The world champion boxer 2023 from Montenegro, Oscar of ELAS who has detected explosives and drugs, the dog that guides people with visual impairments and also famous dogs, who have passed through the small screen, are some of our four-legged friends who will be found next weekend, at Discover Dogs 2024 – Dog Festival, at TIF.

More than 400 dogs per day, from more than 15 countries will participate as part of the festival in the two international morphological exhibitions, while there will be parallel activities, games and classes for people who live or intend to live with dogs.

Speaking to the Athenian Macedonian News Agency, the president of the Canine Club of the Regional Unity of Thessaloniki, Savvas Tsegas, emphasized that there is a huge interest in participating in the original festival, pointing out that the dogs will not take part in beauty pageants, but will compete in two exhibitions and prove additionally that they are man’s best friends.

“There will be conformation competitions with dogs from almost all the Balkan countries, but with a very large participation from our country as well. They will be judged not on their beauty – as all dogs are beautiful – but according to the standards and norms of each breed. They will compete based on how much each participant approaches or deviates from the international standard of their breed,” explained Mr. Tsegas.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet dogs – TV stars, who participated in TV series, dogs with “gallons” and rescue dogs.

The attention has already been drawn to Oscar, who counts many successes as he contributes to the work of EL.AS. Expert in finding narcotics, detecting explosive devices and reinforcing foot patrols, he is loyal to duty and has proven how important his contribution to police work is, always of course under the guidance of his trainers.

Vassilis Goulielmos, who is in charge of the event, speaking to the radio station “FM 104.9 Agency” noted that the innovative for Greek standards Festival for our four-legged friends and their guardians, promises not only knowledge, but also plenty of fun and games , through a series of rich activities for the whole family, with free entry and parking at the TIF premises.

“Visitors will have the opportunity to learn as well as have fun. They will see training tricks, they will learn secrets related to issues of daily living, there will be cooperative games with dogs and children, while they will also admire rare breeds and specially trained dogs, such as the wonderful Oscar of the Greek Academy of Sciences, theater-pedagogical games, storytelling and face painting” he noted.

The organizers point out that their main goal is to raise awareness and inform the public on issues of dog welfare, social responsibility, rights and obligations of guardians, through participatory research learning methods and an interdisciplinary dimension.

They also note that those who find themselves in TIF should be aware that only dogs that are microchipped and have an up-to-date health record will be allowed entry.