring that every detail was taken care of, making our time at the shows seamless. Her understanding of the events and the needs of the participants made her an invaluable part of our stay.
The first night of the shows began at 7 p.m., just as the golden light of the setting sun bathed the grounds. Excitement filled the air, but nature had other plans — a sudden and heavy rainstorm swept across the grounds, causing a delay. In true Slovenian spirit, the local club members quickly rallied, managing the tents and arrangements with such efficiency that we remained comfortable, warm and dry despite the downpour. The food continued to flow, accompanied by local wines, including the crisp and refreshing Malvazija, the robust and full-bodied Refošk, and the delicate but flavorful Teran. These wines were generously poured, ensuring the evening’s pleasure was uninterrupted. Aperol spritzes were also available for those seeking a refreshing touch of Italian flair.
When the rain finally subsided, the show resumed without missing a beat until we concluded the final judging around 5 a.m.!
Each night featured a formal yet friendly introduction and commentary by two knowledgeable dog enthusiasts. Among them was Petru Muntean from Romania, whose presence added an air of panache to the ceremonies, elevating the entire event with his charm and expertise. Each of the four dog shows was a spectacular affair, with participants from more than 40 countries in attendance. It was clear that everyone, both human and canine, was pleased to be there each evening, contributing to the vibrant, international atmosphere of the event.
We were thrilled to reunite with our dear friend Dennis Kuzelj and his wonderful companion, Inna. It was also a true pleasure to judge alongside legends like Ann Ingram from Ireland, Liz Cartledge from England, and Stefan Sinko of Slovenia. Their presence, along with many other notable canine experts we met for the first time, added special significance to the event, reminding us of the deep ties and shared passion that bind the global dog community together. Watching longtime friends Dusan and Igor Selimovic of Croatia recall past memories with great laughter is something we shall always remember.
Throughout our stay, the culinary delights were a highlight. Every day, we were treated to local meals prepared by a talented chef who took pride in showcasing the best of Slovenian cuisine. The fish, in particular, was a standout — fresh, perfectly seasoned, and a true reflection of the region’s culinary prowess. One of the most memorable dishes was the hand-made pasta with truffles, an indulgence that epitomized the richness of the local flavors.
Our last day provided the perfect crescendo to an already unforgettable trip. We were treated to a private cruise in the Adriatic Sea, complete with an onboard chef who prepared a fresh catch that we enjoyed with great wines like Malvazija and Refošk. The warm sun, crystal-clear waters, and a refreshing swim made the day feel like a dream. Afterward, a quick shower set the stage for the next adventure — a short trip to a fantastic hilltop castle. There, we enjoyed an incredible cocktail hour with breathtaking views, followed by a final five-star dinner.
Having attended dog shows and experienced hospitality all over the world, the Istra shows and the warmth we encountered in Slovenia remain unequaled in our memory. We are truly grateful for the entire experience, one that will stay with us forever. Book it!