The Finnish Kennel Club marks its jubilee year in 2014

The Finnish Kennel Club traces its roots to 11 May 1889. On that day, a group of dog and hunting enthusiasts gathered to found Suomen Kennelklubi. Over the decades, canine hobbies have become popular across the entire nation and Finland is today home to more than 650,000 dogs. The popularity of dogs is also reflected in the number of Finnish Kennel Club members – membership rose to a record 150,015 at the beginning of 2014.

Dog hobbies and the canine sector were explored extensively at the Finnish Kennel Club's KoiraExpo seminar on 8-9 February. Top speakers like Ben Furman and Tommy Wirén from Finland were present at Expo & Convention Centre Helsinki to speak about topics such as the personalities, health and wellbeing of dogs. KoiraExpo's Saturday evening culminated in the 125th jubilee year gala event.

Two dog-themed books will be published during the jubilee year: Kaija Unhola's 125-year history of the Finnish Kennel Club and Tapio Eerola's book about Finland's domestic breeds.

A historical exhibition has been put together to mark the jubilee year. It will be on display at KoiraExpo, the FCI World Dog Show and the Koira2014 event, in addition to which it can be seen at the Finnish Hunting Museum from March onwards.

The Finnish Kennel Club's jubilee year will be a feature of the following events:

KoiraExpo 2014
8-9 February, Expo & Convention Centre Helsinki

125th jubilee year gala 
8 February, Expo & Convention Centre Helsinki

National Dog Day
24 April, Finnish Kennel Club Charity Match Show, Finnish Hunting Museum, Riihimäki

Council seminar 2014
24 May, Hanasaari, Espoo

XXI International Outdoor Fair 2014
5-8 June, Riihimäki

FCI World Dog Show 2014
8-10 August, Expo & Convention Centre Helsinki

Council seminar 2014
22 November, Hanasaari

Koira2014
6-7 December, Expo & Convention Centre Helsinki